From Pine View Farm

Marketing Malice 0

One of my post categories is “Hate Sells.” We see and hear persons trading in it every day.

At Psychology Today Blogs, Richard Lettieri explores why hate sells. He points out that, in the past few years, hate crimes–defined as “a crime against a person or property that is motivated by prejudice or hatred toward that group”–have increased, while other types of crimes have decreased. In his article, he explores the reasons for this. An excerpt:

During periods of economic disruption and uncertainty, criminologists have documented that hate crimes increase toward minorities and immigrant groups, which are perceived as the drivers of social problems and economic dislocation. This kind of “otherizing” is a defensive psychological reaction that functions to assuage feelings of helplessness and fear.</blockquote>

It is a timely and worthwhile read.

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