institutionalized discrimination A long tradition of studies in sociology has shown that discrimination against some groups in society can result from the majority simply adhering unthinkingly to the existing organizational and institutional rules or social norms. Prejudice, stereotyping, and covert or overt hostility need not be factors in the exploitation of one group by another, or in the unfair distribution of rewards. Institutionalized sexism and institutionalized racism are the most common manifestations of this phenomenon. See also UNINTENDED OR UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES.

discrimination, institutionalized See INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION.