Question

Robert merton pointed out that we remember abraham lincoln, one of americaÂ’s great heroes, as being frugal, thrifty, and sparing, yet some people might describe these same traits differently when a member of some other racial or ethnic group possesses them. for example, merton suggested that some white americans who would describe lincoln this way might describe an asian american who has these same qualities as being stingy, miserly, and penny pinching. what explains this double standard?

Answer 1

The double standard exists because of prejudice. There is an idea that Abraham Lincoln was a great man so in our minds he doesn't exist as negative things. If we have prejudice towards others, such as foreigners or people of other races, we might interpret the same qualities and negative just because we don't like the person.