Another time: England, 1936

Traditionally, prejudice is considered racial, ethnic, or religious hostility. Alternatively, prejudice can be considered a universal neuropsychiatric disorder that is rooted in our autonomic nervous system, which automatically controls our temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, digestion, sexuality, and emotional expression.

Our autonomic nervous system consists of two vital, but opposing branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system, which originates in our chest and abdomen, responds to fear and pain with rigidity, hate, and “fight or flight.” The parasympathetic nervous system, which originates in our head and pelvis, responds to trust and pleasure with relaxation, flexibility, vulnerability, and creativity. (Note that “sympathetic” and “parasympathetic” are scientific terms that refer to biological, not psychological, responses.)

Ideally, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are in dynamic balance, so that we can function comfortably and appropriately. But just as fear and pain can overpower trust and pleasure, the sympathetic system can overpower the parasympathetic system. Prolonged sympathetic dominance (sympathicotonia), which is very common, causes us to fear and hate the vulnerability and creativity of the parasympathetic system.

I propose that prejudice is the externalization and projection of the unconscious fear and hatred we all feel for the vulnerability and creativity of the parasympathetic nervous system. Groups which embody characteristics of the head or pelvis are unconsciously associated with the parasympathetic nervous system, and therefore feared and hated.

Two groups are lightning rods for prejudice: Jewish people and black people. Jewish people are often stereotyped as intellectual, and therefore associated with the head. Black people are often stereotyped as athletic, and therefore associated with the pelvis. This neuroanatomical polarity of Jewish people and black people helps to explain their love-hate relationship. Prejudice against women, children, the elderly, and the disabled is based on the meek, compliant nature of the parasympathetic nervous system as a whole. (Note that my theory does not endorse or promote any stereotypes; rather, it seeks to explain why certain seemingly positive stereotypes can ironically lead to prejudice.)

In summary, my theory, which I call “neuroprejudice,” states that prejudice is a universal neuropsychiatric disorder rooted in neuroanatomy. Specifically, prejudice is a projection of the fear and hatred we all feel for our vulnerability and creativity, which the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system provides for us. The antidote for prejudice, and most of society’s woes, is to safeguard the meek, compliant, creative parasympathetic system, by responsibly promoting trust and pleasure, not fear and pain.