Final answer:
Explicit prejudice has decreased over time as reflected in the change of social attitudes and norms, and the passage of anti-discrimination laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There is evidence of ongoing societal efforts to tackle various forms of discrimination including sexism and colorism, and studies suggest legal changes can reduce discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evidence showing that explicit prejudice has decreased over the years can primarily be seen in changes in social attitudes and norms. This decrease in overt prejudice is reflected in the reality that holding egalitarian views has become socially desirable, resulting in most people not showing extreme racial bias on measures of their explicit attitudes. Legal changes have often contributed to shifts in attitudes and behaviors; for instance, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited segregation and discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, and sex, which encouraged integration in various sectors including education and employment. Despite these improvements, challenges remain such as de facto segregation and implicit biases that continue to persist.
Furthermore, there has been a trend toward recognizing and addressing various forms of discrimination. This includes efforts in acknowledging and combating not just racial bias, but also other forms like sexism and colorism. These efforts are coupled with laws and regulations that aim to prevent discrimination, such as fair housing laws and equal employment opportunities. The evidence of progress can also be seen in studies showing that the passage of certain reforms, like same-sex marriage laws, can lead to decreased discrimination and improved labor market outcomes for affected groups.