Final answer:
The phrase "I had better get them before they get me" represents prejudice, a negative attitude based on group membership, and is not indicative of altruism, empathy, or tolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone expresses deep resentment toward a group of people and uses the saying "I had better get them, before they get me," this feeling and behavior can be categorized as an example of prejudice. Prejudice is a negative attitude and a set of emotions directed at individuals solely based on their membership within a specific social group.
This can encompass various aspects of identity such as race, gender, nationality, or any other characteristic that defines a social group. In contrast, altruism is a selfless helping of others, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, and tolerance refers to the acceptance of differing views, practices, and characteristics.
The example given illustrates the hostility and the anticipatory defense mechanism that originates from a generalized and unfounded bias against others, which is a classic hallmark of prejudiced thought. In society, these negative attitudes can sometimes escalate to discrimination, which is biased actions taken against individuals because of their group membership.
While learning about the harmful effects of prejudice is crucial, it is also important to understand that steps can be taken to reduce these tendencies, such as engaging in positive interactions, education, and fostering empathy towards those who are different from oneself.