Prejudice

Definition

Prejudice refers to a preconceived, often negative, judgment or attitude towards an individual or group based on their perceived characteristics, without adequate justification or real knowledge of the person or group. It is a cognitive bias that can lead to discrimination and social conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prejudice can be based on a variety of characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
2. Prejudice often leads to the formation of in-groups (those perceived as similar) and out-groups (those perceived as different), which can foster social division and conflict.
3. Prejudice can manifest in both explicit (conscious and openly expressed) and implicit (unconscious and unintentional) forms.
4. The development of prejudice is influenced by various factors, including socialization, cognitive biases, and the need for social identity and belonging.
5. Prejudice can have significant negative consequences, such as limiting opportunities, perpetuating social inequalities, and contributing to mental and physical health issues for the targets of prejudice.

Review Questions

• Explain how prejudice is different from stereotyping and discrimination, and how these concepts are related.
  • Prejudice is a preconceived, often negative, judgment or attitude towards an individual or group based on their perceived characteristics. Stereotyping involves the oversimplified and exaggerated beliefs about a particular group, while discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people. Prejudice can lead to the formation of stereotypes, which in turn can result in discriminatory behavior towards the targeted group. However, prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination are distinct but interrelated concepts, as prejudice can influence the development of stereotypes and drive discriminatory actions.
• Describe the role of cognitive biases in the development and perpetuation of prejudice.
  • Cognitive biases, such as the fundamental attribution error, in-group bias, and confirmation bias, can contribute to the development and perpetuation of prejudice. The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining the behavior of others. In-group bias is the tendency to favor and hold positive attitudes towards one's own group, while holding negative attitudes towards out-groups. Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek and interpret information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs and prejudices. These cognitive biases can lead individuals to form and maintain prejudiced attitudes, even in the face of contradictory evidence.
• Analyze the potential long-term consequences of prejudice on individuals, groups, and society as a whole, and discuss strategies for reducing prejudice.
  • Prejudice can have significant long-term consequences, both for the individuals and groups targeted by prejudice, as well as for society as a whole. At the individual level, prejudice can limit opportunities, contribute to mental and physical health issues, and perpetuate social inequalities. For targeted groups, prejudice can lead to marginalization, exclusion, and the perpetuation of systemic oppression. On a societal level, prejudice can foster social division, conflict, and the erosion of social cohesion. Strategies for reducing prejudice include education, promoting positive intergroup contact, addressing implicit biases, and implementing policies and laws that protect against discrimination. Ultimately, addressing the root causes of prejudice, such as cognitive biases and the need for social identity, is crucial for creating a more just and equitable society.

Related terms

Stereotype: A simplified, often exaggerated, belief or perception about a particular group of people that is not based on actual experience or evidence.

Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability.

Implicit Bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence our actions and decisions without our conscious awareness.