Glossary / Lexicon

Prejudice refers to an attitude, usually negative, towards the members of some Group on the basis of their membership of that group.

Prejudice is a term used in psychology to describe negative attitudes and beliefs about individuals or groups based on preconceived notions or stereotypes. Prejudice can be directed towards any group of people, including those based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, among others.

Examples of prejudice include making assumptions about someone's intelligence or abilities based on their race, assuming that all members of a certain religion are terrorists, or treating someone differently because of their sexual orientation.

Prejudice often arises from a lack of understanding or exposure to people who are different from oneself. For example, someone who has grown up in a homogenous community may hold prejudiced beliefs about people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds due to a lack of exposure to diversity.

Prejudice can also be reinforced by social norms and institutions. For example, discrimination in housing or employment can reinforce negative beliefs and attitudes towards certain groups of people.

Prejudice can have a number of negative consequences, both for individuals and for society as a whole. For example, individuals who experience prejudice may feel alienated or marginalized, which can negatively impact their mental health and well-being. Prejudice can also lead to discrimination, which can limit opportunities and access to resources for individuals who are targeted.

Similar concepts to prejudice include discrimination, which involves unfair treatment or behavior towards individuals or groups based on their membership in a particular group, and stereotyping, which involves making assumptions about individuals or groups based on preconceived notions or characteristics attributed to that group.

Prejudice can also be closely related to concepts such as implicit bias, which refers to unconscious biases or associations that people hold towards certain groups, and microaggressions, which are subtle forms of discrimination or prejudice that can occur in everyday interactions.

Efforts to combat prejudice often involve education and increasing exposure to diversity, as well as promoting empathy and understanding towards individuals who are different from oneself. In addition, laws and policies can be implemented to prevent discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or characteristics.

In conclusion, prejudice is a term used in psychology to describe negative attitudes and beliefs about individuals or groups based on preconceived notions or stereotypes. Examples of prejudice include making assumptions about someone's abilities based on their race or treating someone differently because of their sexual orientation. Prejudice can have negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole, and efforts to combat prejudice often involve education, increasing exposure to diversity, and promoting empathy and understanding. Similar concepts to prejudice include discrimination, stereotyping, implicit bias, and microaggressions.