Which term refers to an unjustified, usually negative attitude toward a group, including stereotypes and predispositions to discriminatory action?

• A. Norm
• B. Culture
• C. Groupthink
• D. Prejudice

Answer: (D)

Prejudice is an unjustified, usually negative attitude toward a group that often includes stereotypes and a readiness to discriminate. It combines a negative feeling or evaluation of the group with generalizations about the group (stereotypes) and a tendency to act in ways that would disadvantage members of that group (discriminatory actions). In other words, prejudice is the attitude behind biased treatment, whereas stereotypes are the beliefs about the group and discrimination is the actual behavior.

Think of it alongside related ideas: norms are expected ways of behaving within a group, culture is the shared beliefs and practices of a community, and groupthink is a phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a group leads to poor decisions. Those terms describe different concepts, whereas prejudice specifically targets a group with negative feelings and predispositions toward discriminatory action.