Which statement best defines prejudice?

Which statement best defines prejudice?

• A. An irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, group, race, or characteristics.
• B. A temporary feeling of goodwill toward a group.
• C. A legal rule governing rights.
• D. A preference for one group over another based on facts.

Answer: (A)

Prejudice is an irrational, hostile attitude toward people because of their membership in a group. The statement that best defines prejudice describes this irrational attitude of hostility directed at an individual, group, race, or characteristics, which captures the core idea that prejudice is a biased mindset not grounded in reason or evidence. The other ideas describe things that aren’t prejudice: goodwill toward a group is the opposite of hostility; a legal rule is about law, not attitude; a preference based on facts is a rational, evidence-based choice, not an irrational bias. (Remember that prejudice is the mindset, while discrimination refers to acting on biased beliefs.)

Prejudice is an irrational, hostile attitude toward people because of their membership in a group. The statement that best defines prejudice describes this irrational attitude of hostility directed at an individual, group, race, or characteristics, which captures the core idea that prejudice is a biased mindset not grounded in reason or evidence.

The other ideas describe things that aren’t prejudice: goodwill toward a group is the opposite of hostility; a legal rule is about law, not attitude; a preference based on facts is a rational, evidence-based choice, not an irrational bias. (Remember that prejudice is the mindset, while discrimination refers to acting on biased beliefs.)