Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudice

• A preconceived notion or attitude, usually negative, towards a group or individual based on limited information or stereotypes
• Can be implicit (unconscious) or explicit (conscious)
• Often rooted in fear, ignorance, or past experiences
• Can be directed towards race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or other social groups

Discrimination

• The unfair or unjust treatment of individuals or groups based on prejudice
• Can take many forms, including:
  • Institutional discrimination (policies or practices that disadvantage certain groups)
  • Individual discrimination (personal biases or actions)
  • Structural discrimination (systemic barriers or biases)
• Can result in unequal access to resources, opportunities, or rights

Stereotypes

• Overly simplified or inaccurate beliefs about a group or individual based on limited information
• Often perpetuate negative or inaccurate attitudes towards a group
• Can be based on demographic characteristics, such as race, gender, or age
• Can be explicit (conscious) or implicit (unconscious)

Relationships between Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotypes

• Prejudice can lead to discrimination, as biased attitudes influence behavior towards certain groups
• Stereotypes can reinforce prejudice and contribute to discrimination
• Discrimination can perpetuate stereotypes by limiting opportunities and experiences for marginalized groups

Consequences of Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotypes

• Negative impact on mental and physical health of targeted groups
• Social and economic inequality
• Limited opportunities and access to resources
• Perpetuation of social injustice and inequality

Prejudice

• A negative attitude towards a group or individual based on limited information or stereotypes, which can be implicit or explicit
• Rooted in fear, ignorance, or past experiences, and can be directed towards various social groups, including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and age

Discrimination

• Unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on prejudice, which can take three forms: institutional, individual, and structural
• Results in unequal access to resources, opportunities, or rights, and can be manifested through policies, practices, or personal biases

Stereotypes

• Overly simplified or inaccurate beliefs about a group or individual based on limited information, which can be explicit or implicit
• Often perpetuate negative or inaccurate attitudes towards a group, and can be based on demographic characteristics, such as race, gender, or age

Interconnectedness

• Prejudice leads to discrimination, as biased attitudes influence behavior towards certain groups
• Stereotypes reinforce prejudice and contribute to discrimination, while discrimination perpetuates stereotypes by limiting opportunities and experiences for marginalized groups

Consequences

• Negative impact on mental and physical health of targeted groups
• Social and economic inequality, resulting in limited opportunities and access to resources
• Perpetuation of social injustice and inequality, affecting the overall well-being of individuals and society