Prejudice is an opinion formed without taking the time or care to judge fairly. Such an opinion may be favorable or unfavorable. It is held without regard to the available evidence. In this article, prejudice refers to an unfavorable opinion held in this way about the members of a particular social group. Prejudiced individuals tend to twist, distort, misinterpret, or even ignore facts that conflict with their predetermined opinions. For example, a prejudiced person might believe that all individuals of a certain age, national origin, ethnic group, religion, sex, or region of the country are lazy, violent, stupid, or greedy.
Due to prejudice, people have experienced discrimination. They have been denied jobs, housing, education, or participation in government. In Nazi Germany, extreme prejudice led to the killing of millions of Jews, Roma (sometimes called Gypsies), and other members of minority groups in the 1930’s and during World War II (1939-1945).
A number of elements may contribute to prejudice. These elements include competition, religious ideas, fear of strangers, and extreme nationalism. Prejudice may develop when one group fears that competition from another group will deprive them of prestige, privilege, political power, or economic opportunities. Religious ideas—especially a lack of tolerance for religions other than one’s own—have contributed to prejudice against certain races and religious groups. Some people have suggested that prejudice arises from a natural fear of strangers. Extreme nationalism may cause prejudice by encouraging people to regard foreign characteristics as inferior.
Education, certain types of contact between groups, and institutional change may help reduce prejudice. Education helps correct false generalizations that form the basis of prejudice. Contact between groups is most likely to reduce prejudice when the groups work together for a common cause. Changes in institutions, laws, and customs to reduce discrimination might eliminate some prejudice.
