Prejudice is a biased attitude or belief, while discrimination is an action that results from prejudice.
Here's a breakdown:
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Prejudice: Refers to a preconceived judgment or opinion, often negative, about a person or group of people. It is a thought or feeling, usually based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Prejudice can be based on factors such as race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
- Example: Believing that all teenagers are lazy and irresponsible.
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Discrimination: Refers to the behavior or actions that result from prejudice. It involves treating individuals or groups unfairly based on their membership in a particular group. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, including verbal harassment, denial of opportunities, or even physical violence.
- Example: Refusing to hire a qualified job applicant because of their race.
| Feature | Prejudice | Discrimination |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A preconceived, often negative, attitude. | Action based on prejudice, leading to unfair treatment. |
| Nature | Thought or feeling. | Behavior or action. |
| Manifestation | Beliefs, opinions, biases. | Exclusion, harassment, denial of rights/opportunities. |
| Example | Believing a stereotype about a group. | Refusing service to someone based on their religion. |
In essence: You can be prejudiced without discriminating, but discrimination is always rooted in prejudice (though the prejudiced belief might not always be consciously acknowledged). Someone might hold prejudiced beliefs but not act on them. However, discriminatory actions are the outward manifestation of underlying prejudiced attitudes, either conscious or unconscious. Anti-discrimination laws aim to address these harmful actions.
