Read the passage given below and answer the question that follow:
A stereotype is a generalised characteristic which is applied to all members of a group regardless of whether that feature is true for the particular individual or not. For example, a common stereotype is that the average man is aggressive and the average woman gentle. In reality, this is not true; some men are gentle and some women are aggressive. If stereotypes are used during interviews as a basis for judgement, some very wrong and dangerous decision can be made.
Using stereotypes, rather than gathering evidence from individuals about their abilities, can lead to costly mistakes. It is not easy to suspend judgement, for it is normal to predict what an unknown person will look like and how they are likely to behave. That is why it is so important that major decisions, especially those concerning appointments, make use of data-gathering techniques that are known to be good predictors of subsequent performance.
The words 'prejudice' and 'prejudgement' have the same roots: both those decisions that are made in advance. As the whole process of selection involves making decisions about the applicants on very small amounts of detail, care is needed to ensure that it is possible to discriminate between those candidates who do not meet the criteria and those who are likely to do the job. Difficulties occur when decisions are made on factors other than job-related criteria.
Which of the following have the same roots implying that decisions are made in advance ?
(A) Stereotypes
(B) Abilities
(C) Prejudice
(D) Judgement
(E) Prejudgement
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (C) and (E) Only
The last paragraph says: "The words 'prejudice' and 'prejudgement' have the same roots", and both refer to decisions made in advance. The prefix pre- means "before", and both words go back to judging (Latin "judicium", judgement) before the facts are known.
(A) Stereotypes — Incorrect.
- Wrong link: stereotypes lead to hasty judgements, but the word has a different origin and is not named as sharing the root.
(B) Abilities — Incorrect.
- Wrong link: abilities are what interviews should gather evidence about.
- The word has no link with judging in advance.
(C) Prejudice — Correct.
- Named in the passage.
(D) Judgement — Incorrect.
- Only partly true: it shares the "judge" part, but without pre- it does not imply that the decision is made in advance.
(E) Prejudgement — Correct.
- Named in the passage.