PsychologyAttitudes and Social Cognition

A cluster of ideas regarding the characteristics of a specific group,…

A cluster of ideas regarding the characteristics of a specific group, which all members of that group are assumed to possess, is called:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → a stereotype

The description is of a set of ideas held about a group, so it names the thinking side of prejudice, the stereotype, and not a group of people or a sense of belonging.

NCERT (2026-27): “PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION …
As will be discussed below in the section on social cognition, a stereotype is a cluster of ideas regarding the characteristics of a specific group. All members belonging to this group are assumed to possess these characteristics. Often, stereotypes consist of undesirable characteristics about the target group, and they lead to negative attitudes or prejudices towards members of specific groups. …”