Discrimination is a/an _____ component of prejudice.

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → Behavioural

Like any attitude, prejudice has three components.

Option (1) Behavioural — Correct. Prejudice may get translated into discrimination, the behavioural component, whereby people behave in a less positive way towards a particular target group than towards a group they favour. Discrimination is what the person does.

Option (2) Cognitive — Incorrect. The cognitive component of prejudice is the stereotype, a cluster of ideas about the characteristics of a specific group. It lies in thought, not in action.

Option (3) Affective — Incorrect. The cognitive component is often accompanied by dislike or hatred, the affective component. It is a feeling, not a way of behaving.

Option (4) Biogenic — Incorrect. ‘Biogenic’ means arising from biological needs, such as hunger or thirst. Prejudice is learnt, and has no biogenic component.

Note: The term in Option (4), ‘biogenic’, is not in the 2023-24 NCERT, which NTA followed in 2025, and is not in the NCERT book (2025-26) either; it has been explained here for the benefit of the students.

NCERT (2025-26): “Prejudice and Discrimination … Prejudices are examples of attitudes towards a particular group. They are usually negative, and in many cases, may be based on stereotypes (the cognitive component) about the specific group. 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. The cognitive component of prejudice is frequently accompanied by dislike or hatred, the affective component. Prejudice may also get translated into discrimination, the behavioural component, whereby people behave in a less positive way towards a particular target group compared to another group which they favour.…”