Anil, a first-year student from Nagpur, is moving into a college hostel in a distant city. Before reaching, he has made up his mind that students from one faraway state will be rude and unfriendly. He has heard this from his cousins but has never met anyone from that state. He learns that his roommate is from that very state and that the two will share a room for the whole year. Anil also feels sure that students from his own home town are more honest and talented than others, though he has no evidence for it.
How would a sociologist classify Anil's belief about students from his own home town?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A prejudice, since the term can also apply to a favourable pre-judgement
Option (1) Not a prejudice, since prejudice means a negative pre-judgement of others — Incorrect. The word prejudice is generally used for negative pre-judgements, but it can also apply to favourable ones. Limiting it to negative views leaves out Anil's belief in his own town's superiority.
Option (2) A prejudice, since the term can also apply to a favourable pre-judgement — Correct. A prejudice is an opinion formed before any evidence, and it may be positive or negative. Anil believes people from his home town are better without any evidence, which is a favourable prejudice.
Option (3) Not a prejudice, since it is not held towards members of another group — Incorrect. A person may be prejudiced in favour of members of his own caste or group. So a belief about one's own group, held without evidence, still counts as a prejudice.
Option (4) A form of discrimination, since it favours his own group over others — Incorrect. Discrimination refers to actual behaviour, such as denying others a job or a room. Anil only holds a belief and has not acted on it, so it stays at the level of attitude.
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