The term that literally means 'pre-judgement', that is, an opinion formed in advance of any familiarity with the subject, before considering any available evidence is ______________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Prejudice
Option (1) Stratification — Incorrect. Social stratification is the term sociologists use for a system by which categories of people in a society are ranked in a hierarchy; this hierarchy shapes their identity, their relations with others and their access to resources and opportunities. It names a society-wide ranking, not an opinion formed in advance.
Option (2) Discrimination — Incorrect. If prejudice describes attitudes and opinions, discrimination refers to actual behaviour towards another group or individual, such as refusing a person a job because of gender or religion. It is an act, not a pre-judgement.
Option (3) Prejudice — Correct. Prejudices are pre-conceived opinions or attitudes held by members of one group towards another. The word literally means ‘pre-judgement’, an opinion formed before any familiarity with the subject or any evidence, and it may be positive or negative.
Option (4) Stereotypes — Incorrect. Stereotypes are fixed and inflexible characterisations of a group of people, such as calling a whole community ‘lazy’. Prejudices are often grounded in stereotypes, but the word that means ‘pre-judgement’ is prejudice.
NCERT (2025-26): “Social Inequality … Prejudices refer to pre-conceived opinions or attitudes held by members of one group towards another. The word literally means ‘pre-judgement’, that is, an opinion formed in advance of any familiarity with the subject, before considering any available evidence. A prejudiced person’s preconceived views are often based on hearsay rather than on direct evidence, and are resistant to change even in the face of new information. Prejudice may be either positive or negative. Although the word is generally used for negative pre-judgements, it can also apply to favourable pre-judgement. For example, a person may be prejudiced in favour of members of his/her own caste or group and – without any evidence – believe them to be superior to members of other castes or groups.…” “…Prejudices are often grounded in stereotypes, fixed and inflexible characterisations of a group of people. Stereotypes are often applied to ethnic and racial groups and to women.…” “…If prejudice describes attitudes and opinions, discrimination refers to actual behaviour towards another group or individual. Discrimination can be seen in practices that disqualify members of one group from opportunities open to others, as when a person is refused a job because of their gender or religion.…” |