Difference between Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudice and Discrimination are closely related concepts, yet they differ in their impact. Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a person or group, often based on stereotypes or generalizations. Discrimination, on the other hand, involves actions or behaviors that result in unfair treatment or disadvantage towards individuals or groups based on their perceived differences.

What is Prejudice?

Prejudice refers to an illogical opinion, thought, or sentiment developed regarding a person or group in advance, often without sufficient knowledge, fact, or reason. It refers to a preconception, which is a negative attitude or judgment held by members of one group against another based on incomplete and erroneous knowledge about the group. Prejudice may be beneficial or bad. However, the phrase is mostly used to describe negative prejudices in which members of a certain group are perceived as inferior due to race, gender, country, ethnicity, class, or religion rather than personal experience. There are several sorts of biases that occur in society. These biases can lead to discriminatory conduct and contribute to the marginalization of specific groups in society.

Key Features of Prejudice:

• Prejudice is an irrational opinion formed about individuals or groups without adequate information.
• It often involves negative attitudes or judgments based on stereotypes rather than personal experience.
• Prejudice can target various aspects such as race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
• It can lead to discrimination and marginalization of specific groups within society.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is the unfair or uneven treatment of persons or groups because of their perceived differences or traits. It refers to acts or behaviors that deny specific people equal chances or privileges. Discrimination may occur in a variety of areas, including school, work, housing, and public services. Discrimination can take several forms, including both direct and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination refers to overt acts of unequal treatment, such as refusing to hire someone because of their race or gender. Indirect discrimination occurs when ostensibly neutral laws or regulations disproportionately affect specific groups, causing disadvantage or exclusion.

Key Features of Discrimination:

• Discrimination occurs when we treat members of a specific group differently, often in a negative manner, because of their group identification.
• It is an unjust action directed at someone that demonstrates bias.
• People are most typically prejudiced against based on their age, gender, height, weight, skin color, disease, handicap, marital status, education, speech, dress, socioeconomic position, and so on.

Difference between Prejudice and Discrimination

Basis	Prejudice	Discrimination
Meaning	Prejudice is an unfair and unfounded attitude against a person simply because of his membership in a social group.	Discrimination is the unfair or unfavorable treatment of a person or group by others because he or she belongs to a specific class, group, or category.
Subject	Holding unfavorable or positive judgments on individuals or groups without appropriate knowledge or proof.	This involves treating individuals or groups unequally or denying them chances, rights, or benefits based on their perceived traits.
Based on	Can be based on criteria including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other social identities.	Can be based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or other protected characteristics.
What is it	Misapprehension that exists solely in the mind	The expression of bias and prejudice.
Expressed Through	Can be stated as ideas, beliefs, feelings, or views that impact an individual’s perspective or judgment of others.	Can be exhibited through acts, attitudes, or decisions that result in exclusion, marginalization, or disadvantage of individuals or groups.
Rooted By	Can be founded in ignorance, fear, prejudices, or biases that perpetuate unfavorable views against certain persons or groups.	Discrimination, stereotypes, or institutional practices can promote uneven treatment or create impediments for specific persons or groups.
Nature	Non-conscious.	Conscious and Non-conscious
Caused By	Prejudice is caused by stereotyping.	Discrimination is caused by Prejudice.
Involves	Involves a negative attitude towards a person or group.	Involves an unfair treatment of an individual or group.
Component	Cognitive and effective.	Behavioral.
Legal Implication	A lawsuit be taken against it.	A law suit may be done against it.

Conclusion

In a word, prejudice is having an opinion on someone or something without understanding the facts or proof. Inner thoughts and feelings may not necessarily lead to action. Unlike discrimination, which implies treating individuals unequally or differently based on their feelings and desires, which is quite obvious. These are anti-social behaviors that occur in practically every country and can produce stress and conflict among diverse groups, as well as harm to the group to whom they are intended.

Prejudice and Discrimination- FAQs

Why does discrimination exist?

Discrimination occurs when individuals make negative judgments about someone or their culture. This may be attributed to the belief that one’s own culture is superior to others, and it manifests itself frequently as prejudice, stereotyping, and inequity.

What is stereotyping?

Stereotyping is holding broad ideas about a certain community or group of individuals based on a limited understanding of them.

What is inequality?

Inequality in a society means that some parts of a society or community are denied access to some essential resources like education, medical care, and employment.

What do you mean by hostile prejudice?

Hostile prejudice refers to a negative attitude or feeling towards a person or group that is based on stereotypes and leads to discriminatory behavior or actions.

What is benevolent prejudice?

Benevolent prejudice refers to positive attitudes or beliefs about a particular group that are nonetheless based on stereotypes and can still result in patronizing or condescending behavior.

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