Prejudice vs. Discrimination: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 5, 2024
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience, while discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on such prejudice.
Key Differences
Prejudice refers to a preconceived opinion or bias against an individual or group, often formed without factual evidence or direct experience. Discrimination, on the other hand, is the actual behavior or action, usually negative, that stems from prejudiced beliefs, resulting in unfair treatment of people based on their perceived characteristics.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Prejudice is an internal attitude that can exist without being openly expressed. It often involves stereotypes and can be based on race, gender, age, or other factors. Discrimination, in contrast, is the external manifestation of these attitudes, where individuals or groups are treated differently or unjustly due to prejudiced notions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
While prejudice is a matter of personal belief, discrimination extends to actions and practices. Prejudice might not always lead to discrimination, but discrimination always has its roots in some form of prejudice, whether conscious or unconscious.
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Jan 05, 2024
Prejudice can be subtle and may not always be evident to others. It is an attitude that resides in the mind. Discrimination, however, is often observable and involves specific actions or decisions that adversely affect a group or individual.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Prejudice can exist in anyone and can be based on misinformation or lack of understanding. Discrimination takes this a step further by acting on these prejudices, resulting in behaviors like exclusion, avoidance, or biased treatment.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Can be based on stereotypes, not factual
Actions based on prejudiced beliefs
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Jan 05, 2024
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Prejudice and Discrimination Definitions
Prejudice
Limited perspective leading to biased opinions.
Her prejudice was a result of her narrow-minded upbringing.
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Discrimination
Treating people unequally based on their characteristics.
The company faced accusations of gender discrimination.
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Prejudice
An unfair dislike of something or someone.
Her prejudice against the new policy was evident.
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Dec 15, 2023
Discrimination
Acting unfairly towards a person or group.
Discrimination in hiring practices was evident.
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Dec 15, 2023
Prejudice
Judging someone based on group characteristics.
His prejudice led him to stereotype all teenagers as irresponsible.
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Dec 15, 2023
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Discrimination
Actions influenced by preconceived notions.
His decision was seen as discrimination based on race.
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Dec 15, 2023
Prejudice
A belief formed before having adequate evidence.
His prejudice against modern art was a mere preconception.
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Dec 15, 2023
Discrimination
Deliberately leaving out certain groups or individuals.
The policy led to discrimination against non-residents.
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Dec 15, 2023
Prejudice
The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions
“This is not actually a volume of the best short stories … These are just the stories that I like best, and I am full of prejudice and strong opinions” (Ann Patchett).
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts
A boy with a prejudice against unfamiliar foods.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular social group, such as a race or the adherents of a religion.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
Treatment or consideration based on class or category, such as race or gender, rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
Detriment or harm caused to a person, especially in a legal case
The delay operated to her prejudice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
Preclusionary effect, preventing further pursuit of one's interests
The case was dismissed with prejudice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.
Sexual or racial discrimination
Reverse discrimination
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
To fill with prejudice or cause to judge with prejudice
My rural upbringing has prejudiced me against living in the city.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
(uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
To affect detrimentally or harmfully by a judgment or act
Negative media coverage prejudiced people's opinion of the mayor.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
(countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences.
To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
(countable) A preconception, any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.
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Discrimination
The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart.
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Prejudice
(countable) An irrational hostile attitude, fear or hatred towards a particular group, race or religion.
I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.
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Discrimination
The arbitrary imposition of unequal tariffs for substantially the same service.
A difference in rates, not based upon any corresponding difference in cost, constitutes a case of discrimination.
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
(transitive) To have a negative impact on (someone's position, chances etc.).
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
The cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
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Dec 13, 2023
Discrimination
Denying equal treatment to certain groups.
Discrimination against older workers was prevalent.
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Dec 15, 2023
Prejudice
An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge.
Though often misled by prejudice and passion, he was emphatically an honest man.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
England and France might, through their amity,Breed him some prejudice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman.
Suffer not any beloved study to prejudice your mind so far as to despise all other learning.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause.
Seek how may prejudice the foe.
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
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Dec 13, 2023
Prejudice
Unwillingness to accept differing views or people.
His prejudice against different cultures displayed his intolerance.
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Dec 15, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are prejudice and discrimination legal?
Many forms of discrimination are illegal, but prejudice as a belief is not regulated by law.
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Jan 05, 2024
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can prejudice be positive?
Prejudice, even if seemingly positive, can still lead to unfair treatment and stereotypes.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can individuals fight against prejudice?
Yes, individuals can combat prejudice through education, awareness, and challenging their own biases.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can prejudice exist without discrimination?
Yes, prejudice can exist as a belief without leading to discriminatory actions.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is discrimination always intentional?
No, discrimination can sometimes be unintentional or systemic.
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Jan 05, 2024
What is prejudice?
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or bias against an individual or group.
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Jan 05, 2024
Are there laws against discrimination?
Yes, there are numerous laws globally against various forms of discrimination.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is it possible to have discrimination without prejudice?
Typically, discrimination stems from some form of prejudice, whether conscious or subconscious.
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Jan 05, 2024
How can discrimination manifest in the workplace?
Discrimination in the workplace can manifest as biased hiring practices, unequal pay, or harassment.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can institutional policies perpetuate discrimination?
Yes, institutional policies can perpetuate discrimination if they create unequal opportunities.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is prejudice a learned behavior?
Prejudice is often learned from societal norms, media, and personal experiences.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can discrimination be based on anything other than race?
Discrimination can be based on gender, age, religion, disability, and more.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is combating prejudice a collective responsibility?
Combating prejudice is a collective responsibility that involves society as a whole.
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Jan 05, 2024
What role does education play in addressing discrimination?
Education plays a crucial role in addressing discrimination by promoting understanding and empathy.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can discrimination be subtle?
Yes, discrimination can be subtle, such as in the form of microaggressions.
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Jan 05, 2024
How does prejudice affect society?
Prejudice can lead to social divisions, inequality, and tension.
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Jan 05, 2024
What are the effects of discrimination?
Discrimination can lead to psychological, social, and economic harm to the affected individuals.
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Jan 05, 2024
How can one reduce their own prejudices?
One can reduce prejudices by seeking diverse experiences, education, and self-reflection.
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Jan 05, 2024
How does prejudice differ from racism?
Racism is a type of prejudice specifically based on race.
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Jan 05, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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