A prejudice is a preconceived belief, opinion or judgment especially toward a group of people characterized by their race, social class, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or religion. Also, it means a prioribeliefs (without knowledge of the facts) and includes "any unreasonableattitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence."[1] Although positive and negative prejudice both exist, when used negatively, "prejudice" implies fear and antipathy toward such a group.
- Cognitive Prejudice refers to what people believe to be true: for example, in adherence to a particular metaphysical or methodological philosophy at the expense of other philosophies which may offer a more complete theoretical explanation.
- Affective Prejudice refers to what people like and dislike: for example, in attitudes toward members of particular classes such as race, ethnicity, national origin, or creed.
- Conative Prejudice refers to how people are inclined tobehave. It is regarded as an attitude because people do not act ontheir feelings. An example of conative prejudice may be found inexpressions of what should be done if the opportunity presents itself.
