Cadet Competition Written Practice Exam

What is defined as the act of pre-judging someone?

1. Discrimination

2. Bias

3. Prejudice

4. Judgment

The correct answer is: Prejudice

The act of pre-judging someone is accurately defined as prejudice. Prejudice involves forming an opinion or judgment about individuals or groups without sufficient knowledge, often based on stereotypes or preconceived notions. This judgment is typically negative in nature and can influence a person's perceptions and behaviors towards those individuals or groups. Prejudice can manifest in various forms, including racial, gender-based, or socio-economic biases. It often leads to discrimination, which is the unequal treatment of individuals based on these prejudged opinions. The distinction is crucial: while bias refers to a tendency or inclination towards a particular perspective or belief, and discrimination pertains to acting on those prejudices or biases, prejudice itself is specifically centered on the act of making an unfounded judgment prior to having full or accurate information. Understanding this concept helps recognize the importance of addressing and mitigating prejudice in social interactions and broader societal contexts.