Prejudice vs. Bias — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 2, 2023
"Prejudice" is a preconceived opinion not based on reason or actual experience; "Bias" is an inclination or preference that influences judgment from being balanced or even-handed.
Difference Between Prejudice and Bias
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Prejudice" refers to a preconceived opinion or judgment about an individual or group without adequate knowledge. In contrast, "Bias" denotes a tendency or inclination, often rooted in personal perspectives, experiences, or backgrounds, which can sway objective judgment.
Both "Prejudice" and "Bias" involve a leaning towards a particular perspective or group. However, "Prejudice" typically carries a more negative connotation, implying unfair and baseless judgment, while "Bias" may simply indicate a natural inclination or preference.
Linguistically, "Prejudice" suggests a stronger, more rigid stance based on unfounded or preconceived notions. "Bias," on the other hand, can be more subtle and might be a mere tilt or sway in a particular direction, not necessarily rooted in ignorance or unfounded beliefs.
It is possible for someone to be biased without being overtly prejudiced. For instance, a person might have a bias towards a particular kind of music due to personal tastes. However, prejudice would be assuming that a specific genre is inferior without giving it a fair chance.
Both "Prejudice" and "Bias" can significantly impact decision-making processes. While biases can sometimes be recognized and addressed, prejudices often stem from deeper, unexamined beliefs, making them more challenging to rectify.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience.
Inclination affecting judgment or behavior.
Connotation
Typically negative, implying unfounded judgment.
Can be neutral, indicating mere preference.
Strength
Strong, rigid stance.
Can be subtle, a slight leaning.
Rooted in
Often based in ignorance or unfounded beliefs.
Personal experiences or perspectives.
Example in a sentence
His prejudice against outsiders was evident.
Her bias towards classical music was clear in her playlist.
Compare with Definitions
Prejudice
Discrimination or bias towards a particular group.
Racial prejudice remains a global issue.
Bias
An unfair inclination towards one side or group.
The news report showed a clear bias.
Prejudice
An unfounded hatred or judgment.
She faced prejudice because of her accent.
Bias
A slant or direction in particular away from the standard.
The fabric was cut on the bias.
Prejudice
A preconceived notion not based on experience.
His prejudice against modern art prevented him from enjoying the exhibit.
Bias
A preference affecting objective judgment.
The teacher's bias towards diligent students was evident.
Prejudice
A detrimental judgment based on external factors.
Gender prejudice has been a barrier in many professions.
Bias
A systematic distortion in data or results.
Sampling bias affected the survey's outcomes.
Prejudice
An unfair opinion formed without proper understanding.
The community's prejudice against newcomers was unwarranted.
Bias
A tendency to lean in a particular direction.
His upbringing gave him a bias towards traditional values.
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).
Bias
Bias is a disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded, prejudicial, or unfair. Biases can be innate or learned.
Prejudice
An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts
A boy with a prejudice against unfamiliar foods.
Bias
A line going diagonally across the grain of fabric
Cut the cloth on the bias.
Prejudice
Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular social group, such as a race or the adherents of a religion.
Bias
A preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment.
Prejudice
Detriment or harm caused to a person, especially in a legal case
The delay operated to her prejudice.
Bias
An unfair act or policy stemming from prejudice.
Prejudice
Preclusionary effect, preventing further pursuit of one's interests
The case was dismissed with prejudice.
Bias
A statistical sampling or testing error caused by systematically favoring some outcomes over others.
Prejudice
To fill with prejudice or cause to judge with prejudice
My rural upbringing has prejudiced me against living in the city.
Bias
A weight or irregularity in a ball that causes it to swerve, as in lawn bowling.
Prejudice
To affect detrimentally or harmfully by a judgment or act
Negative media coverage prejudiced people's opinion of the mayor.
Bias
The tendency of such a ball to swerve.
Prejudice
(countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.
Bias
The fixed voltage applied to an electrode.
Prejudice
(countable) A preconception, any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.
Bias
Slanting or diagonal; oblique
A bias fold.
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.
Bias
To influence in a particular, typically unfair direction.
Prejudice
(obsolete) Knowledge formed in advance; foresight, presaging.
Bias
To apply a small voltage to (a grid).
Prejudice
Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
Bias
Inclination towards something.
Prejudice
(transitive) To have a negative impact on (someone's position, chances etc.).
Bias
The diagonal line between warp and weft in a woven fabric.
Prejudice
(transitive) To cause prejudice in; to bias the mind of.
Bias
A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (such as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference.
Prejudice
Misspelling of prejudiced
Bias
(electronics) A voltage or current applied to an electronic device, such as a transistor electrode, to move its operating point to a desired part of its transfer function.
Prejudice
Foresight.
Naught might hinder his quick prejudize.
Bias
(statistics) The difference between the expectation of the sample estimator and the true population value, which reduces the representativeness of the estimator by systematically distorting it.
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.
Bias
(sports) In the games of crown green bowls and lawn bowls: a weight added to one side of a bowl so that as it rolls, it will follow a curved rather than a straight path; the oblique line followed by such a bowl; the lopsided shape or structure of such a bowl. In lawn bowls, the curved course is caused only by the shape of the bowl. The use of weights is prohibited.
Prejudice
A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.
Bias
(South Korean idol fandom) A person's favourite member of a K-pop band.
Prejudice
Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
England and France might, through their amity,Breed him some prejudice.
Bias
(transitive) To place bias upon; to influence.
Our prejudices bias our views.
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.
Bias
(electronics) To give a bias to.
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.
Bias
Inclined to one side; swelled on one side.
Prejudice
A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
Bias
Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.
Prejudice
Disadvantage by prejudice
Bias
In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally.
To cut cloth bias
Prejudice
Influence (somebody's) opinion in advance
Bias
A weight on the side of the ball used in the game of bowls, or a tendency imparted to the ball, which turns it from a straight line.
Being ignorant that there is a concealed bias within the spheroid, which will . . . swerve away.
Bias
A leaning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent; inclination.
Strong love is a bias upon the thoughts.
Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to all their actions.
Bias
A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference.
Bias
A slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias.
Bias
Inclined to one side; swelled on one side.
Bias
Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.
Bias
In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias.
Bias
To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to influence; to prejudice; to prepossess.
Me it had not biased in the one direction, nor should it have biased any just critic in the counter direction.
Bias
A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
Bias
A line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric
Bias
Influence in an unfair way;
You are biasing my choice by telling me yours
Bias
Cause to be biased
Bias
Slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric;
A bias fold
Common Curiosities
Can someone be free of biases?
Everyone has biases, often rooted in personal experiences, but awareness and reflection can mitigate their impact.
How does "Prejudice" differ from discrimination?
"Prejudice" is a biased opinion, while discrimination is acting on such opinions, resulting in unfair treatment.
Is "Prejudice" always negative?
Typically, "Prejudice" carries a negative connotation, indicating unfair judgment.
Do "Prejudice" and "Bias" affect decision-making?
Yes, both can significantly influence decisions, often away from objectivity.
Can media be a source of biases and prejudices?
Yes, media can perpetuate, amplify, or even create biases and prejudices.
Are "Prejudice" and "Bias" always related to large groups or communities?
No, they can be directed towards individuals, ideas, or even inanimate objects.
Can personal experiences lead to prejudices?
Yes, negative personal experiences can sometimes lead to generalized prejudices.
Why is it crucial to recognize our biases and prejudices?
Recognizing them is the first step towards fair, objective decision-making and fostering inclusive environments.
Can "Bias" be unconscious?
Yes, often biases are unconscious or unintentional, influencing judgments without one's awareness.
Do all prejudices result in harmful actions?
Not necessarily, but they can influence behavior, potentially leading to unfair or harmful actions.
Is it possible to have a positive bias?
Yes, a bias can be positive, favoring something or someone based on favorable past experiences.
Are these terms applicable only to people?
No, they can be applied to objects, ideas, or groups, not just individuals.
Can biases ever be helpful?
Biases can sometimes be protective or based on positive past experiences, but it's essential to be aware of them.
How can one overcome prejudices?
Self-awareness, education, and exposure to diverse groups and experiences can help in overcoming prejudices.
Are prejudices deep-rooted compared to biases?
Prejudices are often based on deeper, unexamined beliefs, making them harder to change than biases.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
