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Prejudice vs. Discrimination — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Prejudice involves prejudging others based on biases, while discrimination is acting on those prejudices, often resulting in unfair treatment.
Prejudice vs. Discrimination — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Prejudice and Discrimination

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Key Differences

Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards individuals or groups, often based on stereotypes and without factual basis. Discrimination, on the other hand, manifests through actions or behaviors that treat people unfairly based on their membership in a particular group, influenced by prejudices.
While prejudice is an internal bias that affects one's feelings and attitudes towards others, discrimination translates these biases into tangible actions that can negatively impact individuals' lives, such as in employment, education, and access to services.
Prejudice can exist as a silent bias, hidden within an individual's thoughts, and may not always lead to overt actions. Discrimination, however, is observable and measurable, often resulting in exclusion or preference based on unjust grounds.
The roots of prejudice often lie in ignorance, fear, or a desire to feel superior to others. Discrimination, fueled by such prejudices, enacts these negative biases, reinforcing social divides and inequalities.
Addressing prejudice involves challenging and changing one’s internal biases and beliefs. Tackling discrimination requires systemic changes in policies, laws, and social norms to ensure fair treatment for all, irrespective of their background.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience
Unjust treatment of different people, especially on grounds of race, age, or gender

Nature

Attitudinal, internal
Behavioral, external

Basis

Stereotypes, biases
Actions influenced by prejudices

Manifestation

Silent bias, can be private
Observable actions, public

Impact

Affects perceptions and attitudes
Affects individuals’ rights and opportunities

Compare with Definitions

Prejudice

Preconceived notion about a group.
Prejudice can lead someone to believe unfounded stereotypes.

Discrimination

Action based on prejudice.
Discrimination occurs when prejudiced views are acted upon.

Prejudice

Rooted in stereotypes and biases.
Prejudice often stems from misinformation or lack of understanding.

Discrimination

Leads to unfair treatment.
Discrimination can deny individuals equal opportunities.

Prejudice

Influenced by ignorance or fear.
Prejudice is often fueled by fear of the unknown.

Discrimination

Observable and measurable.
Discriminatory acts can be documented and challenged.

Prejudice

Internal bias, may not lead to action.
Someone can hold prejudiced views without acting on them.

Discrimination

Requires systemic change to address.
Combating discrimination involves changing policies and norms.

Prejudice

Can exist without discrimination.
Prejudice doesn't always manifest in discriminatory behavior.

Discrimination

Reinforces social inequalities.
Discrimination perpetuates divisions and disparities in society.

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).

Discrimination

Recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another
Discrimination between right and wrong
Young children have difficulties in making fine discriminations

Prejudice

An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts
A boy with a prejudice against unfamiliar foods.

Discrimination

The selection of a signal having a required characteristic, such as frequency or amplitude, by means of a discriminator.

Prejudice

Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular social group, such as a race or the adherents of a religion.

Discrimination

The act of discriminating.

Prejudice

Detriment or harm caused to a person, especially in a legal case
The delay operated to her prejudice.

Discrimination

The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.

Prejudice

Preclusionary effect, preventing further pursuit of one's interests
The case was dismissed with prejudice.

Discrimination

Treatment or consideration based on class or category, such as race or gender, rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice.

Prejudice

To fill with prejudice or cause to judge with prejudice
My rural upbringing has prejudiced me against living in the city.

Discrimination

Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.

Prejudice

To affect detrimentally or harmfully by a judgment or act
Negative media coverage prejudiced people's opinion of the mayor.

Discrimination

(uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.

Prejudice

(countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.

Discrimination

That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.

Prejudice

(countable) A preconception, any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.

Discrimination

The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences.
To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential.

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.

Discrimination

The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart.

Prejudice

(obsolete) Knowledge formed in advance; foresight, presaging.

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.

Prejudice

Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.

Discrimination

The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.

Prejudice

(transitive) To have a negative impact on (someone's position, chances etc.).

Discrimination

That which discriminates; mark of distinction.

Prejudice

(transitive) To cause prejudice in; to bias the mind of.

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice

Prejudice

Foresight.
Naught might hinder his quick prejudize.

Discrimination

The cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished

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.

Prejudice

A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.

Prejudice

Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
England and France might, through their amity,Breed him some prejudice.

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.

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.

Prejudice

A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

Prejudice

Disadvantage by prejudice

Prejudice

Influence (somebody's) opinion in advance

Common Curiosities

How does discrimination differ from prejudice?

Discrimination is the act of treating people unfairly based on prejudices, while prejudice is an internal bias.

How can prejudice be reduced?

Education, exposure to diverse groups, and challenging one's own biases can help reduce prejudice.

What role does society play in discrimination?

Societal norms, policies, and laws can either perpetuate or help combat discrimination.

Why do people hold prejudiced views?

Prejudiced views often stem from ignorance, fear, or a desire to feel superior to others.

What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination?

Direct discrimination is intentional and overtly unfair treatment, while indirect discrimination occurs when neutral policies disproportionately affect a specific group.

How does discrimination impact individuals?

It can limit individuals' opportunities, rights, and well-being, leading to social and economic disparities.

Can discrimination occur within the same group?

Yes, intra-group discrimination can occur based on differences in socio-economic status, religion, or other factors within the same broader group.

What is prejudice?

Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or bias towards an individual or group, often not based on factual evidence.

Can you have prejudice without discrimination?

Yes, one can hold prejudiced views without necessarily acting on them in a discriminatory manner.

Is discrimination always intentional?

Not always; it can also result from unconscious biases or systemic structures.

What steps can organizations take to prevent discrimination?

Organizations can implement diversity training, establish anti-discrimination policies, and promote an inclusive culture to combat discrimination.

How do prejudices form in individuals?

Prejudices can form through upbringing, media influence, personal experiences, and societal norms.

Can laws eliminate discrimination?

Laws can help address overt discrimination but may not fully eliminate underlying prejudices.

What is institutional discrimination?

Institutional discrimination involves policies and practices within organizations that systematically disadvantage certain groups.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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