Prejudice, in its most literal sense, means forming a judgment about a person, place, or thing before having sufficient knowledge or experience. It is an assumption made in advance, often influenced by cultural narratives, personal biases, or incomplete information. This premature judgment can be positive or negative, but it becomes problematic when it leads to fixed beliefs that resist change even in the face of new evidence.

When applied to people, prejudice often manifests in stereotypes that oversimplify complex human identities. It can be based on race, gender, age, nationality, or countless other factors, shaping interactions and opportunities in ways that reinforce social divisions. While everyone categorizes the world to some extent as a mental shortcut, unchecked prejudice distorts reality and limits the potential for genuine understanding.

Places also suffer from prejudgment, as entire cities, regions, or countries can be labeled unfairly based on selective stories. A neighborhood may be assumed to be dangerous without firsthand experience, or a country may be dismissed as backward based on outdated perceptions. These assumptions can shape travel, business, and even political policies, often at the expense of those who live in these misrepresented areas.

Objects and concepts are not immune to prejudgment either, as people form opinions about technologies, cultural practices, or artistic expressions without exploring their depth. A new form of music may be dismissed as noise, or an unfamiliar cuisine may be rejected without a single taste. These snap judgments prevent people from broadening their horizons and engaging with the world in a more enriched way.

The challenge is not to eliminate judgment entirely but to recognize when it is premature and based on incomplete information. Pausing to question assumptions, seeking diverse perspectives, and embracing curiosity can counteract the rigid thinking that prejudice fosters.

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People sometimes decide what they think about others before getting to know them. This is called prejudice, and it happens when people assume things based on race, age, gender, or other differences. These beliefs can be learned from family, school, and media, making them feel normal even when they are not fair.

Stereotypes are ideas that say all people in a group are the same, even when they are not. When people believe stereotypes, they treat others unfairly, which is called discrimination. Some rules and systems make this worse by keeping certain groups from getting the same chances in life.

People like to feel safe in their groups, which can make them suspicious of others who seem different. This “us vs. them” thinking makes prejudice stronger and harder to change. Many don’t realize they are doing this because it feels natural to trust what they already know.

The way to stop prejudice is by meeting and working with different people in fair and equal ways. Laws help by stopping unfair treatment, and speaking up against wrong ideas can make a difference. When people focus on kindness and fairness, they can break the habit of judging others too quickly.