Title: Prejudice - New World Encyclopedia
Headings: Prejudice
Prejudice
Contents
Definitions
Forms of stereotypes and prejudice
Types of prejudice
Components of prejudice
Prejudice and discrimination
Reasons for prejudice
Stereotypes in arts and literature
Notes
References
External links
Credits

Content: In its original usage, the word prejudice referred to a "prejudgmental racial statement of ill doing," or a radical evaluation or decision made before the facts of a case could be properly determined and weighed. This usage was subsequently broadened to include any unreasonable attitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence. As an attitude, prejudice is seen as having a tripartite nature, as possessing cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. A person's beliefs and expectations regarding a particular group constitute the cognitive component of the prejudicial attitude. Sociologists have termed prejudice an adaptive behavior. Biased views might be considered necessary at times for human survival: we do not always have time to form a legitimate view about a potential foe before adopting a defensive stance that could save our lives. Conversely, prejudice is non-adaptive when it interferes with survival or well-being. Prejudices are usually based on general stereotypical conceptions of our everyday reality, including ourselves, other persons, objects processes, facts, value-norms, rules. However, they need to be converted into attitudes, in order to be considered as prejudice.