A preconceived opinion or bias toward a group is called ________.

Prepare for the Management and Organizational Behavior Exam. Test your knowledge with flashcards and multiple-choice questions complete with explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

A preconceived opinion or bias toward a group is called ________.

An unfounded attitude toward a group is prejudice. This captures the idea of forming an opinion about members of a group without evidence or firsthand experience, often coloring one’s feelings and judgments in a negative way. A stereotype is more about a generalized belief about a group, which can feed prejudice but is not itself the feeling; discrimination is about acting on those biased beliefs; bias refers to a broader tendency or inclination, which may not always be a specific negative attitude toward a group. So the term that best fits “a preconceived opinion toward a group” is prejudice.

An unfounded attitude toward a group is prejudice. This captures the idea of forming an opinion about members of a group without evidence or firsthand experience, often coloring one’s feelings and judgments in a negative way. A stereotype is more about a generalized belief about a group, which can feed prejudice but is not itself the feeling; discrimination is about acting on those biased beliefs; bias refers to a broader tendency or inclination, which may not always be a specific negative attitude toward a group. So the term that best fits “a preconceived opinion toward a group” is prejudice.

More practice questions