Which term means a negative opinion that is not based on facts?

• A. Bias
• B. Stereotype
• C. Discrimination
• D. Prejudice

Answer: (D)

A negative opinion that isn’t based on facts is called prejudice. Prejudice means forming a judgment about someone or a group before you have evidence or experience, and that judgment is usually harmful or unfair. It’s different from discrimination, which is the action of treating people unfairly because of that opinion. It’s also distinct from bias, which is a tendency or preference that can color judgments and may or may not be about a specific group, and from a stereotype, which is a generalized belief about a group that can be oversimplified. In this case, prejudice best fits the idea of a negative viewpoint without factual basis.