What is the Difference Between Attitude and Prejudice?

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Attitude and prejudice are both human feelings towards something, but they differ in several aspects:

  1. Aim: Attitudes can be directed towards a person, an object, a place, or a situation, while prejudice is focused on a person or a group of people.
  2. Positivity/Negativity: Attitudes can be either positive or negative, while prejudice is always a negative phenomenon.
  3. Formation: Attitudes are formed after a full investigation of a particular fact, whereas prejudice is based on insufficient information or without really knowing the facts.
  4. Changeability: Both attitudes and prejudices can change over time and are not considered permanent ideologies.
  5. Prejudgment: Prejudice is a prejudgment of something without having exposure to the real situation, and it can be based on misapprehension, misunderstandings, or ignorance.

In summary, attitudes are feelings and thoughts about something, which can be either positive or negative, while prejudice is always a negative judgment made without sufficient information or knowledge.

Comparative Table: Attitude vs Prejudice

Here is a table highlighting the differences between attitude and prejudice:

Attribute Attitude Prejudice
Definition Attitudes are feelings, thoughts, and beliefs towards a person, object, place, or situation. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling towards an individual based solely on their membership in a particular social group.
Positivity Attitudes can be both positive and negative. Prejudice is always a negative phenomenon.
Formation Attitudes are formed after a full investigation of a particular fact. Prejudice is based on prejudgment, which means it is not based on personal experience.
Target Attitude can be aimed at a person, an object, a place, or a situation. Prejudice aims at a person or a group of people.
Changeability Attitudes and prejudices can change over time and are not permanent. Both attitudes and prejudices can change over time and are not permanent.

In summary, attitudes are feelings, thoughts, and beliefs towards various subjects, while prejudice is a negative attitude towards individuals based on their membership in a particular social group. Attitudes can be both positive and negative, whereas prejudice is always negative. Attitudes are formed after investigating facts, whereas prejudice is based on prejudgment without personal experience.