Prejudice

In its original usage, the word prejudice referred to a prejudgmental statement of ill doing, or an 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.

For the purposes of this article, which is examining prejudice within a single, overarching, theoretical framework, it is important to define the word as follows: Interpersonal hostility that is directed against individuals based on their membership in a minority group

When this definition is applied, prejudice generally refers to existing biases toward the members of such groups, often based on social stereotypes; and at its most extreme, results in groups being denied life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness or, conversely, unfairly showing unwarranted favour towards others.