Which term refers to the marginalisation and irrational prejudice that individuals may experience due to preconceived opinions?

• A. Stereotyping
• B. Harassment
• C. Stigmatisation
• D. Direct discrimination

Answer: (A)

Stereotyping is about forming fixed, overgeneralized beliefs about a group. These preconceived opinions feed irrational prejudice toward individuals who belong to that group. Because those beliefs color how people think about and treat others, they can push individuals to the margins, as society acts on those assumptions. The idea here is the link between a mental shortcut—believing things about a group—and the biased attitudes and marginalizing behavior that can result from it.

Harassment involves repeated hostile or unwanted behavior, not just beliefs. Stigmatisation refers to giving someone a stigmatic label that marks them as inferior, which can lead to social exclusion but is more about labeling than the broad cognitive bias itself. Direct discrimination is overt unequal treatment, a behavior, not the underlying prejudice or the general belief pattern described by stereotyping.