What is the concept of 'prejudice'?

The concept of 'prejudice' is best defined as a preconceived opinion not based on experience or evidence. Prejudice typically involves forming a negative judgment about a person or group without having sufficient knowledge or facts to support that judgment. This often leads to stereotyping and the perpetuation of bias, as individuals may draw conclusions about others simply based on their identity—such as race, gender, or religion—rather than their actual behaviors or characteristics.

In this context, the focus is on the lack of evidence or personal experience that informs these judgments, distinguishing prejudice from more informed or rational considerations of character, which would require thoughtful analysis and direct engagement with the individual or group in question. This highlights why the other options do not encapsulate the essence of prejudice: personal experiences and thorough analysis imply a deeper understanding and basis for judgment, whereas prejudice specifically arises from a lack of such engagement.