What is the Difference Between Prejudice and Bias?

The difference between prejudice and bias lies in their definitions and the nature of their actions.

• Bias is a preference for or against a person, idea, or thing, often influenced by an individual's beliefs, values, and experiences. Biases can be either positive or negative and may be held by an individual, group, or institution. There are two types of bias:

1. Conscious Bias (also known as explicit bias): A prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way that's considered unfair.
2. Unconscious Bias (also known as implicit bias): A preference or prejudice that an individual is unaware of, often triggered by specific scenarios or situations.

• Prejudice is judging or forming an opinion before having all of the relevant facts. Prejudice is more emotional in nature and can be based on insufficient facts or ignorance, sometimes leading to fear or hatred.

In summary, while both prejudice and bias involve forming opinions or preferences based on limited information, prejudice specifically refers to making judgments without considering all relevant facts, whereas bias is a preference that can be either positive or negative and may be influenced by an individual's beliefs, values, and experiences. Both are interconnected and can influence an individual's decision-making and interactions with others.

Comparative Table: Prejudice vs Bias

The main difference between prejudice and bias lies in their definitions and the way they manifest. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

In summary, prejudice is a negative emotional reaction or belief against a group of people, while bias is a preference for one thing over another, which can be based on personal experiences or opinions. Both prejudice and bias can lead to discrimination, which involves actions against a group of people based on their social category.