What does the term 'prejudice' define in the context of judgment about others?

The term 'prejudice' is defined as making a judgment about someone before having all the relevant information or before fully understanding the individual or their circumstances. It involves forming an opinion or belief based on preconceived notions rather than an objective assessment. This characteristic is what distinguishes prejudice from more reasoned approaches, such as fair assessment or critical analysis, which require a complete understanding and evaluation of the situation at hand.

In this context, 'pre-judging someone' accurately captures the essence of prejudice, highlighting the act of forming judgments that may be unfair or biased, often rooted in stereotypes or unfounded assumptions. This understanding of prejudice is crucial in discussions surrounding social bias, diversity, and inclusion, emphasizing the importance of basing judgments on factual and comprehensive information rather than preconceived ideas.