What refers to a negative attitude towards others based on their gender, religion, race, or group membership?

The correct answer is rooted in the concept of forming preconceived opinions or judgments about individuals or groups, often without knowledge or actual experience. Prejudice specifically refers to a negative attitude or belief directed at an individual or group based on characteristics such as gender, religion, race, or group membership. It encapsulates feelings of hostility, disdain, or inequality stemming from these attributes, leading to a lack of understanding or empathy for those who are different.

While the other terms like discrimination, bias, and stereotyping have their distinct meanings, they do not precisely capture the essence of a negative attitude in the same way. Discrimination refers to actions or behaviors that result in unequal treatment of individuals based on their group identities. Bias might indicate a tendency to favor a particular view or group over another, but it does not always imply a negative stance. Stereotyping involves oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group, which could lead to prejudicial attitudes but is not itself the attitude.

Thus, prejudice is the overarching term that encompasses negative feelings towards others based on inherent characteristics, distinguishing it from the more action-based or thought-based distinctions presented in the other answer options.