How do prejudice and discrimination differ?

The distinction between prejudice and discrimination is rooted in their definitions and implications. Prejudice constitutes a preconceived opinion or feelings, often negative, that individuals hold about a particular group. It is an internal attitude that influences how people think and feel about others based solely on their group affiliation, which can lead to stereotypes and biases.

On the other hand, discrimination refers to actions or behaviors directed against individuals or groups based on those prejudiced sentiments. It involves actively treating someone unfairly or unjustly because of their group membership. Discrimination is the manifestation of prejudice in behavior—while one might have prejudiced feelings, they may or may not express those feelings through discriminatory actions.

In this context, understanding that prejudice is about feelings and attitudes, while discrimination is about behavior and actions against individuals or groups, clarifies why the selected answer accurately reflects the relationship between the two concepts.