Prejudice can be described as an opinion formed against a person or group based on a stereotype (prejudice). While stereotypes are classified as generalizations about a group of people to which we attribute a specific set of characteristics to this group. These characteristics or opinions can be positive or negative, as when various nationalities are stereotyped as friendly or hostile (Lippmann, 1922). To learn about prejudice, you also need to know about stereotypes. Prejudices and stereotypes go hand in hand. There are three types of prejudice; cognitive, affective and conative. Cognitive bias is what an individual believes to be true. Affective prejudice is what individuals like and dislike. Conative bias is the way individuals are inclined to behave. Prejudice can take the form of race, sex, economic class, gender, sexual orientation, gender, and religion (prejudice). Prejudice is seen as both positive and negative. For example, when a university begins to actively recruit Black students whose academic credentials would normally not be acceptable, a specific case of positive racial discrimination occurs, which may indicate a form of positive racial prejudice (Richard A. Dienstbier, 1970). Saying that Jews are worth little is a form of negative prejudice. Prejudice has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. Prejudice against Jews is called anti-Semitism, this form of prejudice has been known for more than two thousand years (Introduction. Dynamics of prejudice - Human nature and behavior, 2003). Bias has never been easy to address, but through education individuals learn about exposure, and technology can go a long way in helping people understand each other. Stereotyping… middle of paper… New York could result in we have a “New Yorkers are different” subtype (Lippmann, 1922). To conclude, stereotypes are not only harmful in themselves, but cause a lot of harm by encouraging prejudice (Plous, 2002). Works Cited Introduction. Dynamics of prejudice: human nature and behavior. (2003). Retrieved March 20, 2011, from u.arizona.edu/: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~shaked/Holocaust/lectures/lec1.htmlLippmann, W. (1922). Public opinion. New York, NY: Free Press paperback edition 1997.Plous, S. (2002). Understanding prejudice and discrimination. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Prejudice. (n.d.). Definitions.net. Retrieved March 20, 2011, from http://www.definitions.net/definition/prejudiceRichard A. Dienstbier2. (1970). Positive and negative prejudice: Interactions of prejudice with race and social desirability. Journal of Personality(38), 198-215.