What is a negative attitude directed towards an entire category of people often referred to?

A negative attitude directed towards an entire category of people is defined as prejudice. This term specifically describes an unfavorable opinion or feeling toward a group based solely on their membership in that group, often without any knowledge or experience with individuals from that group. Prejudices are typically formed through stereotypes or societal influences and can lead to broad generalizations about the behaviors and characteristics of those individuals.

The other terms relate to aspects of negative treatment and perceptions but are distinct in their meaning. For instance, discrimination refers to actions taken based on prejudiced beliefs, such as treating someone unfairly due to their group identity. Stereotyping involves oversimplified ideas or beliefs about a group, which may not necessarily carry a negative connotation on their own, but can contribute to prejudice. Bigotry involves an unreasonable attachment to a particular set of beliefs or practices, often showing intolerance towards those who differ, but is more about the intensity of the belief rather than the general negative attitude implied by prejudice.