Q.Prejudice can exist without discrimination and vice versa. Comment.

Prejudice is an attitude (usually negative) toward a group, while discrimination is the behavioural expression of it. Because an attitude need not always be shown in behaviour, the two can occur separately. A person may hold a strong prejudice against a group yet, due to legal restrictions, social norms or fear of consequences, not actually behave unfairly toward it — prejudice without discrimination. Conversely, someone may discriminate against a group (for example under group pressure, or to gain some advantage) without personally holding a negative attitude toward it — discrimination without prejudice. Yet the two very often go together; wherever both exist, conflicts between groups are very likely to arise. Discriminatory behaviour can be curbed by law, but the cognitive and e …

The two are different things

Prejudice is an attitude — usually a negative one — toward a particular group. Discrimination is its behavioural component: behaving in a less positive way toward a target group compared with a favoured group. Because, in general, an attitude need not always be exhibited through behaviour, prejudice (the attitude) and discrimination (the behaviour) do not have to appear together.

Prejudice without discrimination

A person may hold prejudiced attitudes toward a group but not show them in discriminatory behaviour. In many cases discriminatory behaviour can be curbed by law; social norms, fear of negative consequences, or the situation not permitting it can all keep a prejudiced person from actually discriminating. Here the negative attitude exists internally, but no unfair behaviour is shown outwardly.

Discrimination without prejudice

Equally, discrimination can be shown without underlying prejudice. A person might behave unfavourably toward a group not because s/he personally dislikes it, but for other reasons — for example, going along with group or cultural pressure, following existing practice, or seeking some advantage — even while not holding a negative attitude toward that group.

But the two usually go together …