What best defines 'prejudice'?

The choice that best defines 'prejudice' is bias for or against a thing or group of people. Prejudice typically involves preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals or groups that are not based on reason or actual experience. This bias can manifest as negative feelings or beliefs towards a specific group, which could lead to discrimination or unfair treatment.

While favoritism towards a specific group suggests a partiality that aligns more closely with preference than with the broader concept of prejudice, it does not encompass the full scope of holding negative attitudes or expectations about other groups. The ideas of equality among all individuals and acceptance of differing opinions fundamentally contradict the concept of prejudice, which inherently involves unequal treatment or negative judgment based on unfounded biases.