Which term describes an unverified assumption about a group used to justify unequal treatment?

• A. Assumptions
• B. Social Bias
• C. Prejudice
• D. Stereotypes

Answer: (D)

Stereotypes are generalized, unverified beliefs about members of a group that people use to justify treating them differently. These oversimplified ideas ignore individual differences and become a ready-made justification for unequal treatment, like assuming all members of a group share the same traits or abilities and acting on that assumption. That’s why this term fits best: it captures the idea of a broad belief about a group that’s not tested or accurate, yet it guides how people are treated.

Assumptions are simply beliefs about something that may not be proven, but they aren’t inherently tied to a specific group or used to justify unequal action. Social bias refers to a general tendency to favor or disfavor a group, not necessarily the concrete belief about what that group is like. Prejudice is an attitude or feeling toward a group, often negative, which can stem from stereotypes but isn’t the act of labeling a group with an unverified belief used to justify treatment.