Prejudgments

Prejudgments are preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experience. They often involve making a judgment about a person or a group of people without sufficient knowledge, and can stem from biases, stereotypes, or personal experiences. These initial assessments can significantly influence our interactions and decisions, frequently leading to unfair treatment or misunderstandings. They can manifest in both positive and negative contexts, though negative prejudgments are more commonly associated with discriminatory behavior and social injustice, shaping perceptions and creating barriers to fair evaluation.

Prejudgments meaning with examples

• The hiring manager's prejudgments about candidates from a particular university led to overlooking a highly qualified applicant. These preconceptions, stemming from a negative past experience, colored their evaluation and resulted in a missed opportunity. This demonstrates the damaging effects prejudgments can have.
• Racial prejudgments, ingrained from historical narratives, often influence policing practices, causing disproportionate scrutiny and treatment. This bias, resulting in unequal treatment, underscores the importance of consciously challenging personal views, which promotes more fair practices and better communities.
• Before trying a new cuisine, some people have prejudgments about the taste, texture, and overall experience. Without allowing their senses to be open, these prejudgments limit their opportunity to have a new experience which, in turn, prevents them from enjoying something they might like.
• A teacher's prejudgments about a student’s home environment can shape their expectations for the student's academic success. When teachers judge students, based on circumstances they aren't involved in, they influence their behavior and ultimately, their performance within the classroom setting.
• Witnesses in a court case were found to have prejudgments about the defendant, influencing the jury's decision making. Their personal experiences or general knowledge contributed to this bias, demonstrating the importance of clear guidance to the jury in order to avoid a misjudgment.