Discrimination and Prejudice

What is Discrimination and Prejudice?

Within Economics & Civics, which covers money, markets, business, government, law and citizenship: how societies are organised and run, this topic explains Discrimination and Prejudice. Economics and civics topics explain how money, markets, laws and government affect people, so each topic here pairs a clear definition with a model.

Check that you can explain Discrimination and Prejudice in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.

Understanding Discrimination and Prejudice helps you read the news critically and weigh up policies, choices and arguments about society.

Discrimination and Prejudice in detail

Prejudice is an unfair opinion or attitude toward a person or group, formed without enough knowledge, often based on stereotypes. Discrimination is acting on prejudice by treating people unfairly. Types include direct discrimination (treating someone worse because of a characteristic), indirect discrimination (a rule that disadvantages a group), harassment and victimisation.

Examples are racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism and religious intolerance. Effects include exclusion, poor mental health and lost opportunities. Laws such as the Equality Act make discrimination illegal in areas such as employment and services. Tackling it involves education, challenging stereotypes, speaking up, and creating inclusive environments.

How the interactive helps you understand Discrimination and Prejudice

Click a card to flip it and reveal the answer, then move on to the next one.

Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Discrimination and Prejudice.

Real-life uses and examples

• Use Discrimination and Prejudice to weigh up the pros and costs of a policy or decision.
• Explain Discrimination and Prejudice to a classmate using a choice you make yourself, such as spending pocket money.
• Give a balanced answer about Discrimination and Prejudice by considering more than one point of view.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing a short-term effect with a long-term one.
• Giving an opinion without evidence or a clear economic or civic reason.
• Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.