What are prejudice and discrimination, and how do they affect people?
Prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination, the forms discrimination can take, and the effects of discrimination on individuals and groups.
An SQA National 5 Care answer on prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination, the forms discrimination can take, and the effects of discrimination on individuals and groups in society.
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What this dot point is asking
The SQA wants you to define prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination, know the forms discrimination can take, and describe its effects on individuals and groups. This is one of the most heavily examined topics in the course and links straight into the care values of Unit 3.
Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination
These three terms are connected but different. Keep them clear.
The key distinction is between attitude and action:
- A stereotype is a generalised belief (for example, "older people cannot use technology").
- Prejudice is the unfair attitude that follows (judging an older person before you know them).
- Discrimination is the unfair action (refusing to train an older worker because of their age).
So prejudice is what someone thinks or feels, while discrimination is what they do. Prejudice can lead to discrimination when a person acts on their unfair attitude.
Forms of discrimination
Discrimination can take different forms and be based on many characteristics.
It can also happen at different levels: between individuals, within an organisation (for example through unfair rules), and across society as a whole. Recognising these forms helps a care worker spot discrimination that is not always obvious.
Effects of discrimination
Discrimination causes real and lasting harm, which you should be able to describe across the aspects of a person's life.
- Emotional. Lower self-esteem and confidence; feeling worthless, anxious, angry or depressed.
- Social. Isolation and exclusion from groups, activities and opportunities; withdrawing from others.
- Practical. Fewer chances in life, such as missing out on jobs, housing, education or services, which affects income and security.
- Physical. The long-term stress of discrimination can damage physical health.
The effects reach beyond the individual to whole groups, who may face ongoing disadvantage, mistrust of services, and unequal outcomes across society.
Why this matters in care
Care workers must never discriminate and must actively challenge discrimination when they see it. Understanding the effects shows why this matters so much: discrimination damages the very wellbeing that care exists to protect. This dot point leads directly into Unit 3, where promoting equality and anti-discriminatory practice are core care values.
Try this
Q1. State the difference between prejudice and discrimination in one sentence. [1 mark]
- Cue. Prejudice is an unfair attitude; discrimination is treating someone unfairly because of it (the action).
Q2. Give two effects of discrimination on an individual. [1 mark]
- Cue. Any two of lower self-esteem, isolation, fewer opportunities, or poorer health.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA N5 style4 marksExplain the difference between prejudice and discrimination, and how prejudice can lead to discrimination.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark explain question wants both terms explained and the link between them, so develop each and connect them.
Prejudice. This is an unfair attitude or opinion about a person or group, formed without good reason, often based on a stereotype. For example, believing that older people cannot learn new things. Prejudice is what a person thinks or feels.
Discrimination. This is treating a person or group unfairly because of that attitude. It is the action that follows. For example, not giving an older person a job because of their age.
Link. Prejudice (the unfair attitude) can lead to discrimination (the unfair action) when a person acts on their prejudice and treats someone worse as a result.
Markers reward both terms explained, the attitude-action distinction, and the link from prejudice to discrimination. Defining only one, or treating them as the same, would not gain full marks.
SQA N5 style4 marksDescribe the effects that discrimination can have on an individual.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark describe question wants several clear effects, so cover a range across the person's life.
Effect 1 (emotional). Discrimination can lower a person's self-esteem and confidence and make them feel worthless, anxious or depressed.
Effect 2 (social). It can lead to isolation, as the person is excluded from groups, activities or opportunities, and may withdraw from others.
Effect 3 (practical). It can limit chances in life, such as missing out on jobs, housing or services, which affects income and wellbeing.
Effect 4 (physical). The stress of discrimination can harm physical health over time.
Markers reward a range of clear effects across emotional, social, practical and physical areas. Listing the same effect in different words would limit the marks.
Related dot points
- Socialisation as the process by which people learn the norms, values and behaviour of their society, including primary and secondary socialisation.
An SQA National 5 Care answer on socialisation, the process by which people learn the norms, values and behaviour of their society, covering primary and secondary socialisation and why this matters in care.
- The agencies of socialisation - family, school, peer group, media, religion and the workplace - and how each influences a person's norms, values and behaviour.
An SQA National 5 Care answer on the agencies of socialisation - family, school, peer group, media, religion and the workplace - and how each one shapes a person's norms, values and behaviour.
- Types of social group - primary and secondary, formal and informal - and how group membership and pressures such as peer pressure and conformity influence an individual.
An SQA National 5 Care answer on types of social group - primary and secondary, formal and informal - and how group membership, peer pressure and conformity influence an individual's behaviour and identity.
Sources & how we know this
- National 5 Care Course Specification — SQA (2017)