Final answer:
Stereotypes are oversimplified beliefs about groups, while prejudice is biased thinking. Discrimination is the unfair treatment based on group membership, such as race or religion. Racism is a form of prejudice coupled with power, leading to systemic oppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms stereotype, prejudice, discrimination, and racism are often used interchangeably but have different meanings. Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people that do not take individual differences into account. These can be based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and more. Despite sometimes being viewed in a positive light, stereotypes are more commonly negative and contribute to other issues such as prejudice.
Prejudice refers to biased thinking or feelings against a group of people and is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Prejudices can result in discrimination, which is the act of treating someone unfairly or unjustly based on their membership in a particular group, ranging from race to religion. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, such as in employment, housing, and social services.
Racism is a specific form of discrimination and prejudice based on the belief that one race is superior or inferior to another. It combines racial prejudice with the power to enforce it on a systemic level and is often embedded in societal structures, policies, and institutions, this is known as systemic oppression. Understanding these concepts is critical in addressing and working towards equality and social justice.