Final answer:
Words with negative perceptions are called connotations, representing the emotional or cultural associations beyond a word's literal meaning. Connotations can influence the tone and appropriateness of words in different contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Words that have negative perceptions are called connotations. A connotation refers to the emotional or cultural association with a word beyond its literal dictionary definition, or denotation. For instance, words like 'brainwashing' carry negative connotations compared to more neutral or positive words like 'teaching' or 'instilling'. Another example is the word 'diverse', which typically has a positive connotation of 'variety' and 'inclusivity' despite its neutral denotation of being 'varied'.
It's important to consider both denotative and connotative meanings when choosing words, especially in an academic context. A word might have a literal meaning that is suitable, but its connotative meaning may be out of place due to the emotions or values it invokes. Poets, for example, use both denotation and connotation to add layers of meaning to their work, contributing to the poem's tone and theme.