Final answer:
The application of set attitudes about and stereotypes of people with disabilities is referred to as ableism. These biases can lead to discrimination and are underpinned by both explicit and implicit attitudes, which contribute to subtle and often insidious forms of prejudice and inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The application of set attitudes about and stereotypes of people with disabilities is known as ableism. This term refers to the discrimination, social prejudice, and negative attitudes people might hold against individuals with disabilities, often due to preconceived notions not based on individual reality. This conception can apply to other forms of biases based on group membership, including racism, sexism, and ageism.
Stereotypes and prejudices are often overgeneralized beliefs about a group of people that don't take individual characteristics into account. These can lead to discrimination, which are negative actions directed towards individuals based on their perceived group membership rather than their personal merits or abilities. An example provided is the potential belief that older adults are slow and incompetent, which is an overgeneralization and fails to consider the varied capabilities of individuals within this group.
Understanding the distinction between explicit and implicit attitudes helps us recognize how subtle forms of prejudice and discrimination can be, such as the implicit bias that may lead to racial steering or unequal educational tracking. Despite the prevalence of mainstream opposition to racism, these more insidious forms persist and are challenging to overcome.