Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about prejudice is NOT TRUE?

1. Involves making assumptions about an individual

2. It can have either positive or negative feelings attached to it, but negative prejudice is the most common type

3. It is closely related to oppression

4. It does not affect individuals of various genders, races, financial situation, and religions

The correct answer is: It can have either positive or negative feelings attached to it, but negative prejudice is the most common type

The statement that is not true is that prejudice can have either positive or negative feelings attached to it, but negative prejudice is the most common type. While it is true that prejudice can manifest in both positive and negative attitudes, the focus of discussions around prejudice typically emphasizes negative biases due to their prevalence and the significant harm they cause to individuals and groups. It's important to recognize that positive prejudice, sometimes referred to as "positive discrimination" or "benevolent prejudice," can still lead to stereotypes and problematic generalizations. Therefore, while one might argue that there can be positive feelings involved in some prejudices, the concept is primarily associated with negative assumptions and discriminatory behaviors. This underscores the impact of prejudice, especially in fostering social divisions, which is why the notion of negative prejudice being the "most common" holds significant weight in discussions about social justice and equality. The other statements accurately reflect the characteristics of prejudice. It does involve making assumptions about individuals based on group membership, it is indeed closely tied to oppression, and it affects a wide range of individuals across various dimensions such as gender, race, financial status, and religion.