Which term describes a negative social attitude toward a characteristic of an individual?

• A. Stigma
• B. Prejudice
• C. Stereotype
• D. Bias

Answer: (A)

Stigma describes a negative social attitude toward a characteristic of an individual. When society devalues or shames someone because of a trait—like a mental health condition or disability—and treats them as less than due to that trait, it creates a social judgment that goes beyond personal dislike and leads to discrimination or exclusion. This focus on public perception and the social consequences of possessing the trait is what makes stigma the best fit. For contrast, prejudice is an internal negative attitude toward a person or group, stereotype is a fixed belief about a group, and bias is a general inclination toward or against something; stigma specifically centers on the social devaluation attached to a characteristic.