Prejudice differs from other kinds of opinions or beliefs in several key ways. The word prejudice literally means 'pre-judgement', which refers to an opinion formed in advance of any familiarity with the subject, before considering any available evidence.

Unlike regular opinions, prejudiced views are often based on hearsay rather than on direct evidence. What makes prejudice distinct is that these preconceived views are resistant to change even in the face of new information. While normal opinions may change when presented with facts, prejudice remains rigid.

Additionally, prejudice is often grounded in stereotypes, which are fixed and inflexible characterisations of a group of people. This makes prejudice different from opinions formed through personal experience or rational consideration of evidence.