Prejudgment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ค
prejudgment
[หprฤหjษjmษnt ]
Definitions
in legal context
Prejudgment refers to a decision or opinion formed before the relevant facts are known. It can lead to bias and unfair treatment in legal proceedings.
Synonyms
preconceived idea, preconceived notion, preconception.
Examples of usage
- His prejudgment of the defendant's guilt influenced the outcome of the trial.
- The judge warned the jury against making any prejudgment based on media reports.
general context
Prejudgment can also refer to the act of judging or forming an opinion about someone or something before having all the relevant information.
Synonyms
preconceived judgment, preconceived notion, preconception.
Examples of usage
- She tried to avoid prejudgment and approached each situation with an open mind.
- Making prejudgments about people based on appearance can be harmful and unfair.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Social Psychology
- Research shows that individuals often rely on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, leading to quick prejudgments.
- Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, can reinforce these early judgments, making them hard to change later.
- Prejudgment can lead to stereotyping, where assumptions are made about entire groups based on limited experience.
Cultural Perspectives
- Different cultures approach judgment variably; some emphasize communal views while others encourage individual interpretations.
- Media portrayal can heavily influence public prejudgments, shaping opinions long before the facts are known.
- In storytelling, characters often face prejudgment, leading to plot twists that reveal deeper truths.
Ethics
- Moral philosophies encourage individuals to avoid prejudgment to foster fairness and equality.
- Judging others without full understanding is often considered unethical in many philosophical traditions.
- Debates about freedom of speech frequently touch upon how prejudgments can adversely influence societal discourse.
Literature
- Classic novels often explore themes of prejudgment; for example, characters in 'Pride and Prejudice' initially misjudge one another.
- Many modern authors use narratives that challenge common prejudgments, helping readers to reflect on their own biases.
- Protagonists overcoming prejudgment is a common trope, illustrating personal growth and understanding.
Origin of 'prejudgment'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'pre-', meaning 'before', and 'judgment', referring to forming an opinion.
- It first entered English usage in the 17th century, evolving from legal terminology.
- Many words related to judgment, like 'prejudiced', trace their roots back to Latin, emphasizing its historical context.
The word 'prejudgment' originated in the early 19th century, combining 'pre-' (before) and 'judgment'. It has been used to describe the act of forming an opinion before having all the facts, particularly in legal and general contexts.
See also: adjudge, adjudicate, injudicious, judgable, judgeable, judgement, judges, judging, judgment, judgmental, judgmentally, judicial, judiciary, judicious, judiciously, judiciousness, misjudge, misjudgment, prejudge.