Which term describes an adverse opinion about a person or group formed without gathering all the facts?

The correct term that describes an adverse opinion about a person or group formed without gathering all the facts is prejudice. Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or judgments that are not based on factual information or experience. This often leads to biased attitudes toward individuals or groups, typically resulting in emotional reactions rather than rational thought.

Understanding this concept is crucial in various contexts, especially when discussing social issues, as it helps highlight the importance of critical thinking and gathering adequate information before forming opinions.

While stereotypes involve oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group that can lead to prejudice, they are more about the characteristics attributed to the group rather than the formation of an adverse opinion. Discrimination involves acting on those prejudiced beliefs, resulting in unfair treatment of individuals based on their membership in a group, and ethnocentrism refers to the evaluation of other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture, often leading to a belief in the superiority of one's own group.