Which term refers to an unreasonable negative attitude towards an individual or group?

The term that best describes an unreasonable negative attitude towards an individual or group is "prejudice." Prejudice typically refers to preconceived opinions or judgments about people that are not based on reason or actual experience. This often manifests as a generalization based on limited information, leading to dislike or distrust.

Understanding this concept is essential in various fields, particularly in law enforcement, where recognizing and addressing prejudice can help promote fairness and impartiality. While other terms like discrimination, bigotry, and stereotyping do relate to negative attitudes or behaviors towards individuals or groups, they carry different connotations. Discrimination refers specifically to actions taken based on prejudices, bigotry implies a strong, biased intolerance, and stereotyping involves oversimplifications and assumptions about a group. Therefore, "prejudice" encapsulates the core idea of an unreasonable negative attitude.