New
New
Year 9

What is discrimination and prejudice?

I can explain prejudice and discrimination, understand their differences and give examples of each.

New
New
Year 9

What is discrimination and prejudice?

I can explain prejudice and discrimination, understand their differences and give examples of each.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A stereotype is a simplified idea or belief about a person based on limited aspects of their identity.
  2. When people develop negative feelings based on their stereotypes, this is called prejudice.
  3. When people start treating others less favourably because of their prejudices, this is discrimination.
  4. Discrimination can be direct or indirect.
  5. People who have been discriminated against may also experience victimisation or harassment.

Keywords

  • Stereotype - a simplified view of a group of people; stereotypes can be positive or negative

  • Prejudice - when a person develops negative attitudes or feelings about a person or group before getting to know them, often based on stereotypes they hold

  • Discrimination - treating people unfairly or differently because of things like their race, gender, or where they come from, instead of treating everyone equally

Common misconception

Positive stereotypes don’t cause any harm because they seem complimentary.

Positive stereotypes can be damaging because they create pressure for individuals to meet unrealistic expectations; ignore individuality and reinforce limiting roles and ideas about what people should be like.


To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: What is discrimination and prejudice?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Set clear ground rules to create a safe space for discussion. Use real-life, age-appropriate scenarios to help pupils relate to the concepts and encourage them to reflect on how it feels to be judged unfairly. Give time to help pupils reflect before sharing respectful conversations.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the start and end to make full sentences.
Correct Answer:Opportunity means,making something possible.

making something possible.

Correct Answer:Equity means,giving people what they need to have a fair chance.

giving people what they need to have a fair chance.

Correct Answer:Equal means,when something or someone is the same.

when something or someone is the same.

Q2.
Rearrange the words into a sentence about the meaning of equality.
1 - Providing
2 - the same
3 - treatment
4 - to everyone
5 - is known as
6 - equality.
Q3.
Which example best shows equity rather than equality?
Every pupil receives the same worksheet to complete.
Everyone in a race starts at the same time, regardless of ability.
Correct answer: A school gives extra reading support to pupils who need help catching up.
All pupils wear the same uniform to show unity.
Q4.
refers to the differences between people, such as their race, gender, culture, religion and abilities.
Correct Answer: diversity
Q5.
The 2010 is a law that protects people from discrimination and prejudice.
Correct Answer: Equality Act
Q6.
Which of these are protected characteristics according to the Equality Act?
Correct answer: age
political affiliation
Correct answer: race
hair colour
Correct answer: disability

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:stereotype,generalised belief about a person based on just part of their identity

generalised belief about a person based on just part of their identity

Correct Answer:prejudice,negative attitudes or feelings towards someone based on assumptions

negative attitudes or feelings towards someone based on assumptions

Correct Answer:discrimination,treating people unfairly because of something like race or gender

treating people unfairly because of something like race or gender

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of indirect discrimination?
a shop refusing to serve someone because of their accent
Correct answer: changing terms to require Sunday work, despite some employees' religious beliefs
calling someone names because of their hairstyle
someone making a rude joke about a person's culture
Q3.
Even though stereotypes can sound like compliments, they still treat everyone in a group as if they’re all the same.
Correct Answer: positive
Q4.
is unwanted behaviour which someone can find offensive or which makes them feel intimidated or humiliated.
Correct Answer: Harassment
Q5.
Someone being treated unfairly after reporting discrimination can be described as ...
Correct Answer: victimisation
Q6.
Starting with the first, put these events in the correct order to show how stereotypes can lead to discrimination.
1 - A person assumes people from a certain place have a certain negative quality.
2 - They start to feel uncomfortable or annoyed around people from that place.
3 - The person refuses to hire someone because of where they are from.