fordómum

Fordómum is a term used in Icelandic to denote prejudices or preconceived opinions about people or groups that are not based on evidence or direct experience. In social science, fordómur (singular) and fordómum (plural) describe attitudes that can lead to discrimination and social exclusion, even when individuals are unaware of their bias.

Common forms of fordómum include racial, ethnic, gender-based, religious, age-related, sexual orientation, disability, or national-origin biases. They can be explicit, expressed openly, or implicit, operating under the level of conscious awareness.

Causes of fordómum include cognitive shortcuts such as stereotyping and out-group homogeneity, social learning through family and media, and broader social or economic tensions that reinforce “us versus them” narratives. These attitudes are reinforced by cultural norms and institutional practices that privilege one group over others.

The effects of fordómum can be substantial: unequal treatment in education, employment, housing, or criminal justice; reduced social cohesion; and poorer policy outcomes when decisions are guided by prejudice rather than evidence. Fordómum can also limit individuals’ opportunities and perpetuate cycles of marginalization.

Strategies to reduce fordómum focus on education that promotes critical thinking and media literacy, opportunities for positive intergroup contact, and policies that counter discrimination and address structural inequalities. Early intervention in schools, diverse representation, and transparent, accountable institutions help mitigate prejudicial attitudes over time.

See also: prejudice, stereotype, discrimination.