Önyargy

Önyargy is a social-psychological phenomenon referring to a biased attitude or judgment toward a person or group based on preconceptions rather than direct evidence. It often involves stereotypes, generalizations, or assumptions that are applied without careful evaluation of individual characteristics.

Önyargy can be explicit or implicit. Explicit önyargy is conscious and openly expressed, while implicit önyargy operates automatically and may conflict with a person’s stated beliefs. Common targets include race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, nationality, disability, and social class, though anyone can be the object of bias. Önyargy is maintained by cognitive shortcuts, socialization, and cultural norms, and it is reinforced by media representations and personal experiences that are interpreted through a biased lens.

The mechanisms of önyargy include categorization of people into in-groups and out-groups, reliance on stereotypes, and confirmation bias, which favors information that confirms preconceptions. Illusory correlations and attribution errors can further distort judgments, attributing negative traits to entire groups rather than to individuals.

Consequences of önyargy include unfair treatment in education, employment, housing, law enforcement, and social interaction, as well as social polarization and reduced opportunities for targeted groups. Önyargy can also affect the thinking of those who hold biases, leading to unnecessary conflict and social division.

Addressing önyargy involves awareness-raising, education, and exposure to counter-stereotypical examples. Strategies include perspective-taking, intergroup contact, structured decision-making, and institutional measures such as blind evaluation processes and explicit anti-discrimination policies. Ongoing reflection and evidence-based evaluation are essential to reduce bias in both individuals and organizations.