Which term refers to a generalized belief about a group of people?

The term that refers to a generalized belief about a group of people is a stereotype. Stereotypes simplify perceptions of individuals based on their membership in a particular group, often leading to oversimplified and fixed ideas about the traits, behaviors, or characteristics of members of that group. These generalized beliefs can arise from cultural influences, socialization, and personal experiences, and they can influence attitudes and behaviors toward individuals before one even meets them.

Understanding stereotypes is important in social psychology because they can contribute to broader issues like discrimination and prejudice. They can also impact how individuals are perceived and treated in various social contexts. In contrast, ingroup refers to a group with which a person identifies, while outgroup refers to a group with which a person does not identify. Prejudice, on the other hand, is an unfavorable attitude toward a group based on a stereotype but doesn't specifically refer to the generalized belief itself.