What term refers to the act of judging individuals based on stereotypes, regardless of truth?

The term that specifically refers to judging individuals based on stereotypes, regardless of truth, is "prejudice." Prejudice encompasses preconceived notions or attitudes toward individuals based on their membership in a particular group, often leading to biased perceptions and treatment. It reflects an emotional or cognitive evaluation that can manifest as a negative judgment without adequate knowledge or personal experience with the individual being assessed.

While discrimination refers to behaviors that involve treating individuals unfairly based on those prejudiced beliefs, and stereotyping involves categorizing individuals based on perceived traits of their group, prejudice is more about the underlying attitudes and beliefs that fuel those behaviors. Bias similarly relates to a tendency to favor or oppose a certain group, but prejudice is rooted specifically in unfounded judgments that ignore individual differences and truths.