What term is characterized by an unfavorable attitude towards a group of people?

The term that is characterized by an unfavorable attitude towards a group of people is prejudice. Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals based on their membership in a group, often leading to negative feelings and views about those individuals. This negative attitude does not necessarily translate into action against the group but reflects a biased viewpoint that can affect social interactions and relationships.

In contrast, discrimination involves the actions taken against individuals based on their group membership, which is a behavioral manifestation of prejudice. Stereotypes are oversimplified and widely held beliefs about a particular group, which might include both positive and negative assumptions. Bias is a more general term that indicates a tendency to favor one perspective over another, which may or may not involve an unfavorable attitude toward a group. Thus, the specificity of how attitudes are characterized within the context of prejudice makes it the correct choice for this question.