In social psychology, which term describes negative feelings towards a group or its members?

The term that describes negative feelings towards a group or its members is prejudice. Prejudice refers to an unjustified or incorrect attitude (usually negative) towards an individual based solely on their membership in a group. This can encompass a range of emotions, from disdain or fear to hostility. It is often based on stereotypes or generalized beliefs about the group rather than direct experience with individuals from that group.

In contrast, discrimination refers to the behavior or actions that result in unfair treatment of individuals based on their group membership. While related, discrimination is an action stemming from prejudice. Ingroup bias refers to a tendency to favor one's own group over others, which can contribute to prejudicial feelings but does not directly define negative feelings towards an outgroup. Aggression refers to behaviors that are intended to cause harm or pain to others, which may or may not be influenced by prejudicial attitudes. Thus, the correct identification of prejudice specifically captures the essence of negative feelings toward a group or its members.