What is prejudice? Why does prejudice persist and how does it negatively influence identities?

What will be an ideal response?

Prejudice occurs when one experiences negative or aversive feelings towards a group as a whole or towards an individual because he/she belongs to a group.

Prejudice persists because it can increase self-esteem by protecting an individual's perception of self-worth. Prejudice also persists because it supports group values when people view their own values, norms, and cultural practices as being appropriate and correct.

Unfortunately prejudice devalues others, causing individuals and groups to denigrate the cultural practices of others. Prejudice also prevents people from analyzing their own failures (rather than blaming "others") and negatively affects the ways they talk to and about target groups.