Holding negative, irrational opinions and attitudes toward members of diverse populations is considered to be ___.

A) discrimination
B) unethical
C) illegal
D) prejudice
E) immoral

Prejudice refers to holding negative attitudes or beliefs about a group of people based on their membership in that group. It can manifest in a variety of ways, including stereotypes, discrimination, and bias. While discrimination and bias can also be categorized as unethical and illegal, prejudice is a broader term that encompasses both.