Final answer:
Jessica's assumption about the teenagers is an example of a stereotype, which is an overgeneralized belief about a group of people, often leading to prejudiced attitudes and potentially discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jessica's assumption that the teenagers were bad kids because they were racing down the sidewalk is known as a stereotype. A stereotype is an overgeneralized belief or assumption about individuals based solely on their membership in a group, regardless of their individual characteristics.
This can be a prejudiced attitude and is part of a larger set of cognitive biases, such as the bandwagon fallacy, that can lead individuals to adopt certain beliefs because they are widespread, even if they are not necessarily true.
Prejudice often begins in the form of stereotypes and can lead to discrimination. For instance, someone who holds a stereotype may attribute negative behaviors or characteristics to an entire group based on the actions of a few. In the case of Jessica, she is making an assumption without knowing the circumstances and is applying a negative label broadly.
The phenomenon of making snap judgments based on limited information can be influenced by various factors, including media portrayal of certain groups and public perception of crime. Such assumptions can be mitigated by critical thinking and awareness of one's own cognitive biases.