Which term describes labeling every person in a group based on preconceived ideas?

The correct term that describes labeling every person in a group based on preconceived ideas is stereotyping. Stereotyping involves ascribing specific attributes, characteristics, or behaviors to all members of a particular group without considering individual differences. This often leads to oversimplifications and inaccurate perceptions of individuals, which can perpetuate biases and misunderstandings.

Stereotyping can occur in various contexts, such as race, gender, profession, or any other social category. By focusing on generalized beliefs rather than recognizing individual nuances, it often results in unfair treatment or judgment.

While generalizing, profiling, and classifying share similarities with stereotyping, they do not encapsulate the same connotative meaning. Generalizing refers to making broad statements that may lack nuance, and while it can lead to similar issues, it does not inherently connote negative bias. Profiling typically refers to analyzing specific traits in a context, often within law enforcement or behavior analysis. Classifying simply involves categorizing without the prejudicial implications associated with stereotyping. Thus, stereotyping is the most accurate term for labeling individuals based solely on preconceived notions about their group.