What is the difference between prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes?

A stereotype is a generalized belief about the characteristics of a group of people, which may be positive or negative and represents the cognitive component of bias. Prejudice is an unjustified negative attitude toward a group and its members, representing the emotional component of bias. Discrimination is unjustified negative behavior toward a group or its members, representing the behavioral component. A person can hold stereotypes without being prejudiced, and can be prejudiced without discriminating, though all three often coexist.