preconception

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

preconception
    n 1: an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence; "he
         did not even try to confirm his preconceptions" [syn:
         {preconception}, {prepossession}, {parti pris},
         {preconceived opinion}, {preconceived idea}, {preconceived
         notion}]
    2: a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an
       issue or situation [syn: {bias}, {prejudice},
       {preconception}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Preconception \Pre`con*cep"tion\, n.
   The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously
   formed.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

37 Moby Thesaurus words for "preconception":
      assumption, bent, bias, delusion, favoritism, forejudgment,
      idee fixe, illusion, inclination, jaundice, jaundiced eye, leaning,
      one-sidedness, parti pris, partialism, partiality, partisanship,
      preapprehension, preconclusion, preconsideration, predecision,
      predetermination, predilection, predisposition, prejudgment,
      prejudication, prejudice, premature judgment, prenotion,
      prepossession, presumption, presupposal, presupposition,
      presurmise, twist, undetachment, undispassionateness

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