Using demographic characteristics to single out individuals for scrutiny is called what?

• A. Targeting
• B. Profiling
• C. Stereotyping
• D. Disparate treatment

Answer: (B)

Profiling is using demographic characteristics to single out individuals for scrutiny. When decisions about who to monitor, investigate, or watch are guided by attributes like race, ethnicity, gender, or age rather than by individual actions, the practice becomes profiling. This is different from simply holding beliefs about a group (stereotyping) or from focusing attention for a neutral purpose (targeting) or from illegal unequal treatment in decisions (disparate treatment). Profiling captures the specific act of basing scrutiny on group characteristics, which is why it’s the best fit here and is a concern in DEI contexts due to its potential for bias and discrimination.