Which concept explains how overlapping social identities can create unique experiences of discrimination?

• A. Merit Resolutions
• B. Intersectionality
• C. Marginal Functions
• D. Middlemen

Answer: (B)

Intersectionality explains how overlapping social identities—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability—shape discrimination in ways that aren’t simply additive. When multiple identities intersect, systems of bias interact to produce experiences unique to that combination. For example, a Black woman may encounter stereotypes and barriers that arise specifically from the blend of race and gender, affecting hiring, pay, and advancement in ways different from those faced by Black men or White women. This concept helps analyze diverse employee experiences and design inclusive policies that address these intertwined impacts, rather than treating each axis of identity in isolation. The other terms describe unrelated ideas or fail to capture how identities combine to influence discrimination.