Which term describes unfair treatment based on characteristics such as race, gender, or disability?

• A. Bias
• B. Stereotype
• C. Discrimination
• D. Harassment

Answer: (C)

Unfair treatment based on characteristics such as race, gender, or disability is discrimination. This means actions, policies, or decisions that treat people unfavorably simply because of who they are, rather than their qualifications or abilities. Bias is the underlying prejudice or attitude that can lead to discriminatory behavior, but bias itself isn’t the actual act of treating someone unfairly. A stereotype is a fixed, oversimplified belief about a group that can fuel biased thinking, not the concrete unfair treatment. Harassment involves unwanted conduct based on protected traits that creates a hostile environment, focusing on ongoing behavior rather than a single discriminatory decision. So, the term that best captures the unfair treatment itself is discrimination.