Which term means using demographic characteristics to single out individuals for scrutiny or differential treatment?

• A. Race coded job channeling
• B. Religion
• C. Racial profiling
• D. Religiosity

Answer: (C)

Racial profiling is using race or ethnicity as a basis for suspecting someone or for differential treatment. It means decisions about scrutiny, suspicion, or opportunity are made not on an individual’s actions or qualifications, but on their demographic group. This can show up in policing, security checks, or hiring and other contexts, and it raises fairness and civil-rights concerns because people are treated differently based on who they are rather than what they do. The other terms describe beliefs or more specific practices: religion and religiosity relate to faith, and race-coded job channeling refers to directing employment paths by race, which is a particular discriminatory tactic but not the general concept of profiling based on demographic characteristics.