Which of the following describes unfair treatment based on personal characteristics or status?

Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals based on personal characteristics or status, such as race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other defining attributes. This concept is critical in various contexts, including the workplace, housing, and education, as it highlights the need for equal treatment and opportunities irrespective of these characteristics. Discrimination often manifests in policies or practices that disadvantage certain groups or individuals when compared to others.

In contrast, harassment typically involves unwanted or offensive behavior that targets individuals based on personal characteristics, but it focuses more on the nature of the actions rather than the inherent unfair treatment itself. Intimidation refers to the act of frightening someone to influence their behavior or compliance and does not necessarily relate to the concept of unfair treatment based on characteristics. Lastly, prejudice denotes preconceived opinions or judgments about individuals based on their characteristics, which can lead to discriminatory behavior, but it does not capture the act of treating individuals unfairly in the same systematic way as discrimination does.