Discrimination noun U (WORSE TREATMENT) the treatment of a person or particular group of people differently, in a way that is worse than the way people are usually treated: Some immigrants were victims of discrimination. The law made racial discrimination in employment a serious crime.
1 a : to see the special features of. b : to perceive a difference in : differentiate. 2 : to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences; especially : to distinguish from another like object. 3 : to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit.
The original, neutral sense of discrimination, "the act of distinguishing," came into English by the early 17th century, followed by the positive one associated with superior discernment in the 18th century. Discrimination in the "prejudice" sense has been in use since the early 19th century, almost 200 years ago.
To "discriminate" against someone means to treat that person differently, or less favorably, for some reason. Discrimination can occur while you are at school, at work, or in a public place, such as a mall or subway station.
Definition and Citations: a term used to deny someone the equal protection of the laws and to treat al people the same. Discriminating Monopoly.
Etymologically, discrimination derives from the Latin word "discriminate" = "to distinguish". Distinguishing is a performative act, i.e., a particular effect actually occurs, whether intended or not. Someone feels offended or hurt, because of an insult.
Discrimination, in psychology, the ability to perceive and respond to differences among stimuli. It is considered a more advanced form of learning than generalization (q.v.), the ability to perceive similarities, although animals can be trained to discriminate as well as to generalize.
In the context of civil rights law, unlawful discrimination refers to when an individual or entity treats another individual or group in an unfair or unequal manner based on certain characteristics, including: Age. Disability. Ethnicity.
However, discrimination is a state of mind and, therefore, notoriously hard to prove. Sophisticated employers are well aware that discrimination is illegal. Thus, most cases are established through circumstantial evidence.
Age. Age discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) less favorably because of age. Disability. Genetic Information. Unlawful Workplace Harassment (Harassment) ... National Origin. Pregnancy. Race/Color. Religion.