Which term denotes unequal treatment based on a person's group characteristics, such as ethnicity or gender?

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Discrimination denotes unequal treatment based on a person's group characteristics, such as ethnicity or gender. It happens when decisions about someone are made because of those characteristics rather than evaluating them on their own actions or merits. This goes beyond beliefs or attitudes; it involves how people are treated in practice, whether through policies, procedures, or everyday interactions. It’s distinct from stereotypes (general beliefs about a group) and prejudices (attitudes toward a group), and it differs from bias-based profiling, which uses biased assumptions about a group to justify targeting or treatment. In policing, recognizing discrimination is essential to protect rights and ensure fair, impartial treatment for everyone. For instance, applying a policy more harshly to people of a certain ethnicity would be discrimination.