What does discrimination refer to in a social psychology context?

• A. Making positive assessments about all groups
• B. Negative behaviors directed at individuals based on bias
• C. Neutral actions that do not affect individuals
• D. Behavior based only on individual character

Answer: (B)

Discrimination in a social psychology context specifically refers to negative behaviors that are directed at individuals based on their membership in a particular group, often informed by bias or prejudice. This could manifest in various forms, such as verbal abuse, social exclusion, or unequal treatment in hiring practices, among others. Discrimination occurs when people act on their prejudiced beliefs or attitudes toward others, leading to harmful consequences for the targeted individuals or groups.

The emphasis here is on the behavior that arises from biased attitudes, distinguishing it clearly from mere thoughts or feelings of prejudice. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of discrimination as it pertains to social psychology. Understanding this differentiates discrimination from concepts like social bias or stereotyping, as it highlights the actionable aspect that has a direct impact on individuals.