What term refers to the act of treating people differently based solely on physical characteristics such as age, gender, or race?

The term that refers to the act of treating people differently based solely on physical characteristics such as age, gender, or race is discrimination. This concept encompasses unfair treatment and prejudice based on those inherent traits, leading to unequal opportunities and outcomes in various aspects of life, including employment, education, and social interactions. Discrimination can manifest in multiple forms, including systemic discrimination, where institutional practices and policies perpetuate inequality, and individual discrimination, which occurs through personal bias and stereotypes.

Burnout pertains to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress, often in a workplace context. It does not address the issue of treatment based on personal characteristics. The glass ceiling describes an invisible barrier that prevents certain groups, particularly women and minorities, from advancing to higher levels within organizations, reflecting aspects of discrimination but not directly defining it. Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between personal life and career obligations, which is unrelated to the concept of discrimination based on physical characteristics.