Final answer:
Discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals or groups due to characteristics like race or gender, resulting in negative actions and consequences for the affected persons. It is both an individual and institutional issue that goes beyond prejudice, involving discriminatory actions in various aspects of society, including employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discrimination is defined as the unfair or unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on specific characteristics such as race, age, or disability. This behavior often stems from prejudiced attitudes and results in negative actions toward the targeted individual or group, leading to mistreatment and oppression. Moreover, discrimination can be individual or institutional in nature. An example of individual discrimination may include a highly competent psychologist being denied a PhD due to gender, as was the case with Mary Whiton Calkins. Institutional discrimination, such as the U.S. military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, reflects systemic issues within society's structures. Discrimination is not merely about 'biased thoughts' (prejudice) but involves acting on those biases, which can manifest in various sectors, including the labor market where individuals may face pay inequity or job opportunity disparities based on race or gender, despite having equal competency.