Final answer:
The correct answer is that all the answers listed (physical qualities, gender, ethnicity, and age) are correct when referring to surface-level diversity. These are traits that can be instantly recognized and can inform perceptions and interactions among individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the answers listed are considered surface-level diversity. This term refers to easily perceived differences between people, such as physical qualities, gender, ethnicity, and age. These aspects are immediate visual traits that can define individuals within a group upon first interaction.
Surface-level diversity is distinct from deep-level diversity, which encompasses differences in values, beliefs, and experiences. While the nuances of gender and ethnicity can also lead to profound cultural and identity-specific distinctions, as seen through the advocacy efforts of transgender activism, bisexual visibility, and lesbian feminism, these identities are nonetheless included in the broad category of surface-level diversity due to their initial perceptibility.
The recognition of such diversity is important, as it affects social interactions and can lead to prejudice and discrimination in everyday situations, including the labor market, where employment discrimination is a persistent issue.