Discrimination occurs when individuals are treated differently based on what criterion?

Discrimination is fundamentally about unfair treatment based on certain characteristics or criteria, often associated with the individual's membership in a particular group. This can encompass various aspects, such as race, gender, socio-economic status, and other group identifications. When individuals are treated differently due to their affiliation with a certain group, it highlights the essence of discrimination.

Choosing "group membership" as the correct answer aligns with the core definition of discrimination, which focuses on how individuals are treated differently because of belonging to specific demographic groups. Such treatment can lead to systemic inequality and social issues.

While the other options pertain to factors that can influence treatment — like academic performance, personal beliefs, or age — they do not encapsulate the broader concept of discrimination as effectively as group membership does. These factors may contribute to how a person is perceived or treated in certain contexts, but they do not universally signify membership in a distinct group, which is central to the understanding of discrimination.