Sociological theory applied to equal opportunities: Discrimination

The idea

Discrimination is the unequal treatment of a person or group because of a characteristic such as sex, race, disability, age, religion or social class. It differs from prejudice, which is the attitude; discrimination is the behaviour or decision that follows. It can be direct, such as refusing a girl a place in a rugby team, or indirect, such as scheduling a disability session only at a time with no accessible transport. In physical education and sport it can occur in selection, coaching, funding, media coverage, facility access and kit provision. A useful method is to identify the decision, the characteristic it targets, and the unequal outcome it produces.

What earns the marks

• Discrimination is unequal or unfair treatment of an individual or group on the basis of a protected or social characteristic.
• Direct discrimination openly treats a group less favourably, for example excluding a performer because of their sex.
• Indirect discrimination applies a rule or arrangement that disadvantages a group in practice, even if it appears neutral.
• Discrimination in sport can occur in selection, coaching, funding, media coverage, facility access and kit provision.
• Discrimination reduces participation, progression and opportunity, and can be challenged through inclusive policy and practice.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Using discrimination and prejudice interchangeably.

  Put it right: Prejudice is the attitude, discrimination is the unequal treatment or behaviour.

• Assuming discrimination must be deliberate.

  Put it right: Indirect discrimination can result from a neutral-looking rule that disadvantages a group in practice.

• Restricting discrimination to race or sex alone.

  Put it right: It also applies to disability, age, religion and social class.

• Thinking discrimination only happens at elite level.

  Put it right: It can occur in school physical education, community clubs and recreational provision.

Exam tips

• Read the stem carefully to decide whether it describes an attitude, a behaviour or an outcome, then match the correct term.
• For scenario questions, name the characteristic targeted and the unequal outcome, as both are needed to justify the answer.
• Eliminate options that describe a barrier or a stereotype when the question asks specifically about discrimination.