National Investigators Exam (NIE) Practice Exam

Discrimination by association occurs when:

1. A person is treated poorly due to their own characteristics

2. A person has an association with someone with a different protected characteristic

3. A person is perceived to have a missing protected characteristic

4. A general policy unfavorably impacts a specific group

The correct answer is: A person has an association with someone with a different protected characteristic

Discrimination by association is a concept that refers to situations where an individual is treated unfairly not because of their own characteristics, but due to their relationship with someone who possesses a protected characteristic. This can include being associated with a partner, family member, or friend who may be part of a vulnerable group, leading to negative treatment or prejudicial behavior that extends to the individual due to that connection. In this context, the correct answer highlights the essence of this type of discrimination, demonstrating how societal biases can extend beyond the individuals directly affected. By focusing on the association rather than the person’s own characteristics, it illustrates the ripple effects that discrimination can have, affecting individuals who may not share or display those attributes but are nonetheless subjected to similar prejudices by virtue of their connections. This understanding is crucial for recognizing how discrimination can manifest in various forms and emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals in all their relationships. Other options address different forms of discrimination, such as direct discrimination based on personal characteristics or broad policies affecting groups, but they do not capture the specific dynamics involved in discrimination by association.