Which term refers to discrimination embedded in institutional policies and practices?

• A. Social Reproduction
• B. Institutional Discrimination
• C. Cultural Relativism
• D. Latent Learning

Answer: (B)

Institutional discrimination is discrimination built into the policies and practices of social institutions, leading to unequal outcomes through the system as a whole. It happens not because of a few biased individuals, but because rules, procedures, and norms within schools, workplaces, housing, and the justice system consistently disadvantage certain groups. For example, when funding for schools depends on local property taxes, wealthier areas get more resources, while poorer areas fall behind, perpetuating inequity. Or when disciplinary policies in schools disproportionately target students of particular backgrounds, resulting in higher suspension rates and long-term consequences. The essence is that bias is embedded in the structure itself, shaping opportunities and treatments across generations.

The other terms describe different ideas. Social reproduction refers to how inequality persists across generations through education, family culture, and social networks. Cultural relativism is the practice of evaluating beliefs and practices within their own cultural context without ethnocentric judgment. Latent learning is learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement but is not immediately expressed in behavior.