Which term describes the visible act of favoring or opposing a person based on group membership rather than individual merit?

The term that best describes the visible act of favoring or opposing a person based on group membership rather than individual merit is discrimination. Discrimination involves treating individuals differently or unjustly based on their belonging to a particular group, which can be based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics. This behavior often manifests in actions such as exclusion, unequal opportunities, or biased treatment in various settings, such as workplaces or educational environments.

Stereotypes refer to oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group, while prejudice is an unfounded or biased attitude towards individuals based on their group affiliation. Ethnocentrism is the belief in the superiority of one's own culture or ethnic group, leading to an evaluation of other cultures based on the standards of one's own. While these terms are interconnected, discrimination specifically addresses the actions taken against individuals because of their group membership, making it the most accurate choice in this context.