What aspect of social psychology considers how people are judged and treated based on their group memberships?

The focus of the question is on how individuals are evaluated and treated in relation to their affiliations with specific groups, which is fundamentally linked to the concept of discrimination. Discrimination involves prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their belonging to certain groups, whether those are defined by race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. This is a core area of study within social psychology, as it directly relates to the dynamics of group membership and the consequences of in-group versus out-group classifications.

While group dynamics explores how individuals behave in and interact within groups, including their relationships and cohesion, it does not specifically address the judgment or treatment that arises from being part of a group. Social norms refer to the accepted standards of behavior within a society or group, which can inform the context of discrimination but do not exclusively encompass how people are treated based on group membership. Behavioural economics, on the other hand, deals with the psychological factors that influence economic decision-making and is not directly related to the social judgments based on group affiliations. Therefore, understanding discrimination is key to analyzing how social psychology addresses issues surrounding group memberships and their impacts on individuals.