Disparate Impact Theory
Disparate Impact Theory refers to a legal concept that addresses situations where a policy or practice, though seemingly neutral, disproportionately affects a particular group of people, often based on race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. It highlights that even unintentional discrimination can occur when outcomes disadvantage certain groups more than others. For instance, if a company’s hiring tests inadvertently screen out a higher percentage of applicants from a specific demographic, this could be seen as a violation of anti-discrimination laws, even if there was no intent to discriminate. The focus is on the effects of the policies rather than the intent behind them.
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Disparate impact theory refers to a legal concept used to identify discrimination that occurs when a policy or practice disproportionately affects a particular group, even if there is no intention to discriminate. For example, if a hiring test results in fewer job offers to a minority group compared to others, that could be seen as disparate impact. The focus is on the outcomes of actions rather than the intentions behind them, meaning that even well-meaning policies can still lead to unfair disadvantages for certain groups. This theory is often invoked in cases related to employment, housing, and education.