What term is used to describe prejudice and discrimination based on age?

The term that describes prejudice and discrimination based on age is ageism. Ageism involves negative attitudes, beliefs, and discriminatory practices directed towards individuals or groups based solely on their age. It can manifest in various ways, such as stereotypes about younger or older individuals, societal views that devalue certain age groups, and discriminatory policies affecting access to employment, healthcare, or social services.

Understanding ageism is important in psychology because it can impact the mental and emotional well-being of those targeted by such discrimination, and it reflects broader societal attitudes toward aging and youth. The other terms provided refer to different forms of discrimination: sexism refers to prejudice based on sex or gender, racism pertains to discrimination based on race or ethnicity, and classism relates to discrimination based on social class. Each of these terms captures a distinct type of social bias and discrimination that is relevant in various contexts but does not encompass the concept of age-related prejudice.