What standard is used for evaluating whether advertising is discriminatory?

The correct choice, the ordinary reader standard, is used to assess whether advertising is discriminatory by considering how an average person, with typical knowledge and experience, would perceive the advertisement. This standard helps ensure that the evaluation is grounded in the realistic interpretation of language and imagery used in the advertisement, as opposed to specialized knowledge or legal jargon that may not be accessible to the general public.

In applying the ordinary reader standard, the focus is on the way the advertisement is likely to be interpreted by the target audience, helping to identify potential biases or stereotypes that may be communicated through the content. This is crucial in assessing whether the advertisement may instill prejudice or reinforce existing discriminatory attitudes, thereby guiding advertisers to create more inclusive and fair marketing messages.

The other standards presented do have their uses but do not specifically address the perception of the general public. The legal standard focuses on laws and regulations governing discrimination, and the industry standard looks at practices within a particular industry; however, they may not capture the subjective interpretation that the average reader might have of an advertisement. The common sense standard is somewhat informal and subjective, lacking the rigor that the ordinary reader standard provides in evaluating communications.