Sentence:  It is important to distinguish between an <WSD>ism</WSD> and a mere generalization about group differences. Generalizations that have statistical validity are not <WSD>isms</WSD>. An <WSD>ism</WSD> assumes that the generalization applies to an individual. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  An ideology, system of thought, or practice that can be described by a word ending in -ism.