selectivity

Noun

selectivity (countable and uncountable, plural selectivities)

1. The quality of being selective, or extent to which something is selective.
   • […] while music was known to have scientific qualities — harmony, Pythagorean proportional relationship, etc. — it was the musician who by his selectivity made these proportions beautiful, […]1984, Art International, volume 27, page 53
   • “We must stop conflating selectivity with excellence. We must stop correlating prestige with privilege,” he said.2022 September 12, Deidre McPhillips, “Critiques mount around popular annual college rankings”, in CNN

   Synonyms:

   discernment

2. The ability of a radio receiver to separate a desired signal frequency from others.
3. Discrimination of a reactant towards a choice of other reactants; the ratio of rate constants for different reactants.
4. An approach to social work that prioritizes people perceived as having the most need for assistance.
   • Proponents of selectivity herald its cost effectiveness; instead of resources being spread over a vast population, money or services can be used where they are most needed. This can help fill in the gaps between needy and non-needy groups. […] Critics of selectivity argue, however, that it may be...2015, Philip R. Popple and Leslie Leighninger, quoted in 2016, Karen K. Kirst-Ashman, Empowerment Series: Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare (page 233)