What does the term block busting refer to?

The term "block busting" refers to the practice of instilling fear in property owners that individuals from protected classes, such as racial or ethnic minorities, are moving into their neighborhood. This fear is often exploited by real estate agents or speculators who encourage homeowners to sell their properties quickly and often at an undervalue, leading to a turnover in home ownership in that area. The strategy is typically motivated by profit, as these agents then resell the properties at a higher price to the newcomers.

Block busting negatively impacts communities by creating racial and ethnic segregation and causing economic instability through manipulated housing markets. The underlying principle of block busting revolves around exploiting the fears and prejudices of existing residents to drive real estate transactions that benefit the instigator, which is why option B captures the essence of the term accurately.