What term describes deception that results in damage to another person's reputation?

The term that describes deception resulting in damage to another person's reputation is defamation. This encompasses both slander and libel.

Defamation refers broadly to making false statements about someone that injure that person's reputation. When such statements are spoken, they are classified as slander. In contrast, if the statements are written or published, they fall under the category of libel. Both slander and libel are forms of defamation, but they differ in the medium through which the damaging statement is communicated.

In this case, the correct answer connects clearly to the broader concept of defamation. While slander specifically involves spoken words, it is important to recognize that all forms of reputation-damaging statements are categorized under the umbrella of defamation. Thus, it is critical to understand the distinction and context in which these terms are applied.