How does `this` differ from `super` in Java?

The distinction between this and super in Java is fundamental to understanding how objects and inheritance work in the language. The correct choice indicates that this refers to the current instance of the class, providing a way to access instance variables and methods within that particular object. For instance, in a method of a class, using this allows you to differentiate between instance variables and method parameters that might have the same name.

On the other hand, super is used to refer to the superclass (the parent class) of the current object. It allows access to methods and variables defined in the superclass, enabling properties like method overriding to be utilized effectively. By using super, you can invoke the superclass constructor or call overridden methods, which is essential for managing inheritance hierarchies and ensuring that the parent class's behavior is appropriately utilized.

This clear differentiation is vital in object-oriented programming because it helps in maintaining the structure of code and ensuring that the correct methods and attributes are accessed depending on the context of the current object versus its superclass.