Social Science ยท Civics Polity

Social Inequality and Discrimination

2,011 Questions

Social inequality and discrimination involve the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities based on race, class, or gender. These concepts are frequently tested in UPSC, state PSC, and SSC exams. Practicing these questions helps clarify key sociological theories and structural challenges.

Environmental racism conceptsRacial prejudice strategiesWorkplace discrimination policiesMedia representation issuesSocial equality principles

Social Inequality and Discrimination Questions

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'intersectionality' in Indian philosophy of race?

  1. It refers to the idea that multiple forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, intersect and overlap, creating unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization.

  2. It refers to the concept of racial purity and the preservation of racial identity.

  3. It refers to the idea of racial difference and the diversity of racial groups.

  4. It refers to the concept of racial harmony and the peaceful coexistence of different racial groups.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The concept of 'intersectionality' in Indian philosophy of race refers to the idea that multiple forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, intersect and overlap, creating unique experiences of discrimination and marginalization, highlighting the interconnectedness of different forms of oppression.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of prejudice?

  1. Lack of contact with people from different groups

  2. Negative experiences with people from different groups

  3. Media portrayals of people from different groups

  4. Personal gain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Personal gain is not a common cause of prejudice. Prejudice is typically based on negative attitudes and beliefs about people from different groups, rather than on a desire for personal gain.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of prejudice?

  1. Discrimination

  2. Conflict

  3. Violence

  4. Positive attitudes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Positive attitudes are not a consequence of prejudice. Prejudice typically leads to negative attitudes and beliefs about people from different groups.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of prejudice?

  1. Racism

  2. Sexism

  3. Classism

  4. Ageism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ageism is not a type of prejudice. Prejudice is typically based on negative attitudes and beliefs about people from different groups, while ageism is based on negative attitudes and beliefs about people of different ages.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce prejudice?

  1. Increasing contact between people from different groups

  2. Challenging negative stereotypes

  3. Promoting diversity

  4. Punishing people for being prejudiced
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Punishing people for being prejudiced is not an effective way to reduce prejudice. It is more effective to focus on changing attitudes and beliefs through education and awareness-raising.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of discrimination?

  1. Institutional discrimination

  2. Individual discrimination

  3. Structural discrimination

  4. Positive discrimination
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Positive discrimination is not a type of discrimination. It is a policy or practice that aims to give advantages to members of disadvantaged groups in order to achieve equality.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce discrimination?

  1. Enforcing anti-discrimination laws

  2. Promoting diversity

  3. Educating people about the causes and consequences of discrimination

  4. Punishing people for being discriminatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Punishing people for being discriminatory is not an effective way to reduce discrimination. It is more effective to focus on changing attitudes and beliefs through education and awareness-raising.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a promising direction for future prejudice research?

  1. Neuroscience research on prejudice

  2. Cross-cultural research on prejudice

  3. Research on the role of the media in prejudice

  4. Research on the effectiveness of prejudice reduction interventions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Research on the role of the media in prejudice is not a promising direction for future prejudice research. There is already a large body of research on this topic, and it is unlikely that new research will yield significant new insights.

Multiple choice

What are the three main types of fairness?

  1. Distributive, procedural, and retributive.

  2. Procedural, retributive, and commutative.

  3. Distributive, commutative, and restorative.

  4. Procedural, distributive, and restorative.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The three main types of fairness are distributive, procedural, and retributive. Distributive fairness is the fairness of the distribution of resources, procedural fairness is the fairness of the procedures used to make decisions, and retributive fairness is the fairness of the punishment of wrongdoing.

Multiple choice

Historically, what has been a significant factor contributing to the racial gap in homeownership rates?

  1. Redlining

  2. Affirmative Action

  3. Subprime Lending

  4. Gentrification
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Redlining was a discriminatory practice by banks and mortgage lenders in which certain neighborhoods were deemed too risky for lending, often based on the racial composition of the residents. This practice made it difficult for Black and other minority families to obtain mortgages and purchase homes.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of refusing to sell or rent a home to someone based on their race or ethnicity?

  1. Redlining

  2. Blockbusting

  3. White Flight

  4. Steering
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Refusal to sell or rent a home to someone based on their race or ethnicity is a form of housing discrimination.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a criticism of conservative multiculturalism?

  1. It is too restrictive.

  2. It is discriminatory.

  3. It is outdated.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Critics of conservative multiculturalism argue that it is too restrictive, discriminatory, and outdated.

Multiple choice

What is the primary psychological factor that contributes to hate crimes?

  1. Prejudice

  2. Discrimination

  3. Stereotyping

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hate crimes are motivated by prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping, which are all psychological factors that contribute to the development of hate crimes.

Multiple choice

What are some of the psychological factors that can contribute to hate crimes?

  1. Prejudice

  2. Stereotyping

  3. Scapegoating

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Psychological factors such as prejudice, stereotyping, and scapegoating can all contribute to hate crimes.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of using racial or ethnic data to draw electoral district boundaries?

  1. Racial gerrymandering

  2. Gerrymandering

  3. Electoral fraud

  4. Ballot stuffing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Racial gerrymandering is the practice of using racial or ethnic data to draw electoral district boundaries, with the intent of diluting the voting power of minority groups.