Social Science ยท Civics Polity

Social Inequality and Discrimination

1,938 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 'ambivalence' in postcolonial theory?

  1. The feeling of being both attracted to and repelled by the colonizer.

  2. The feeling of being both superior to and inferior to the colonizer.

  3. The feeling of being both different from and similar to the colonizer.

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

The concept of 'ambivalence' in postcolonial theory refers to the feeling of being both attracted to and repelled by the colonizer, both superior to and inferior to the colonizer, and both different from and similar to the colonizer.

Multiple choice

What is the libertarian stance on affirmative action?

  1. Affirmative action is necessary to correct past discrimination

  2. Affirmative action is unfair to those who are not members of minority groups

  3. Affirmative action should be limited to certain areas

  4. Affirmative action should be abolished
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Libertarians typically argue that affirmative action is unfair to those who are not members of minority groups, as it discriminates against them based on their race or gender.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of how social structures can be used to justify historical injustices?

  1. The doctrine of Manifest Destiny used to justify the colonization of North America.

  2. The idea of racial superiority used to justify slavery and segregation.

  3. The concept of the divine right of kings used to justify absolute monarchy.

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

Social structures can be used to justify historical injustices by providing ideological frameworks that legitimize and rationalize oppressive practices and beliefs.

Multiple choice

Which social class is most likely to experience discrimination and prejudice?

  1. Upper class

  2. Middle class

  3. Working class

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

The lower class is disproportionately affected by discrimination and prejudice compared to other social classes.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the long-lasting effects of slavery on individuals, communities, and societies?

  1. Post-slavery trauma

  2. Legacy of slavery

  3. Slavery's aftermath

  4. Slavery's impact
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The term 'legacy of slavery' encompasses the enduring consequences and effects of slavery on individuals, communities, and societies, including systemic racism, inequality, and discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the systemic discrimination against people of color in the United States?

  1. Institutional racism

  2. Structural racism

  3. Systemic racism

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

Institutional racism, structural racism, and systemic racism are all terms used to describe the systemic discrimination against people of color in the United States.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the mass incarceration of people of color in the United States?

  1. Mass incarceration

  2. Prison industrial complex

  3. New Jim Crow

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

Mass incarceration, prison industrial complex, and New Jim Crow are all terms used to describe the mass incarceration of people of color in the United States.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the idea that the United States is a nation founded on both freedom and slavery?

  1. Dual heritage

  2. Double consciousness

  3. Racial paradox

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

Dual heritage, double consciousness, and racial paradox are all terms used to describe the idea that the United States is a nation founded on both freedom and slavery.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the idea that race is a social construct rather than a biological reality?

  1. Social constructivism

  2. Racial essentialism

  3. Scientific racism

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

Social constructivism is the idea that race is a social construct rather than a biological reality.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the idea that racism is a system of power and privilege that benefits white people at the expense of people of color?

  1. Critical race theory

  2. White privilege

  3. Institutional racism

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

Critical race theory, white privilege, and institutional racism are all terms used to describe the idea that racism is a system of power and privilege that benefits white people at the expense of people of color.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the idea that reparations should be paid to descendants of enslaved people as a form of compensation for the harms caused by slavery?

  1. Reparations

  2. Restorative justice

  3. Racial justice

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

Reparations, restorative justice, and racial justice are all terms used to describe the idea that reparations should be paid to descendants of enslaved people as a form of compensation for the harms caused by slavery.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate impact of environmental pollution on low-income and minority communities?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental injustice

  3. Environmental degradation

  4. Environmental inequality
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental injustice refers to the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities, including exposure to air pollution.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of representing a group of people in a way that is not accurate or respectful?

  1. Misrepresentation

  2. Stereotyping

  3. Tokenism

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

Misrepresentation is the practice of representing a group of people in a way that is not accurate or respectful. This can include stereotypes, tokenism, and whitewashing.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of including a small number of members of a minority group in a work of literature or media in order to give the appearance of diversity?

  1. Stereotyping

  2. Tokenism

  3. Misrepresentation

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

Tokenism is the practice of including a small number of members of a minority group in a work of literature or media in order to give the appearance of diversity. This can be harmful as it suggests that the inclusion of these characters is simply a token gesture.

Multiple choice

What are the three main types of sentencing disparities?

  1. Racial disparities, ethnic disparities, and gender disparities

  2. Socioeconomic disparities, educational disparities, and employment disparities

  3. Urban disparities, rural disparities, and suburban disparities

  4. Age disparities, health disparities, and disability disparities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The three main types of sentencing disparities are racial disparities, ethnic disparities, and gender disparities.