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 term used to describe the practice of assigning different social status and privileges to individuals based on their caste?

  1. Casteism

  2. Discrimination

  3. Segregation

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

Casteism refers to the practice of assigning different social status and privileges to individuals based on their caste. It involves discrimination, segregation, and the denial of equal opportunities to certain caste groups.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the discrimination and prejudice that LGBTQ+ individuals face?

  1. Homophobia

  2. Transphobia

  3. Biphobia

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

Homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia are all forms of discrimination and prejudice that LGBTQ+ individuals face.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which individuals or groups are denied opportunities and resources, leading to their marginalization and isolation from mainstream society?

  1. Social exclusion

  2. Social stratification

  3. Social mobility

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

Social exclusion is a multidimensional process that encompasses various forms of deprivation, discrimination, and marginalization, resulting in the exclusion of individuals or groups from mainstream society.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental inequality

  3. Environmental injustice

  4. Environmental degradation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental injustice refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities, often due to historical and ongoing discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of siting hazardous facilities in or near marginalized communities?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental inequality

  3. Environmental injustice

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

Redlining is the practice of denying financial services or insurance to certain areas, often based on racial or ethnic composition. This practice has historically resulted in the concentration of hazardous facilities in or near marginalized communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities?

  1. Climate injustice

  2. Climate inequality

  3. Climate racism

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

Climate change disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, a phenomenon known as climate injustice, climate inequality, or climate racism.

Multiple choice

What is the legal doctrine that allows states to consider race as a factor in college admissions?

  1. Affirmative action

  2. Strict scrutiny

  3. Intermediate scrutiny

  4. Deference to legislative judgment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Affirmative action is a legal doctrine that allows states to consider race as a factor in college admissions to promote diversity and address historical discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to perform worse academically than their more advantaged peers?

  1. Educational Inequality

  2. Achievement Gap

  3. Social Mobility

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

The achievement gap refers to the disparity in academic performance between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to have lower expectations and aspirations for their educational attainment?

  1. Educational Disadvantage

  2. Social Disadvantage

  3. Aspiration Gap

  4. Economic Disadvantage
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The aspiration gap refers to the disparity in educational aspirations between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of homophily?

  1. The tendency for individuals to associate with others who are similar to them.

  2. The tendency for individuals to associate with others who are different from them.

  3. The tendency for individuals to associate with others who are in the same social class.

  4. The tendency for individuals to associate with others who are in the same racial or ethnic group.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Homophily is the tendency for individuals to associate with others who are similar to them in terms of their social characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, social class, and education.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of young athletes playing on teams that are composed of players from different racial or ethnic backgrounds?

  1. Racial and ethnic diversity

  2. Inclusion

  3. Equity

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

Racial and ethnic diversity is a controversial issue in youth sports, as it can lead to a lack of access to sports for some young athletes and a lack of fair competition.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in children's outcomes?

  1. Residential segregation

  2. Discrimination

  3. Cultural differences

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

While cultural differences can exist between racial and ethnic groups, they are not inherently a cause of disparities. Disparities are often the result of systemic factors such as discrimination and residential segregation.

Multiple choice

According to research, children from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to experience which of the following?

  1. Poverty

  2. Food insecurity

  3. Exposure to violence

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

Research has shown that children from racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by poverty, food insecurity, and exposure to violence.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of how racial socialization can impact children's development?

  1. Children may develop a sense of pride in their racial or ethnic heritage.

  2. Children may develop a sense of inferiority or superiority based on their race or ethnicity.

  3. Children may develop negative stereotypes about other racial or ethnic groups.

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

Racial socialization can have a significant impact on children's development, shaping their sense of identity, their attitudes towards others, and their overall well-being.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon in which children from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than their white peers?

  1. The school-to-prison pipeline

  2. The racial discipline gap

  3. The achievement gap

  4. The opportunity gap
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The racial discipline gap refers to the disproportionate rates of suspension and expulsion of children from racial and ethnic minority groups compared to their white peers.