Social Science · 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 for the practice of targeting people of a particular race for suspicion of crime?

  1. Racial profiling

  2. Racial discrimination

  3. Racial segregation

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

Racial profiling is the practice of targeting people of a particular race for suspicion of crime, while racial discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their race, racial segregation is the practice of separating people into different groups based on their race, and racial essentialism is the idea that people of different races have different physical and mental characteristics.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the fear of foreigners?

  1. Xenophobia

  2. Racism

  3. Ethnocentrism

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

Xenophobia is the fear of foreigners, while racism is the belief that one race is superior to another, ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others, and discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their religion?

  1. Religious discrimination

  2. Racism

  3. Ethnocentrism

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

Religious discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their religion, while racism is the belief that one race is superior to another, ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others, and xenophobia is the fear of foreigners.

Multiple choice

Which concept refers to the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their sexual orientation?

  1. Homophobia

  2. Racism

  3. Ethnocentrism

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

Homophobia is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on their sexual orientation, while racism is the belief that one race is superior to another, ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others, and xenophobia is the fear of foreigners.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of developing and implementing strategies to address issues of linguistic inequality and discrimination?

  1. Language equity planning

  2. Language justice planning

  3. Language rights planning

  4. Language inclusion planning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Language equity planning involves the development and implementation of strategies to address issues of linguistic inequality and discrimination, often with the aim of promoting equal access to education, employment, and other opportunities for speakers of different languages.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Climate apartheid

  2. Climate vulnerability

  3. Climate injustice

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

Climate injustice refers to the unfair and disproportionate distribution of the negative effects of climate change, which often falls heavily on marginalized communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, and the ways in which they create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination and privilege?

  1. Intersectionality

  2. Discrimination

  3. Social Justice

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

Intersectionality is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe the ways in which multiple forms of discrimination can overlap and intersect to create unique and complex experiences of oppression.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'double jeopardy' in the context of intersectionality?

  1. The idea that individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups experience discrimination and oppression in ways that are unique and distinct from those experienced by members of any one group.

  2. The idea that individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups experience discrimination and oppression in ways that are additive and cumulative.

  3. The idea that individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups experience discrimination and oppression in ways that are less severe than those experienced by members of any one group.

  4. The idea that individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups experience discrimination and oppression in ways that are unrelated to their membership in those groups.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The concept of 'double jeopardy' in the context of intersectionality refers to the idea that individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups experience discrimination and oppression in ways that are additive and cumulative, rather than distinct or unrelated.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities?

  1. Climate apartheid

  2. Environmental racism

  3. Climate injustice

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

Environmental racism is the term for the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities. This can include things like higher rates of air pollution, flooding, and heat waves, as well as limited access to green spaces and healthy food.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of challenging and resisting caste-based discrimination and oppression?

  1. Caste Abolition

  2. Caste Resistance

  3. Caste Reform

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

Caste Resistance refers to the process of challenging and resisting caste-based discrimination and oppression. It involves various forms of activism, social movements, and individual actions aimed at dismantling the caste system and promoting equality and social justice for all.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of intersectionality in the context of social justice?

  1. The interconnectedness of multiple forms of discrimination and oppression

  2. The idea that all forms of discrimination are equally harmful

  3. The belief that discrimination should be addressed one issue at a time

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Intersectionality recognizes that individuals may experience multiple forms of discrimination and oppression based on their race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and other factors, and that these forms of discrimination are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of affirmative action in the context of social justice?

  1. Providing special opportunities to marginalized groups to address past discrimination

  2. Treating all individuals equally regardless of their race, gender, or other characteristics

  3. Allowing individuals to discriminate against others based on their personal beliefs

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Affirmative action involves providing special opportunities to marginalized groups to address past discrimination and promote equal opportunity.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a form of discrimination?

  1. Racism

  2. Sexism

  3. Ageism

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

Empathy is not a form of discrimination, as it refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Multiple choice

Which population group is more likely to experience mental health disorders due to discrimination and social stigma?

  1. African Americans

  2. Hispanic/Latinx

  3. Asian Americans

  4. LGBTQ+ individuals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

LGBTQ+ individuals often face discrimination and social stigma, which can lead to increased risk of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of addressing mental health disparities among different populations?

  1. Health equity

  2. Mental health equity

  3. Social justice

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

Mental health equity is the term used to describe the process of addressing mental health disparities among different populations. It involves ensuring that all individuals have access to the mental health services they need, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other factors.