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

Which racial/ethnic group in the United States has the lowest rate of mental illness?

  1. African Americans

  2. Native Americans

  3. Hispanics

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

Whites have the lowest rate of mental illness in the United States, with 17.3% of adults experiencing a mental illness in the past year, compared to 20.6% of African Americans, 15.5% of Hispanics, and 12.8% of Asians.

Multiple choice

Which racial/ethnic group in the United States is most likely to experience depression?

  1. African Americans

  2. Native Americans

  3. Hispanics

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

African Americans are most likely to experience depression in the United States, with 10.6% of adults experiencing depression in the past year, compared to 7.5% of Whites, 6.5% of Hispanics, and 5.2% of Asians.

Multiple choice

Which racial/ethnic group in the United States is most likely to experience anxiety?

  1. African Americans

  2. Native Americans

  3. Hispanics

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

Hispanics are most likely to experience anxiety in the United States, with 10.3% of adults experiencing anxiety in the past year, compared to 8.9% of Whites, 8.7% of African Americans, and 7.9% of Asians.

Multiple choice

What are some of the factors that contribute to the higher rates of mental illness among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States?

  1. Discrimination

  2. Poverty

  3. Lack of access to healthcare

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

Discrimination, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare are all factors that contribute to the higher rates of mental illness among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States.

Multiple choice

What is the relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health?

  1. Race/ethnicity is a major determinant of mental health.

  2. Race/ethnicity is a minor determinant of mental health.

  3. Race/ethnicity is not a determinant of mental health.

  4. The relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health is complex and multifaceted.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health is complex and multifaceted, and it is influenced by a variety of factors, including discrimination, poverty, and access to healthcare.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of environmental racism?

  1. The disproportionate exposure of minority and low-income communities to environmental hazards

  2. The intentional discrimination against certain groups based on their environmental beliefs

  3. The denial of access to natural resources by certain groups based on their race or ethnicity

  4. The use of environmental regulations to target specific communities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate exposure of minority and low-income communities to environmental hazards, such as pollution, toxic waste, and climate change impacts. This systemic issue results from historical and ongoing discrimination and has significant implications for human rights and environmental justice.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon of LGBTQ+ travelers facing discrimination or prejudice while traveling?

  1. Homophobia in Travel

  2. LGBTQ+ Travel Discrimination

  3. Pinkwashing

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

LGBTQ+ Travel Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment, prejudice, or bias experienced by LGBTQ+ travelers during their journeys.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of excluding LGBTQ+ people from certain places or activities?

  1. LGBTQ+ Discrimination

  2. Pinkwashing

  3. Rainbow Tourism

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

LGBTQ+ Discrimination refers to the practice of excluding LGBTQ+ people from certain places or activities.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of direct discrimination?

  1. Denying someone a job based on their race

  2. Charging higher prices to customers based on their gender

  3. Providing preferential treatment to certain groups based on their socioeconomic status

  4. Creating policies that disproportionately benefit certain groups
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Direct discrimination involves treating individuals differently based on their personal characteristics, such as race, gender, or religion, in a way that results in unequal opportunities or outcomes.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe discrimination that is embedded in institutions and policies, even if it is not intended?

  1. Institutional discrimination

  2. Structural discrimination

  3. Systemic discrimination

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

Institutional discrimination refers to discrimination that is embedded in the structures and institutions of society, such as laws, policies, and practices, and which results in unequal opportunities and outcomes for certain groups.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of institutional discrimination?

  1. A law that requires all citizens to have a high school diploma in order to vote

  2. A policy that provides preferential treatment to veterans in hiring

  3. A practice of redlining that restricts access to housing for certain racial groups

  4. A belief that women are less capable than men in leadership positions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Redlining is an example of institutional discrimination because it is a practice that is embedded in the housing system and results in unequal access to housing for certain racial groups.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination, such as racism and sexism?

  1. Intersectionality

  2. Multiple discrimination

  3. Compound discrimination

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

Intersectionality is a term used to describe the ways in which different forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and classism, overlap and interact to create unique experiences of oppression and disadvantage.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of intersectionality?

  1. A black woman who experiences discrimination based on both her race and gender

  2. A gay man who experiences discrimination based on his sexual orientation and his socioeconomic status

  3. A disabled person who experiences discrimination based on their disability and their age

  4. A Muslim woman who experiences discrimination based on her religion and her ethnicity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Intersectionality recognizes that individuals can experience multiple forms of discrimination simultaneously, and that these forms of discrimination interact to create unique experiences of oppression and disadvantage.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of affirmative action policies?

  1. They can lead to reverse discrimination

  2. They can create a sense of resentment among non-beneficiaries

  3. They can undermine the principle of meritocracy

  4. They can promote diversity and inclusion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Affirmative action policies are designed to promote diversity and inclusion, not undermine them.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of reducing inequality and creating a more just and equitable society?

  1. Social justice

  2. Economic justice

  3. Distributive justice

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

Social justice is the process of reducing inequality and creating a more just and equitable society. It involves addressing the root causes of poverty and discrimination, promoting human rights, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.