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 situation where a poll's results are biased due to the exclusion of certain groups of people from the sample?

  1. Non-response error

  2. Sampling error

  3. Response bias

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

Non-response error refers to the bias introduced into a poll's results due to the exclusion of certain groups of people from the sample.

Multiple choice

What is environmental racism?

  1. The intentional or unintentional placement of hazardous waste facilities, polluting industries, and other environmental hazards in or near minority communities.

  2. The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority communities.

  3. The lack of access to environmental amenities, such as parks and green spaces, in minority communities.

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

Environmental racism is a complex issue that encompasses a variety of factors, including the intentional or unintentional placement of hazardous waste facilities, polluting industries, and other environmental hazards in or near minority communities, the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority communities, and the lack of access to environmental amenities, such as parks and green spaces, in minority communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the spatial segregation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace?

  1. Queer ghettoization

  2. LGBTQ+ clustering

  3. Occupational segregation

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

Queer ghettoization refers to the concentration of LGBTQ+ individuals in certain occupations or industries, often due to discrimination and limited opportunities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where students from different socioeconomic backgrounds attend different schools?

  1. Educational segregation

  2. School segregation

  3. Socioeconomic segregation

  4. Income-based segregation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

School segregation refers to the separation of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds into different schools, leading to unequal access to educational resources and opportunities.

Multiple choice

Which racial group in the United States has historically faced the most significant economic inequality?

  1. African Americans

  2. Hispanic Americans

  3. Asian Americans

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

African Americans have historically faced the most significant economic inequality in the United States, with persistent disparities in income, wealth, and access to opportunities. This inequality is rooted in centuries of systemic racism and discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the concentration of poverty in specific geographic areas?

  1. Spatial inequality

  2. Residential segregation

  3. Economic clustering

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

Residential segregation refers to the concentration of poverty and racial minorities in specific geographic areas. This segregation can lead to limited access to resources, services, and opportunities, further exacerbating racial inequality.

Multiple choice

Which policy has been effective in reducing racial inequality in the United States?

  1. Affirmative action

  2. Minimum wage laws

  3. Universal basic income

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

Affirmative action policies, which aim to address historical discrimination and promote equal opportunity, have been effective in reducing racial inequality in the United States. These policies have helped increase representation of racial minorities in education, employment, and government.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which racial inequality is passed down from one generation to the next?

  1. Intergenerational poverty

  2. Racial wealth gap

  3. Residential segregation

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

Intergenerational poverty refers to the process by which racial inequality is passed down from one generation to the next. This can occur through limited access to education, employment, and housing, as well as discrimination in the criminal justice system.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which racial inequality is perpetuated through laws, policies, and institutions?

  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 all refer to the process by which racial inequality is perpetuated through laws, policies, and institutions. These forms of racism are embedded in the fabric of society and can be difficult to identify and address.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe discrimination based on skin color or other physical characteristics associated with race or ethnicity?

  1. Racism

  2. Colorism

  3. Xenophobia

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

Colorism is a form of discrimination that specifically targets individuals based on their skin color or other physical characteristics associated with race or ethnicity.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of colorism?

  1. Preferring lighter-skinned individuals for job opportunities

  2. Segregating people based on their skin color

  3. Denying housing to individuals based on their race

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

Colorism can manifest in various forms, including preferential treatment for lighter-skinned individuals in employment, housing, and other areas of life.

Multiple choice

How does colorism intersect with other forms of discrimination?

  1. It is independent of other forms of discrimination

  2. It intersects with racism and classism

  3. It intersects with sexism and xenophobia

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

Colorism often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as racism, classism, sexism, and xenophobia, creating a complex web of oppression.

Multiple choice

What are some of the consequences of colorism?

  1. Lower self-esteem and mental health issues

  2. Limited opportunities in education and employment

  3. Increased risk of poverty and discrimination

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

Colorism can have detrimental effects on individuals, leading to lower self-esteem, mental health issues, limited opportunities, and increased vulnerability to poverty and discrimination.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of prejudice?

  1. Believing that all members of a particular social class are lazy.

  2. Assuming that someone from a lower social class is less intelligent.

  3. Discriminating against someone based on their social class.

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

Prejudice encompasses negative attitudes, beliefs, and feelings towards members of a particular social class, including generalizations, assumptions, and discriminatory behaviors.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of discrimination based on social class?

  1. Denying someone a job opportunity because of their social class.

  2. Charging higher prices for goods and services to members of a lower social class.

  3. Providing better healthcare services to members of a higher social class.

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

Discrimination based on social class can manifest in various forms, including denying job opportunities, charging higher prices for goods and services, and providing unequal access to healthcare and other essential services.