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

In her book The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. Du Bois argues that:

  1. African Americans have a distinct double consciousness

  2. African Americans are excluded from mainstream American society

  3. African Americans are capable of achieving full equality in American society

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

Du Bois's book explores the complex and multifaceted experiences of African Americans in the United States, arguing that they have a distinct double consciousness, are excluded from mainstream American society, but are also capable of achieving full equality.

Multiple choice

The term 'environmental racism' refers to:

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

  2. The intentional discrimination against minority and low-income communities in environmental decision-making

  3. The lack of access to environmental resources for minority and low-income communities

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

Environmental racism encompasses the disproportionate exposure of minority and low-income communities to environmental hazards, intentional discrimination against these communities in environmental decision-making, and the lack of access to environmental resources for these communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the systematic and institutionalized discrimination against a particular racial or ethnic group?

  1. Racism

  2. Segregation

  3. Apartheid

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

Racism, segregation, and apartheid are all forms of systematic and institutionalized discrimination against a particular racial or ethnic group.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are separated from each other?

  1. Segregation

  2. Apartheid

  3. Discrimination

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

Segregation is the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are separated from each other.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are forced to live in separate and unequal communities?

  1. Segregation

  2. Apartheid

  3. Discrimination

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

Apartheid is the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are forced to live in separate and unequal communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are discriminated against in employment, housing, education, and other areas of life?

  1. Segregation

  2. Apartheid

  3. Discrimination

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

Discrimination is the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are discriminated against in employment, housing, education, and other areas of life.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are forced to live in separate and unequal communities?

  1. Segregation

  2. Apartheid

  3. Discrimination

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

Apartheid is the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are forced to live in separate and unequal communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are discriminated against in employment, housing, education, and other areas of life?

  1. Segregation

  2. Apartheid

  3. Discrimination

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

Discrimination is the process by which people of different racial or ethnic groups are discriminated against in employment, housing, education, and other areas of life.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a major dimension of social stratification?

  1. Class

  2. Race

  3. Gender

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

Age is not a major dimension of social stratification, as it does not consistently predict life chances or opportunities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the portrayal of a particular racial or ethnic group in a stereotypical or exaggerated manner?

  1. Stereotyping

  2. Racism

  3. Discrimination

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

Stereotyping is the process of attributing certain characteristics to a group of people based on their race or ethnicity, often in a negative or exaggerated manner.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of colorblind racism?

  1. Denying that racism exists

  2. Believing that all races are equal

  3. Ignoring racial differences

  4. Treating people of different races the same
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Colorblind racism is the idea that race is not a relevant factor in society and that people should be treated equally regardless of their race. However, this approach can ignore the very real experiences of racism and discrimination that people of color face.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which media images and messages shape our perceptions of race and ethnicity?

  1. Media framing

  2. Media bias

  3. Media representation

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

Media framing is the process by which media outlets select and present information in a way that influences how audiences perceive and understand an issue or event.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of media bias in the representation of race and ethnicity?

  1. Portraying people of color as criminals or thugs

  2. Ignoring the experiences of people of color

  3. Overrepresenting people of color in negative roles

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

Media bias in the representation of race and ethnicity can take many forms, including portraying people of color in negative roles, ignoring their experiences, and overrepresenting them in negative roles.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of excluding people of color from media images and messages?

  1. Whitewashing

  2. Colorblind casting

  3. Tokenism

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

Whitewashing is the practice of excluding people of color from media images and messages, or portraying them in a way that erases their racial or ethnic identity.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of tokenism in the representation of race and ethnicity in the media?

  1. Including a single person of color in a cast of all white characters

  2. Portraying people of color in stereotypical roles

  3. Ignoring the experiences of people of color

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

Tokenism is the practice of including a single person of color in a cast of all white characters, or in a way that suggests that they are the only representative of their racial or ethnic group.