Social Science ยท Civics Polity

Social Inequality and Discrimination

2,011 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 separation of racial or ethnic groups within a society, often enforced through laws or social norms?

  1. Segregation

  2. Assimilation

  3. Integration

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

Segregation refers to the physical and social separation of racial or ethnic groups, often resulting in unequal access to resources and opportunities.

Multiple choice

Which policy or approach aims to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all?

  1. Affirmative Action

  2. Colorblindness

  3. Multiculturalism

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

Colorblindness policies and practices aim to treat all individuals equally, regardless of their race or ethnicity, and to eliminate racial and ethnic considerations in decision-making.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the belief that racial and ethnic groups should be treated equally and have equal rights and opportunities?

  1. Equality

  2. Equity

  3. Diversity

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

Equality refers to the state of being equal in terms of rights, opportunities, and treatment, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Multiple choice

In the movie "Article 15", the protagonist Ayan Ranjan is a police officer investigating a case of caste-based discrimination. How does poverty intersect with caste in shaping the lives of the characters?

  1. Poverty exacerbates the discrimination faced by lower-caste individuals.

  2. The economic disparities between castes contribute to social tensions.

  3. Poverty limits the opportunities for lower-caste individuals to escape discrimination.

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

In "Article 15", poverty and caste intersect to create a complex web of social and economic challenges for the characters.

Multiple choice

Which LGBTQ+ group is more likely to face economic discrimination in the workplace?

  1. Lesbian and gay individuals

  2. Bisexual and transgender individuals

  3. Queer and non-binary individuals

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

All LGBTQ+ groups are more likely to face economic discrimination in the workplace, including wage gaps, limited career opportunities, and unfair treatment, due to prejudice and bias against their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Multiple choice

Which LGBTQ+ group is more likely to experience economic discrimination in the housing market?

  1. Lesbian and gay individuals

  2. Bisexual and transgender individuals

  3. Queer and non-binary individuals

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

All LGBTQ+ groups are more likely to face economic discrimination in the housing market, including higher rent and mortgage rates, limited housing options, and unfair treatment, due to prejudice and bias against their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the negative attitudes and beliefs that can hinder the full participation of individuals with disabilities in society?

  1. Discrimination

  2. Stigma

  3. Prejudice

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

Discrimination, stigma, and prejudice are all terms used to describe the negative attitudes and beliefs that can hinder the full participation of individuals with disabilities in society.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of excluding or marginalizing athletes with disabilities from sports participation?

  1. Disability exclusion

  2. Sports segregation

  3. Disability discrimination

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

Sports apartheid refers to the systematic exclusion and segregation of athletes with disabilities from mainstream sports participation, often due to societal attitudes and prejudices.

Multiple choice

What is environmental racism?

  1. The intentional discrimination against minority communities in environmental decision-making.

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

  3. The lack of access to environmental amenities in minority communities.

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

Environmental racism encompasses a range of issues, including intentional discrimination against minority communities in environmental decision-making, the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority communities, and the lack of access to environmental amenities in minority communities.

Multiple choice

What is environmental racism?

  1. The unequal distribution of environmental hazards to minority communities.

  2. The intentional targeting of minority communities with environmental hazards.

  3. The lack of environmental regulations in minority communities.

  4. The failure of government to address environmental hazards in minority communities.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental racism is the unequal distribution of environmental hazards to minority communities. This can include exposure to air pollution, water pollution, toxic chemicals, and other environmental hazards.

Multiple choice

What are some examples of environmental racism?

  1. The siting of toxic waste dumps in minority communities.

  2. The construction of highways through minority neighborhoods.

  3. The lack of access to clean water in minority communities.

  4. The failure to enforce environmental regulations in minority communities.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental racism can take many forms, including the siting of toxic waste dumps in minority communities, the construction of highways through minority neighborhoods, the lack of access to clean water in minority communities, and the failure to enforce environmental regulations in minority communities.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Wealth

  2. Power

  3. Prestige

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

Race is not a common dimension of social stratification, as it is not based on economic, political, or cultural factors.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the study of the relationship between food and power?

  1. Food politics

  2. Food sociology

  3. Food anthropology

  4. Food economics

  5. Food science
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Food politics is the study of the relationship between food and power, examining how food is used to maintain and challenge social hierarchies and power structures.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a form of racial discrimination in taxation?

  1. A tax rate that is higher for people of color than for white people.

  2. A tax credit that is available only to white people.

  3. A tax deduction that is available only to people of color.

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

A tax rate that is higher for people of color than for white people is a form of racial discrimination because it imposes a greater burden on people of color.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a consequence of racial discrimination in taxation?

  1. People of color are less likely to own homes.

  2. People of color are more likely to live in poverty.

  3. People of color are more likely to be incarcerated.

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

Racial discrimination in taxation can lead to a number of negative consequences for people of color, including a lower likelihood of owning a home, a higher likelihood of living in poverty, and a higher likelihood of being incarcerated.