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 systematic discrimination against a particular group of people based on their nationality or country of origin?

  1. Racism

  2. Xenophobia

  3. Sexism

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

Xenophobia refers to the systematic discrimination against a particular group of people based on their nationality or country of origin, often resulting in unequal opportunities and treatment.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the separation of different racial or ethnic groups into distinct residential areas?

  1. Racial and ethnic residential segregation

  2. Racial and ethnic integration

  3. Racial and ethnic assimilation

  4. Racial and ethnic diversity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Racial and ethnic residential segregation refers to the separation of different racial or ethnic groups into distinct residential areas, often leading to the formation of racially or ethnically homogeneous neighborhoods.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to racial and ethnic residential segregation?

  1. Historical discrimination and redlining

  2. Racial steering and blockbusting

  3. Economic disparities and housing affordability

  4. Personal preferences and voluntary choices
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

While personal preferences and voluntary choices may play a role in residential segregation, they are not considered primary causes. Segregation is often driven by systemic factors such as historical discrimination, redlining, racial steering, and economic disparities.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a potential solution to address racial and ethnic residential segregation?

  1. Encouraging fair housing policies and enforcement

  2. Promoting affordable housing and mixed-income developments

  3. Investing in community development and revitalization

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

Addressing racial and ethnic residential segregation requires a combination of strategies, including encouraging fair housing policies and enforcement, promoting affordable housing and mixed-income developments, and investing in community development and revitalization.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of denying mortgages or insurance to certain neighborhoods based on their racial or ethnic composition?

  1. Redlining

  2. Racial steering

  3. Blockbusting

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

Redlining is the practice of denying mortgages or insurance to certain neighborhoods based on their racial or ethnic composition.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which racial or ethnic minorities are concentrated in certain neighborhoods or areas?

  1. Residential segregation

  2. Racial steering

  3. Blockbusting

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

Residential segregation refers to the process by which racial or ethnic minorities are concentrated in certain neighborhoods or areas.

Multiple choice

What is the impact of discrimination on educational attainment?

  1. Increased dropout rates

  2. Lowered test scores

  3. Increased absenteeism

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

Discrimination has a negative impact on educational attainment, leading to increased dropout rates, lowered test scores, and increased absenteeism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a way to combat cultural prejudice and discrimination?

  1. Education

  2. Media representation

  3. Government policies

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

Segregation is not a way to combat cultural prejudice and discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the Batson challenge?

  1. A challenge to the composition of a jury based on race or ethnicity.

  2. A challenge to the impartiality of a juror.

  3. A challenge to the qualifications of a juror.

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

The Batson challenge is a challenge to the composition of a jury based on race or ethnicity.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental injustice

  3. Environmental inequality

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

Environmental injustice refers to the unequal distribution of environmental burdens, such as pollution, waste, and hazardous facilities, among different population groups, often based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Multiple choice

What is environmental racism?

  1. The intentional placement of polluting facilities in minority or low-income communities.

  2. The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority or low-income communities.

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

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

Environmental racism is a form of environmental injustice that refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority or low-income communities. This can include the intentional placement of polluting facilities in these communities, the lack of access to environmental resources, and the resulting health and environmental problems that these communities face.

Multiple choice

How does race affect the student experience in education?

  1. Racial segregation leads to unequal access to educational resources.

  2. Racial stereotypes and biases can influence teachers' expectations and interactions with students.

  3. Students from racial minority groups may face discrimination and prejudice from peers.

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

Race affects the student experience in education through various mechanisms, including racial segregation, stereotypes and biases, and discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which students from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately represented in lower-achieving schools and classrooms?

  1. Educational Tracking

  2. Streaming

  3. Segregation

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

Educational Tracking refers to the process by which students are placed into different educational pathways or programs based on their perceived abilities or backgrounds, often leading to unequal opportunities and outcomes.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to racial and ethnic criminal justice inequality?

  1. Racial profiling

  2. Implicit bias

  3. Economic inequality

  4. Equal access to education and employment opportunities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Equal access to education and employment opportunities is not a factor that contributes to racial and ethnic criminal justice inequality. In fact, it is a factor that can help to reduce inequality.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the practice of targeting people of color for stops, searches, and arrests, even when they have not committed any crime?

  1. Racial profiling

  2. Implicit bias

  3. Mass incarceration

  4. Stop-and-frisk
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Racial profiling is the practice of targeting people of color for stops, searches, and arrests, even when they have not committed any crime.