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 for the practice of denying mortgages or insurance to individuals or neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity?

  1. Urbanization.

  2. Suburbanization.

  3. Gentrification.

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

Redlining refers to the practice of denying mortgages or insurance to individuals or neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity, leading to segregation and disinvestment in certain areas.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to refer to the positive discrimination policies implemented in India to address caste-based discrimination?

  1. Reservation

  2. Affirmative Action

  3. Preferential Treatment

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

Reservation is the term used to refer to the positive discrimination policies implemented in India to address caste-based discrimination, which involve reserving a certain percentage of seats in education, government jobs, and other areas for members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of non-discrimination in the workplace?

  1. All workers should be treated equally, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.

  2. Employers can discriminate against workers based on their job performance.

  3. Employers can discriminate against workers based on their political beliefs.

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

The principle of non-discrimination in the workplace means that all workers should be treated equally, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds face barriers to accessing education and acquiring knowledge?

  1. Educational Inequality

  2. Knowledge Gap

  3. Social Stratification

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

Educational Inequality refers to the disparities in access to and quality of education among different groups in society, often leading to unequal knowledge outcomes.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals with higher levels of education and knowledge tend to cluster in certain occupations and industries?

  1. Occupational Segregation

  2. Skill Bias

  3. Educational Attainment

  4. Labor Market Segmentation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Occupational Segregation refers to the concentration of individuals with specific educational backgrounds in particular occupations or industries.

Multiple choice

What is the primary factor that determines a person's race?

  1. Skin color

  2. Ancestry

  3. Culture

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

Race is a social construct that is based on physical characteristics, such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features. While ancestry, culture, and religion can also play a role in shaping a person's identity, they are not the primary factors that determine race.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of institutional racism?

  1. A police officer stops a Black person for driving while Black.

  2. A Black person is denied a job because of their race.

  3. A Black person is paid less than a White person for the same job.

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

Institutional racism is a system of racial discrimination that is embedded in the institutions of a society. It can take many forms, including police brutality, employment discrimination, and wage disparities.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a racial stereotype?

  1. Black people are good at sports.

  2. Asian people are good at math.

  3. White people are more intelligent than other races.

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

Racial stereotypes are widely held beliefs about the characteristics of a particular racial group. They are often negative and inaccurate, and they can lead to discrimination and prejudice.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a racial slur?

  1. The N-word

  2. The C-word

  3. The J-word

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

Racial slurs are words or phrases that are used to denigrate or insult a particular racial group. They are often used in a derogatory or hateful manner.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the belief that one's own race or ethnicity is superior to others?

  1. Racism

  2. Ethnocentrism

  3. Xenophobia

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

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own race or ethnicity is superior to others. It can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and conflict.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a racial microaggression?

  1. Asking a Black person if they are from Africa.

  2. Telling a Hispanic person that they speak good English.

  3. Assuming that a Muslim woman is oppressed.

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

Racial microaggressions are subtle, everyday insults or slights that are directed towards a person of color. They can be intentional or unintentional, but they can have a negative impact on the person's self-esteem and well-being.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the belief that all races are equal and should be treated with respect?

  1. Racism

  2. Ethnocentrism

  3. Xenophobia

  4. Anti-racism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Anti-racism is the belief that all races are equal and should be treated with respect. It is a commitment to actively opposing racism and discrimination.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a racial profiling?

  1. A police officer stops a Black person for driving while Black.

  2. A security guard follows a Black person around a store.

  3. A landlord refuses to rent an apartment to a Black person.

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

Racial profiling is the practice of targeting a person for suspicion or investigation based on their race or ethnicity. It is a form of discrimination that can lead to harassment, arrest, and even violence.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the belief that one's own race or ethnicity is inferior to others?

  1. Racism

  2. Ethnocentrism

  3. Xenophobia

  4. Self-hatred
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Self-hatred is the belief that one's own race or ethnicity is inferior to others. It can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a racial segregation?

  1. A school district that is divided along racial lines.

  2. A neighborhood that is predominantly Black or White.

  3. A church that is only open to members of a particular race.

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

Racial segregation is the practice of separating people of different races or ethnicities from each other. It can be done through laws, policies, or social customs.