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 belief that one's own racial or ethnic group is inferior to others?

  1. Ethnocentrism

  2. Xenophobia

  3. Racism

  4. Bigotry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Racism refers to the belief that one's own racial or ethnic group is inferior to others.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common consequence of racial discrimination in healthcare?

  1. Unequal Access to Care

  2. Lower Quality of Care

  3. Health Disparities

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

Racial discrimination in healthcare can lead to unequal access to care, lower quality of care, and health disparities.

Multiple choice

What is environmental racism?

  1. The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color.

  2. The intentional discrimination against people of color in environmental decision-making.

  3. The lack of access to environmental benefits for people of color.

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

Environmental racism is a complex issue with multiple dimensions. It includes the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color, the intentional discrimination against people of color in environmental decision-making, and the lack of access to environmental benefits for people of color.

Multiple choice

What are some examples of environmental racism?

  1. The siting of toxic waste dumps in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods.

  2. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation in Native American communities.

  3. The construction of highways and other infrastructure projects that divide and displace communities of color.

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

Environmental racism can take many forms, including the siting of toxic waste dumps in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, the lack of access to clean water and sanitation in Native American communities, and the construction of highways and other infrastructure projects that divide and displace communities of color.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has contributed to the development of racial and ethnic identities?

  1. Geographical isolation

  2. Cultural differences

  3. Economic disparities

  4. Shared history
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Economic disparities are not a direct factor in the development of racial and ethnic identities. However, they can contribute to social and political divisions that can lead to the formation of racial and ethnic groups.

Multiple choice

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

  1. All Asians are good at math

  2. All Black people are good at sports

  3. All Latinos are lazy

  4. All White people are privileged
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A racial stereotype is a widely held belief about the characteristics of a particular racial group. The statement "All Asians are good at math" is an example of a racial stereotype because it attributes a specific characteristic (being good at math) to all members of a racial group (Asians).

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a policy that promotes racial equality?

  1. Affirmative action

  2. Racial profiling

  3. Segregation

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

Affirmative action is a policy that aims to promote racial equality by giving preferential treatment to members of historically disadvantaged groups in areas such as education and employment.

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

Racism is the belief that one's own race or ethnicity is superior to others. It is a form of discrimination that can lead to prejudice, hatred, and violence.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a hate crime?

  1. Assaulting someone because of their race or ethnicity

  2. Using racial slurs

  3. Refusing to serve someone in a restaurant because of their race or ethnicity

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

A hate crime is a crime that is motivated by prejudice or hatred towards a particular group of people. Assaulting someone, using racial slurs, and refusing to serve someone in a restaurant because of their race or ethnicity are all examples of hate crimes.

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

The N-word, the C-word, and the J-word are all racial slurs. They are offensive and derogatory terms that are used to denigrate people of particular racial or ethnic groups.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the belief that all races and ethnicities are equal?

  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 and ethnicities are equal. It is the opposite of racism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a policy that promotes racial segregation?

  1. Affirmative action

  2. Racial profiling

  3. Segregation

  4. White supremacy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Segregation is a policy that separates people of different races or ethnicities from each other. It can be enforced through laws, social customs, or economic practices.

Multiple choice

What is the dominant discourse on race in Indian media?

  1. Race is a social construct.

  2. Race is a biological reality.

  3. Race is a cultural phenomenon.

  4. Race is a combination of social, biological, and cultural factors.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The dominant discourse on race in Indian media recognizes that race is a complex phenomenon that is shaped by a combination of social, biological, and cultural factors.

Multiple choice

How does the Indian media portray people of different races?

  1. People of different races are portrayed as equal.

  2. People of different races are portrayed as unequal.

  3. People of different races are portrayed as stereotypes.

  4. People of different races are portrayed in a neutral manner.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian media often portrays people of different races as unequal, with people of lighter skin tones being portrayed as superior to people of darker skin tones.

Multiple choice

What are some of the consequences of the dominant discourse on race in Indian media?

  1. Racism and discrimination.

  2. Social inequality.

  3. Cultural conflict.

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

The dominant discourse on race in Indian media can lead to racism and discrimination, social inequality, and cultural conflict.