Discrimination: Nature, Causes, and Impact | Social Theory and Thought

Question 1

What is a key feature of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

It involves both prejudice and power.

Answer

It is always deliberate.

Answer

It targets individuals, not groups.

Answer

It can lead to positive outcomes.

Question 2

Define discrimination.

Accepted Answer

Treating individuals or groups differently based on arbitrary characteristics

Answer

Excluding people from certain opportunities due to personal biases

Answer

Holding prejudiced beliefs towards a particular group

Question 3

Which theory proposes that discrimination arises from competition for limited resources?

Accepted Answer

Realistic Conflict Theory

Answer

Attribution Theory

Answer

Social Identity Theory

Answer

Expressive Theory

Question 4

What is a common consequence of individual discrimination in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Reduced job satisfaction

Answer

Higher levels of educational attainment

Answer

Improved career prospects

Answer

Increased social status

Question 5

Which legal act provides protection against discrimination in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Equality Act 2010

Answer

Discrimination Act 1975

Answer

Prevention of Discrimination Act 1976

Answer

Human Rights Act 1998

Question 6

What is a potential limitation of surveys as a method for studying discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Social desirability bias

Answer

Time constraints

Answer

Sample size

Answer

Cost

Question 7

Identify a key characteristic of institutional discrimination:

Accepted Answer

Embedded in societal structures

Answer

Intentional and overt

Answer

Limited to specific individuals

Answer

Based on direct interactions

Question 8

What is the primary role of education in addressing discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Promoting critical thinking and empathy

Answer

Imposing stricter punishments for discriminatory acts

Answer

Encouraging segregation of different groups to avoid conflict

Answer

Setting quotas for specific groups in employment and education

Question 9

What is a significant finding from studies examining the impact of discrimination on health?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of chronic diseases

Answer

Reduced access to healthcare services

Answer

Higher life expectancy

Answer

Improved mental well-being

Question 10

What is the primary goal of affirmative action policies?

Accepted Answer

To address historical and systemic discrimination

Answer

To create a more diverse workforce without considering historical factors

Answer

To punish those responsible for discriminatory practices

Answer

To ensure equal representation of all groups

Question 11

How does social stratification contribute to the ongoing existence of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

It creates a hierarchy of power and privilege that allows discrimination to happen.

Answer

It brings people together and reduces prejudice.

Answer

It makes sure everyone has the same chances.

Answer

It has no effect on discrimination.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

It is always intentional

Answer

It can involve the unfair treatment of individuals or groups

Answer

It can create unequal access to opportunities

Answer

It can be based on prejudice

Question 13

Which sociological theory suggests that discrimination is rooted in social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Answer

Rational choice theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Question 14

Which of the following is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010?

Accepted Answer

Sexual orientation

Answer

Income

Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Height

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of intersectionality in discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Experiencing both racism and sexism as a black woman

Answer

Experiencing only homophobia as a gay man

Answer

Experiencing only ableism as a disabled person

Answer

Experiencing discrimination as a white man

Question 16

Which of the following is a recommended approach to reducing discrimination in society?

Accepted Answer

Implementing policies that promote diversity and inclusion

Answer

Creating separate spaces for different groups

Answer

Punishing people who discriminate without addressing root causes

Answer

Ignoring the issue and hoping it will go away

Question 17

Which of the following is a major characteristic of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Treating individuals differently based on group membership

Answer

Equal treatment of all individuals

Answer

Providing special privileges to certain groups

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a potential impact of discrimination on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Increased self-esteem

Answer

Strain on relationships

Answer

Lowered educational attainment

Answer

Mental health problems

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential limitation of using MCQs to assess understanding of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

They may not fully capture the complexities of discrimination

Answer

They are unreliable and cannot be used for assessment purposes

Answer

They cannot be used to assess higher-order thinking skills

Answer

They are subjective and open to interpretation

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of intersectionality in relation to discrimination?

Accepted Answer

A woman facing discrimination based on both her race and gender

Answer

A man facing discrimination based on his religion

Answer

A person with a disability encountering barriers in employment

Question 21

Which of the following is a global perspective on discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination is a widespread issue that manifests in different forms across various societies

Answer

Discrimination is primarily a concern for Western industrialized nations

Answer

Discrimination is solely a problem faced by marginalized groups in developing countries

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

It is always intentional and overt.

Answer

It can be direct or indirect.

Answer

It can be based on multiple grounds.

Answer

It can have a negative impact on an individual's life.

Question 23

Which of the following is the primary cause of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice and stereotypes.

Answer

Lack of education alone.

Answer

Economic factors alone.

Answer

Ignorance alone.

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of institutional discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Residential segregation by race.

Answer

Overt acts of racism.

Answer

A single incident of verbal abuse.

Question 25

What are the potential consequences of discrimination on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Lower self-esteem, depression, and social isolation.

Answer

Enhanced job opportunities.

Answer

Strengthened social bonds.

Answer

Improved academic performance.

Question 26

Which approach is most effective in combating discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Education, awareness-raising, and challenging stereotypes.

Answer

Segregation and isolation of marginalized groups.

Answer

Ignoring the issue and hoping it will resolve itself.

Answer

Sole reliance on punishment and fines.

Question 27

Which of the following is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Age.

Answer

Political affiliation.

Answer

Income level.

Answer

Physical attractiveness.

Question 28

What is the distinction between direct and indirect discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Direct discrimination is intentional, while indirect discrimination is unintentional but has a disproportionate impact on a protected group.

Answer

Direct discrimination is based on visible characteristics, while indirect discrimination is based on invisible characteristics.

Answer

Direct discrimination is overt, while indirect discrimination is covert.

Question 29

How does intersectionality manifest in discrimination?

Accepted Answer

A person may face multiple layers of discrimination based on their intersecting identities, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Answer

Intersectionality only applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Answer

Intersectionality is irrelevant to understanding discrimination.

Question 30

How does social class intersect with discrimination?

Accepted Answer

It can compound other forms of discrimination, creating unique barriers and challenges for individuals from marginalized socioeconomic backgrounds.

Answer

Social class has no bearing on discrimination.

Answer

Social class is the sole determinant of who experiences discrimination.

Question 31

What are effective strategies for creating a more inclusive and equitable society that challenges discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Promoting diversity and inclusion in all spheres of life, challenging biases, and fostering empathy and understanding.

Answer

Ignoring discrimination and hoping it will diminish on its own.

Answer

Punishing those who discriminate with extreme measures.

Question 32

Which of the following is a primary factor contributing to the persistence of discrimination in society?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice and stereotypes against specific groups

Answer

Lack of education

Answer

Government policies

Answer

Economic inequality

Question 33

What is a potential consequence of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Reduced life opportunities and lower self-esteem

Answer

Increased social cohesion

Answer

Improved mental health

Answer

Higher rates of economic growth

Question 34

What is the primary objective of anti-discrimination laws?

Accepted Answer

To protect marginalized groups from unequal treatment

Answer

To promote economic equality

Answer

To eliminate prejudice

Question 35

Discrimination based on a person's physical or mental abilities is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ableism

Answer

Ageism

Answer

Sexism

Answer

Racism

Question 36

Which term describes the systematic disadvantaging of a social group through policies and practices?

Accepted Answer

Institutional discrimination

Answer

Overt discrimination

Answer

Unconscious discrimination

Answer

Covert discrimination

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for reducing discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring the issue and hoping it will resolve itself

Answer

Enforcing anti-discrimination laws

Answer

Education and awareness campaigns

Question 38

What is the core concept of 'intersectionality' in the study of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

To analyze how different forms of discrimination interact and overlap in individuals' experiences

Answer

To focus on the experiences of a single marginalized group

Answer

To promote the idea that all discrimination is equally harmful

Question 39

Which of the following is a positive outcome associated with diversity in society?

Accepted Answer

Increased creativity and innovation

Answer

Elimination of social inequality

Answer

Increased social conflict

Answer

Reduced economic growth

Question 40

**Define discrimination.**

Accepted Answer

Unequal treatment based on membership in a social category.

Answer

Negative attitudes towards a group of people.

Answer

Unfair actions based on personal preferences.

Question 41

**Which is NOT a type of discrimination?**

Accepted Answer

Cultural appropriation

Answer

Racism

Answer

Sexism

Answer

Ageism

Question 42

**A person harbors negative views against a group but doesn't act on them. This is known as:**

Accepted Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Bigotry

Question 43

**Identify an example of direct discrimination:**

Accepted Answer

Denying employment based on race.

Answer

Having fewer students from low-income families in a school.

Answer

Experiencing poverty due to historical inequality.

Question 44

**What is 'intersectionality'?**

Accepted Answer

Overlapping identities lead to experiencing various forms of discrimination.

Answer

Discrimination is faced uniformly across social groups.

Answer

Discrimination solely stems from individual bias.

Question 45

**Discrimination can lead to:**

Accepted Answer

Social exclusion and marginalization.

Answer

Increased social unity.

Answer

Economic prosperity and equality.

Question 46

**How does social stratification contribute to discrimination?**

Accepted Answer

It creates hierarchies that privilege certain groups over others.

Answer

It fosters diversity and inclusivity among social groups.

Answer

It promotes equal opportunities for upward mobility.

Question 47

**The statement 'All humans are created equal' is an example of:**

Accepted Answer

An ideal that contrasts the reality of discrimination.

Answer

A belief unrelated to the study of discrimination.

Answer

A statement that accurately reflects social equality.

Question 48

**Which strategy can combat discrimination?**

Accepted Answer

Promoting diversity and inclusion through education, awareness campaigns, and policy reforms.

Answer

Blaming individuals for their discriminatory behavior.

Answer

Ignoring the issue and hoping it will disappear.