Social Inequality: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Question 1

Which type of social inequality is based on an individual's role in the economic system?

Accepted Answer

Economic

Answer

Political

Answer

Social

Answer

Cultural

Question 2

What is a common result of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Higher crime rates

Answer

Better health

Answer

More education

Answer

Increased social mobility

Question 3

Which of the following is not a type of equality commonly recognized in sociology?

Accepted Answer

Inherent equality

Answer

Political equality

Answer

Social equality

Answer

Economic equality

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Equal opportunities for all

Answer

Unequal distribution of resources

Answer

Differences in social status

Answer

Discrimination on any basis

Question 5

What is the key difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty is based on a fixed income threshold, while relative poverty is based on comparison to others in society.

Answer

Relative poverty is based on a fixed income threshold, while absolute poverty is based on comparison to others in society.

Answer

There is no difference between absolute and relative poverty.

Answer

Absolute poverty is based on deprivation of basic human needs, while relative poverty is based on social and cultural factors.

Question 6

Which of these is a key principle of social justice?

Accepted Answer

Equity

Answer

Inequality

Answer

Favoritism

Question 7

In the functionalist perspective, what is the primary function of social inequality within a society?

Accepted Answer

Establishing a stable and efficient social system.

Answer

Recognizing individuals for their abilities and efforts.

Answer

Preserving power disparities and justifying social injustice.

Answer

Maintaining social stratification and limiting social mobility.

Question 8

The principle of 'equality of opportunity' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Everyone should have an equal starting point in life.

Answer

Everyone should earn the same income.

Answer

Everyone should have the same job.

Answer

Everyone should be treated identically.

Question 9

Which of the following is a central sociological debate pertaining to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Function vs. conflict

Answer

Nature vs. nurture

Answer

Micro vs. macro

Answer

Positivist vs. interpretivist

Question 10

Which principle of social justice aims to ensure fairness in access to resources and opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Equality of opportunity

Answer

Equality of outcome

Answer

Equity

Answer

Social justice

Question 11

Which of the following policies is an example of a government initiative to promote social equality?

Accepted Answer

Universal healthcare

Answer

Tax cuts for the wealthy

Answer

Deregulation of the labor market

Answer

Privatization of public services

Question 12

What is the sociological concept that refers to the interconnected nature of different forms of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Intersectionality

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Stereotyping

Question 13

How does intersectionality explain the complex nature of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Intersectionality recognizes that different types of inequality, like race and gender, overlap and influence people's experiences.

Answer

Intersectionality only considers the experiences of marginalized groups.

Answer

Intersectionality suggests that personal traits are the main cause of social inequality.

Answer

Intersectionality is not useful in understanding social inequality.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a social factor that contributes to poverty?

Accepted Answer

Personal responsibility and effort

Answer

Limited access to quality education

Answer

Institutionalized discrimination

Answer

Insufficient healthcare provisions

Question 15

Examine the effectiveness of redistributive policies, like progressive taxation and minimum wage, in addressing social inequality. Discuss their potential benefits and drawbacks.

Accepted Answer

Redistributive policies can reduce inequality, but may also have drawbacks like reduced economic growth and disincentives for effort.

Answer

Redistributive policies effectively reduce inequality by transferring wealth from the wealthy to the poor.

Answer

Redistributive policies are ineffective as they don't address the root causes of inequality.

Answer

Redistributive policies are effective in reducing inequality, but only in developing nations.

Question 16

What is a key feature of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Differences in access to resources, opportunities, and status based on social categories

Answer

Uniform distribution of wealth and power

Answer

Equal representation of all social groups

Answer

Absence of social divisions or hierarchies

Question 17

What is a potential consequence of social inequality on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Reduced access to quality healthcare and education

Answer

Improved mental and physical health

Answer

Enhanced economic opportunities

Answer

Increased social status and influence

Question 18

What is a fundamental principle of social justice?

Accepted Answer

Fair and equitable treatment of all individuals, regardless of their social status

Answer

Punishment of those who violate social norms

Answer

Preservation of traditional social hierarchies

Answer

Prioritization of economic growth over social equality

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a policy aimed at reducing income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Minimum wage laws and progressive taxation

Answer

Deregulation of financial markets

Answer

Tax cuts for corporations

Answer

Privatization of public services

Question 20

What is a potential barrier to achieving social equality in practice?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice, discrimination, and unequal access to opportunities

Answer

Globalization and technological advancements

Answer

Insufficient economic growth

Answer

Lack of government regulation

Question 21

What is a potential benefit of social stratification from a functionalist perspective?

Accepted Answer

Division of labor and specialization, leading to societal efficiency

Answer

Increased social mobility and opportunity for all

Answer

Reduced social conflict and inequality

Question 22

Which of the following is a quantitative measure used to assess income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

Gross Domestic Product

Answer

Human Development Index

Answer

Consumer Price Index

Question 23

What is a primary ethical concern related to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

The unequal distribution of opportunities and resources, leading to unfairness and injustice

Answer

The impact on economic growth and development

Answer

The threat to social order and stability

Question 24

Which principle of social justice advocates for fair and equal access to resources and opportunities for all?

Accepted Answer

Equal distribution

Answer

Merit-based allocation

Answer

Preservation of social hierarchies

Question 25

The concept of intersectionality highlights that individuals may face multiple forms of discrimination and oppression based on their overlapping identities. Which of the following is an example of an intersectional experience?

Accepted Answer

A woman of color who experiences discrimination based on both her race and gender

Answer

A person with a disability who encounters barriers in the workplace

Answer

A wealthy man who faces prejudice due to his political beliefs

Answer

A young person who is treated differently because of their age

Question 26

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of persistent social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Increased social unrest and political instability

Answer

Improved educational outcomes for all

Answer

Reduced healthcare disparities

Answer

Enhanced social mobility

Question 27

According to functionalist theory, social inequality is:

Accepted Answer

A necessary aspect of society that promotes social order and efficiency

Answer

Primarily caused by individual choices and behaviors

Answer

A result of systemic oppression and discrimination

Answer

Inevitable and impossible to overcome

Question 28

Which of the following policy measures aims to address wealth inequality by redistributing income from the wealthy to the poor?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation

Answer

Minimum wage laws

Answer

Affirmative action programs

Answer

School vouchers

Question 29

Which of the following is a core principle of social justice?

Accepted Answer

Equality and human dignity

Answer

Hierarchy and dominance

Answer

Meritocracy and self-reliance

Answer

Individualism and competition

Question 30

The social mobility index is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

The extent to which individuals can move up or down the social ladder over time

Answer

The income gap between the richest and poorest

Answer

The level of social inequality within a society

Question 31

Which of the following is a factor that can contribute to the persistence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice and discrimination

Answer

Climate change and natural disasters

Answer

Economic growth and development

Answer

Globalization and technological advancements

Question 32

The achievement gap refers to:

Accepted Answer

Disparities in academic performance between different socioeconomic groups

Answer

The gap between the number of people in poverty and those in affluence

Answer

The difference in income between the top and bottom earners

Question 33

Which of the following is not considered a type of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Biological inequality

Answer

Health inequality

Answer

Educational inequality

Answer

Income inequality

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Increased crime rates

Answer

Enhanced educational attainment

Answer

Improved social cohesion

Answer

Greater economic prosperity

Question 35

What is the foundational principle of social justice?

Accepted Answer

Fairness and equality

Answer

Power and privilege

Answer

Economic efficiency

Answer

Tradition and conformity

Question 36

Which strategy is effective in promoting social equality?

Accepted Answer

Investing in accessible education

Answer

Enforcing strict immigration controls

Answer

Reducing taxes for high-income earners

Answer

Suppressing dissent and opposition

Question 37

What is the defining characteristic of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Society's division into hierarchical layers

Answer

Society's rapid and continuous transformation

Answer

Society's lack of discernible structure or organization

Answer

Society's dominance by a singular ruling class

Question 38

Which of the following is a core feature of a meritocracy?

Accepted Answer

Positions are allocated based on merit and effort

Answer

Positions are determined by political affiliation

Answer

Positions are inherited or ascribed based on birth

Answer

Positions are awarded based on wealth or social status

Question 39

How is social mobility linked to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Limited social mobility can perpetuate social inequality

Answer

High social mobility always leads to greater social equality

Answer

Social mobility is only possible in societies with high levels of social equality

Answer

Social mobility has no impact on social inequality

Question 40

Which of the following is a potential benefit of affirmative action policies?

Accepted Answer

Increased diversity and representation in various societal spheres

Answer

Creation of a more homogeneous and uniform society

Answer

Elimination of all forms of discrimination and prejudice

Answer

Reduced reliance on social welfare programs

Question 41

What is a primary challenge in achieving social equality?

Accepted Answer

Overcoming deeply rooted biases and prejudices

Answer

Cultural diversity and differences

Answer

Government regulations and restrictions

Answer

Lack of financial resources

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a potential negative consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Increased social cohesion

Answer

Reduced access to healthcare

Answer

Lowered educational attainment

Answer

Increased crime rates

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a potential measure to reduce social inequality in society?

Accepted Answer

Lowering taxes for the wealthy

Answer

Investing in education

Answer

Providing affordable healthcare

Answer

Enacting anti-discrimination laws

Question 44

Which of the following sociological concepts is related to the existence of social inequality within a society?

Accepted Answer

Stratification

Answer

Anomie

Answer

Pluralism

Answer

Assimilation

Question 45

Which of these is the most important sign of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Big differences in income

Answer

How many people vote

Answer

How long people live

Question 46

Social inequality causes many problems. Which of these is NOT a problem caused by social inequality?

Accepted Answer

People moving up in society

Answer

Unrest and disagreements in society

Answer

Lots of people being poor

Answer

Treating people unfairly because of who they are

Question 47

Which theory says that having different levels in society is unavoidable and helps keep things stable?

Accepted Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Question 48

What is the main aim of 'affirmative action' policies?

Accepted Answer

To ensure everyone has a fair chance

Answer

To punish those who discriminate

Answer

To make income differences smaller

Answer

To get rid of poverty

Question 49

What does 'intersectionality' mean when studying social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Different types of inequality overlap and affect each other

Answer

All kinds of inequality are equally serious

Answer

Inequality always happens because of individual choices

Question 50

Which of these could help reduce inequality in society?

Accepted Answer

A tax system where richer people pay a larger share

Answer

Government spending less money

Answer

Fewer rules for businesses and workers

Answer

Spending more on the military

Question 51

What's the main difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty is when you don't have basic things you need to live. Relative poverty is judged by comparing you to the average standard of living in your society.

Answer

Absolute poverty is more common in poorer countries, while relative poverty is more common in richer countries.