Social Inequality: Causes, Consequences, and Theories

Question 1

What is the process by which individuals move up or down the social hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Socialization

Answer

Social control

Question 2

What is the role of education in addressing social inequality?

Accepted Answer

It can both perpetuate and reduce inequality.

Answer

It can promote social mobility.

Answer

It can reinforce existing inequalities.

Answer

It has no impact on social inequality.

Question 3

Which of these is NOT a major factor contributing to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Poverty

Answer

Education

Question 4

What does the concept of intersectionality, as it relates to social inequality, emphasize?

Accepted Answer

The recognition that different forms of inequality, such as race, gender, and class, intersect and reinforce each other

Answer

The belief that inequality can only be addressed through a focus on a single social category, such as race

Answer

The idea that all forms of inequality are equally important and should be prioritized equally

Answer

The assumption that individuals can only be discriminated against based on one social category at a time

Question 5

The measure used to quantify income inequality is called the:

Accepted Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

Poverty rate

Answer

Unemployment rate

Answer

Inflation rate

Question 6

Identify the consequence of social inequality that is NOT listed below:

Accepted Answer

Improved healthcare access

Answer

Increased crime and violence

Answer

Lower social mobility

Answer

Educational disparities

Question 7

Which factor is NOT a contributor to racial and ethnic inequality?

Accepted Answer

Shared cultural values

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Segregation

Answer

Institutional racism

Question 8

According to conflict theory, social inequality is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Competition for scarce resources

Answer

Natural human instincts

Answer

Government policies

Answer

Cultural differences

Question 9

Which example best illustrates the application of symbolic interactionist theory to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

The way social interactions perpetuate and reinforce social inequality

Answer

The idea that social inequality is a result of genetic differences

Answer

The belief that the government is solely responsible for reducing social inequality

Answer

The argument that economic forces inevitably lead to social inequality

Question 10

According to Karl Marx's conflict theory, the primary basis for social inequality is:

Accepted Answer

Economic class

Answer

Race

Answer

Gender

Question 11

The concept of 'intersectionality' emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

The interconnected nature of social categories such as race, gender, and class

Answer

That discrimination only occurs on the basis of a single category

Answer

That all forms of social inequality are equally important

Question 12

The concept of 'social justice', in the context of social inequality, refers to:

Accepted Answer

The fair and equitable distribution of society's resources and opportunities

Answer

The complete elimination of all forms of social inequality

Answer

The protection of the rights of only the most marginalized groups

Question 13

According to the functionalist theory of social stratification, which social group is deemed most essential for the smooth functioning of society?

Accepted Answer

Teachers, healthcare workers, and other essential service providers

Answer

Business owners and entrepreneurs

Answer

Politicians and government officials

Answer

Athletes and entertainers

Question 14

What is the concept of intersectionality related to?

Accepted Answer

The overlapping and interconnected nature of social identities, recognizing that people can experience multiple forms of discrimination and oppression simultaneously.

Answer

The idea that all forms of inequality are equally important and should be addressed.

Answer

The belief that social inequality is solely based on race and that other forms of inequality are less significant.

Answer

The assumption that social inequality is inevitable and cannot be changed.

Question 15

Which group is most likely to face systemic gender inequality?

Accepted Answer

Black women

Answer

White men

Answer

Hispanic men

Answer

Asian women

Question 16

What is the main idea behind conflict theory in explaining social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality is a result of competition for scarce resources.

Answer

Social inequality is a product of social institutions and cultural norms.

Answer

Social inequality is caused by individual choices and behaviors.

Answer

Social inequality is inevitable and cannot be changed.

Question 17

What is the primary goal of affirmative action?

Accepted Answer

To provide equal opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups

Answer

To eliminate all forms of discrimination

Answer

To give preferential treatment to certain groups

Answer

To force employers to hire a quota of minorities

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Equal social opportunities

Answer

Ascribed status

Answer

Wealth differences

Answer

Power disparities

Question 19

According to functionalist theory, social inequality is:

Accepted Answer

Essential for societal stability and role differentiation

Answer

A product of social conflicts and power struggles

Answer

Unjust and should be eliminated

Answer

A result of individual merit and effort

Question 20

What is the primary reason behind racial and ethnic inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social and historical factors, such as racism and discrimination

Answer

Biological differences between races

Answer

Economic disparities and lack of resources

Answer

Personal biases and prejudices

Question 21

What is the term for the knowledge and skills that are valued in society?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Economic capital

Answer

Social capital

Answer

Political capital

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for reducing social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Increased spending on private healthcare

Answer

Affirmative action policies

Answer

Progressive taxation

Answer

Increased government spending on social welfare programs

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a primary cause of social inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Inheritance

Answer

Education

Question 24

What is the term for the unwritten rules and expectations that shape our behavior in different social situations?

Accepted Answer

Social norms

Answer

Stereotypes

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Discrimination

Question 25

What is the term for the belief that one's own culture is superior to all others?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism

Answer

Racism

Answer

Xenophobia

Answer

Discrimination

Question 26

According to functionalist theory, which group is believed to contribute the most to the overall functioning of society?

Accepted Answer

Middle class

Answer

Upper class

Answer

Working class

Answer

Lower class

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Higher levels of social cohesion

Answer

Increased crime rates

Answer

Reduced social mobility

Answer

Lower life expectancy

Question 28

What is the key difference between racial inequality and ethnic inequality?

Accepted Answer

Racial inequality is based on physical characteristics, while ethnic inequality is based on cultural characteristics.

Answer

Ethnic inequality is based on physical characteristics, while racial inequality is based on cultural characteristics.

Answer

Racial inequality is based on legal discrimination, while ethnic inequality is based on social prejudice.

Answer

Ethnic inequality is based on legal discrimination, while racial inequality is based on social prejudice.

Question 29

What is the core concept of the intersectionality approach to studying inequality?

Accepted Answer

It examines how various forms of inequality, such as race, gender, and class, can intersect and shape individual experiences.

Answer

It focuses exclusively on the most prevalent type of inequality in a society.

Answer

It dismisses the significance of multiple forms of inequality.

Answer

It assumes that all forms of inequality carry equal weight.

Question 30

Which of the following is a fundamental concept in the study of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social conflict

Answer

Social order

Question 31

According to the functionalist perspective, social inequality serves to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain societal stability

Answer

Promote societal change

Answer

Reduce societal conflict

Answer

Eliminate societal poverty

Question 32

What does the concept of 'intersectionality' encompass?

Accepted Answer

The interconnected nature of various forms of social inequality

Answer

The distinct experiences of different social groups

Answer

The hierarchical organization of social groups based on a single characteristic

Answer

The ways in which social inequality persists across generations

Question 33

Which policy approach aims to reduce racial disparities in education?

Accepted Answer

Affirmative action

Answer

School vouchers

Answer

Charter schools

Answer

Voluntary desegregation

Question 34

What is the 'social construction of gender'?

Accepted Answer

The process of creating and assigning societal meanings and expectations to men and women

Answer

The belief that gender roles are biologically determined

Answer

The idea that gender is a fixed and immutable category

Answer

The ways in which gender inequality is perpetuated through cultural norms

Question 35

What is a characteristic of social inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Persistence over generations

Answer

Increasing mobility between socioeconomic classes

Answer

Equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of background

Answer

Dramatic reduction in poverty levels

Question 36

What does the concept of 'glass ceiling' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Invisible barriers hindering women's career advancement

Answer

The scarcity of opportunities for women in male-dominated fields

Answer

The wage gap between men and women

Answer

The discrimination faced by women in educational settings

Question 37

According to the functionalist perspective on social stratification, social inequality is:

Accepted Answer

Necessary for a stable society

Answer

Harmful to society

Answer

The result of personal choices

Answer

A temporary phenomenon

Question 38

Which type of inequality is NOT covered in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Ageism

Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Racial and ethnic inequality

Answer

Gender inequality

Question 39

In Karl Marx's theory of social stratification, which class controls the means of production?

Accepted Answer

The Bourgeoisie

Answer

The Proletariat

Answer

The Aristocracy

Answer

The Peasantry

Question 40

What is the term for the process by which societies categorize people into different social strata?

Accepted Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social reproduction

Answer

Social differentiation

Question 41

Which characteristic is typical of a closed stratification system?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance of social status

Answer

High levels of social mobility

Answer

Equal opportunities for all individuals

Answer

Emphasis on individual merit

Question 42

What is the main idea behind intersectionality theory?

Accepted Answer

Different forms of inequality, such as race, gender, and class, intersect and shape individual experiences.

Answer

All forms of inequality are equally significant.

Answer

Gender is the sole determinant of social status.

Answer

Social inequality is primarily caused by individual choices.

Question 43

Which policy measure is most likely to reduce income inequality?

Accepted Answer

A combination of all three

Answer

Progressive taxation

Answer

Minimum wage policies

Answer

Increased access to education

Question 44

Which measure is NOT used to assess social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Standardized testing scores

Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

Lorenz curve

Answer

Social Progress Index

Question 45

Which of the following is a significant consequence of racial and ethnic inequality?

Accepted Answer

D. All of the above

Answer

A. Disparities in educational achievement

Answer

B. Higher rates of poverty

Answer

C. Discrimination in the workplace

Question 46

Which of the following is a potential strategy for reducing gender inequality?

Accepted Answer

D. All of the above

Answer

A. Increasing access to education for girls and women

Answer

B. Enacting laws to prevent discrimination

Answer

C. Shifting cultural norms and attitudes

Question 47

Income inequality can be attributed to various factors. Which of the following is a major contributing factor?

Accepted Answer

Differences in education and job skills

Answer

Strong labor unions

Answer

High government taxation

Answer

Equal access to healthcare

Question 48

Racial and ethnic inequality manifests in various ways. Which of the following is a common consequence?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination in housing and employment

Answer

Increased access to education and healthcare

Answer

Higher levels of civic engagement

Answer

Improved police-community relations

Question 49

Theories of social stratification attempt to explain inequality. Which theory suggests that inequality is an inherent and necessary aspect of society?

Accepted Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Social exchange theory

Question 50

Intersectionality is a concept used to analyze social inequality. Which of the following is a key aspect of intersectionality?

Accepted Answer

It considers the interconnected and overlapping nature of different forms of oppression

Answer

It focuses exclusively on individual experiences of discrimination

Answer

It denies the existence of social inequality

Question 51

In addressing gender inequality in the workplace, which of the following is a potential solution?

Accepted Answer

Equal pay for equal work

Answer

Reducing corporate taxes

Answer

Imposing a higher minimum wage

Answer

Eliminating affirmative action policies

Question 52

Social inequality and social mobility are related. Which of the following statements accurately describes their relationship?

Accepted Answer

High levels of social inequality can hinder social mobility

Answer

Social inequality has no impact on social mobility

Answer

Social mobility is solely determined by individual effort and talent

Question 53

A meritocracy is characterized by certain features. Which of the following is a characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Social status is based on individual achievement and talent

Answer

Social status is determined by birth or family connections

Answer

There is no social mobility or equality of opportunity

Question 54

The term 'social reproduction' refers to a specific process. Which of the following accurately defines social reproduction?

Accepted Answer

The ways in which social inequality is passed down from one generation to the next

Answer

The creation of new forms of social inequality

Answer

The reduction of social inequality over time

Question 55

Studying social inequality can have valuable benefits. Which of the following is a potential benefit?

Accepted Answer

It can help us develop policies to promote social justice and equality

Answer

It can perpetuate stereotypes and biases

Answer

It has no practical applications