Social Determinants: Understanding the Impact on Social Inequality

Question 1

Intersectionality theory suggests that individuals may face:

Accepted Answer

Overlapping forms of discrimination and privilege based on their social identities.

Answer

Discrimination solely based on their race.

Answer

Only advantages based on their socioeconomic status.

Question 2

Which of the following is **not** a primary factor contributing to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Nationality

Answer

Race

Answer

Gender

Answer

Social class

Question 3

Which type of prejudice is based on an unjustifiable negative attitude towards a person or group due to their perceived membership in a particular category?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Social stratification

Question 4

What is the term for the process by which individuals are ranked into different social strata based on their access to resources and power?

Accepted Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Discrimination

Question 5

How does experiencing social inequality impact individuals' mental and physical well-being? Provide specific examples to illustrate your answer.

Accepted Answer

Increased stress, anxiety, and depression

Answer

Improved overall well-being and happiness

Answer

Enhanced physical health due to increased access to healthcare

Answer

No significant health or psychological impacts

Question 6

The term 'racism' refers to discrimination based on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Race or ethnicity

Answer

Gender

Answer

Class

Answer

Age

Question 7

Which theory suggests that social stratification results from natural differences in abilities and talents?

Accepted Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 8

The belief that social inequality is both natural and beneficial for society is known as:

Accepted Answer

Social Darwinism

Answer

Meritocracy

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Marxism

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a primary form of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Occupation

Answer

Race

Answer

Gender

Answer

Social class

Question 10

Which group has historically faced the most severe and persistent discrimination in the United States?

Accepted Answer

African Americans

Answer

Women

Answer

Native Americans

Answer

Immigrants

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT considered a factor contributing to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Government policies

Answer

Social norms

Answer

Individual merit

Question 12

How does intersectionality impact social inequality?

Accepted Answer

It magnifies the effects of multiple forms of discrimination faced by individuals

Answer

It reduces the impact of individual forms of discrimination

Answer

It creates entirely new forms of discrimination

Answer

It has no impact on social inequality

Question 13

What distinguishes prejudice from discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice involves negative attitudes, while discrimination involves actions based on those attitudes

Answer

Discrimination involves negative attitudes, while prejudice involves actions based on those attitudes

Answer

There is no meaningful distinction between prejudice and discrimination

Answer

Prejudice is always intentional, while discrimination can be both intentional and unintentional

Question 14

Race is an example of a...

Accepted Answer

Social category based on perceived physical characteristics

Answer

Social class

Answer

Gender identity

Answer

Cultural identity

Question 15

The belief that one's own group is superior to others is called...

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism

Answer

Racism

Answer

Sexism

Answer

Xenophobia

Question 16

The concept of intersectionality refers to the...

Accepted Answer

Overlapping and interconnected nature of different forms of discrimination and oppression

Answer

Differences between various types of discrimination

Answer

Hierarchy of social categories based on power and privilege

Answer

Importance of focusing on individual experiences over group identities

Question 17

In the United States, which social factors have had a significant impact on social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Both race and gender

Answer

Race

Answer

Gender

Answer

Social class

Question 18

What is the term for the belief that one's own cultural or social group is superior to others?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Racism

Answer

Xenophobia

Question 19

What term describes the movement from one social class to another?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Socialization

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Stratification

Question 20

Which term refers to the movement of individuals or groups up or down the social ladder?

Accepted Answer

Social Mobility

Answer

Social Stratification

Answer

Social Class

Answer

Social Inequality

Question 21

Which of the following factors does NOT directly contribute to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Race

Answer

Gender

Answer

Social class

Question 22

The process by which a group of people is treated unfairly based on their perceived characteristics is known as:

Accepted Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Segregation

Question 23

The theory that social inequality is an inevitable aspect of society is known as:

Accepted Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Answer

Social exchange theory

Question 24

The belief that one's own group is superior to others is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism

Answer

Racism

Answer

Sexism

Answer

Classism

Question 25

The concept that social inequality is simply a result of individual choices and abilities is known as:

Accepted Answer

Meritocracy

Answer

Social Darwinism

Answer

Stratification theory

Answer

Cultural relativism

Question 26

The division of society into hierarchical layers based on economic resources and power is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Class

Answer

Caste

Answer

Status

Answer

Race

Question 27

How do cultural beliefs and values contribute to the persistence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Culture can socialize individuals to accept and internalize unequal social arrangements.

Answer

Culture has no impact on social inequality.

Answer

Culture always promotes social equality.

Question 28

In conflict theory, what is the main reason for social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Competition for limited resources

Answer

Variations in personal skills

Answer

Harmony and cooperation in society

Answer

Government laws and regulations

Question 29

How does social capital, the resources gained through social connections, contribute to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social capital helps people access resources through their social networks, which can lead to unequal opportunities.

Answer

Social capital only refers to a person's financial resources.

Answer

Social capital is a measure of a person's social status and prestige.

Answer

Social capital has no impact on social inequality.

Question 30

Which of the following is a direct negative psychological effect of experiencing social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Depression

Answer

Enhanced sense of well-being

Answer

Lowered stress levels

Answer

Increased feelings of control

Question 31

How does education influence social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Education both provides opportunities for social mobility and perpetuates existing inequalities

Answer

Education solely reinforces existing social disparities

Answer

Education solely offers chances for social mobility, regardless of background

Answer

Education has no impact on perpetuating or reducing social inequality

Question 32

The term 'social class' in sociology primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

A group of people sharing similar socio-economic status and resources

Answer

A group of people sharing the same political views

Answer

A group of people who belong to the same social network

Answer

A group of people with common cultural or ethnic background

Question 33

Intersectional theory emphasizes that social inequality:

Accepted Answer

Is shaped by multiple intersecting forms of discrimination and oppression

Answer

Can be reduced by focusing on a single factor, such as gender

Answer

Is exclusively determined by racial factors

Answer

Is solely caused by economic disparities

Question 34

How can technology contribute to social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Technology can increase social inequality by giving advantages to those who have access to it.

Answer

Technology can reduce social inequality by providing equal opportunities for all.

Answer

Technology has no effect on social inequality.

Question 35

A central mechanism of social inequality in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

Racial discrimination

Answer

Environmental factors

Answer

Economic globalization

Answer

Technological advancements

Question 36

Which social factor has been historically associated with significant prejudice and discrimination in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Race

Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Income level

Answer

Educational attainment

Question 37

Which theory posits that social inequality results from unequal access to valued societal resources?

Accepted Answer

Resource theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic exchange theory

Answer

Interactionist theory

Question 38

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Limited social mobility

Answer

Improved economic growth

Answer

Enhanced access to education

Answer

Increased social cohesion

Question 39

Which U.S. population group has historically faced the most systemic discrimination?

Accepted Answer

African Americans

Answer

Hispanic Americans

Answer

White Americans

Answer

Asian Americans

Question 40

Which policy intervention specifically aims to address economic disparities based on gender?

Accepted Answer

Equal pay for equal work laws

Answer

Universal basic income

Answer

Tax breaks for low-income families

Answer

Minimum wage increases

Question 41

Which sociological perspective focuses on the role of society's structures and institutions in creating and maintaining social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Structural functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 42

Which factor is a key contributor to social class inequality in modern societies?

Accepted Answer

Unequal access to educational opportunities

Answer

Genetic predispositions

Answer

Cultural values

Answer

Differences in individual talent

Question 43

What is the term used to describe practices within institutions that systematically disadvantage certain groups based on their social characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Institutional discrimination

Answer

Unintentional bias

Answer

Prejudice

Question 44

A research study finds that women are more likely to be refused mortgages compared to men with similar financial profiles. This finding exemplifies:

Accepted Answer

Gender inequality in access to financial resources

Answer

Merit-based social mobility

Answer

Equal opportunity in housing

Answer

The positive effects of traditional gender roles

Question 45

The 'glass ceiling' metaphor is used to describe:

Accepted Answer

Invisible barriers that hinder women's advancement in the workplace

Answer

The social pressure on women to prioritize family over career

Answer

The limited opportunities for upward mobility in society

Question 46

Which feature is NOT characteristic of a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility based on individual merit

Answer

Rigid social hierarchy based on birth

Answer

Limited opportunities for social advancement

Answer

Endogamy (marriage within one's caste)

Question 47

A sociologist researching the impact of poverty on educational attainment is most likely to adopt which theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Social exchange theory

Question 48

The concept of 'intersectionality' emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

The interconnectedness of various social categories, such as race, gender, and class, and their combined impact on inequality

Answer

The dominance of one social category over others

Answer

The individualistic nature of social problems

Question 49

Which of the following is an example of 'affirmative action'?

Accepted Answer

A university program that awards scholarships specifically to underrepresented minority students

Answer

A law that prohibits discrimination based on race

Answer

A public awareness campaign promoting tolerance

Question 50

The statement 'People from certain ethnic groups are inherently less intelligent' exemplifies:

Accepted Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Discrimination

Question 51

A study shows that individuals with higher levels of education tend to have higher incomes. This finding illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The correlation between social class and socioeconomic status.

Answer

The lack of impact of education on earning potential.

Answer

The equal distribution of wealth in society.

Question 52

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

Accepted Answer

Increased social cohesion and harmony.

Answer

Limited access to resources and opportunities.

Answer

Higher rates of crime and violence.

Answer

Health disparities among different groups.