Question 1

Sociologists define a superordinate group as one whose members, because of physical or cultural characteristics, are disadvantaged and subjected to unequal treatment by the dominate group and who regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination.

Accepted Answer

A superordinate group is typically the dominant group that holds power and privilege, not the disadvantaged group. The description given fits a subordinate or minority group.

Question 2

Discriminatory actions vary in severity from the use of derogatory labels to violence against individuals and groups. The ultimate form of discrimination, genocide, occurs when people are considered to be unworthy to live because of their race or ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

Discriminatory actions can range from verbal to physical harm, with genocide being the most extreme and violent form of discrimination where a group is systematically targeted for eradication based on their identity.

Question 3

According to psychologist Theodor Adorno, a permissive personality is more likely to develop in a family environment in which dominating parents who are anxious about status use physical discipline but show very little love in raising their children.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to psychologist Theodor Adorno, a permissive...

Question 4

TV ads and programming reflect the actual level of interracial friendships and marriage in the U.S.

Accepted Answer

TV ads and programming often aim to portray diversity and inclusivity, which may not accurately reflect the actual level of interracial friendships and marriages in the U.S. They are influenced by marketing strategies and social trends rather than precise demographic data.

Question 5

Today, sociologists emphasize that race is a socially constructed reality, not a biological one. According to this approach, the social significance that people accord to race is more significant than any biological differences that might exist among people who are placed in arbitrary categories.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists have long argued that race is a social construct and not a biological reality. While there may be some genetic differences among people, the categories of race are largely socially constructed and assigned based on perceptions of physical characteristics. The meaning and significance attached to race is also socially constructed and varies across different historical and cultural contexts.

Question 6

In the contact hypothesis, symbolic interactionists point out that contact between people from divergent groups should lead to favorable attitudes and behavior when certain factors such as having equal status and pursuing the same goals are present.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the basic principles of the contact hypothesis from a symbolic interactionist perspective.

Question 7

Diversity training programs are attempts at getting people to discard their negative stereotypes about race.

Accepted Answer

Diversity training programs are specifically designed to help people challenge and overcome negative stereotypes and biases about people from different races, cultures, and backgrounds. These programs aim to increase awareness and understanding of diversity, promote respect and inclusivity, and foster positive attitudes and behaviors towards people from all walks of life. By educating individuals on the value of cultural differences and the dangers of discrimination, diversity training programs can help to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces, schools, and communities.

Question 8

African Americans were the only group to be subjected to slavery; when slavery was abolished, a class system was instituted to maintain economic and social inequality between whites and African Americans.

Accepted Answer

While African Americans were the primary group subjected to slavery in the United States, other groups including Native Americans and some Latinos were also enslaved. Additionally, after slavery was abolished, other racial and ethnic groups faced discrimination and inequality as well. The statement is an oversimplification of a complex history of systemic oppression and marginalization towards multiple groups.

Question 9

Overt discrimination in sports occurs when whites are described as having the intelligence, dependability, and leadership and decision-making skills needed in positions requiring higher levels of responsibility and control.

Accepted Answer

Overt discrimination in sports occurs when individuals are treated differently based on their race or ethnicity, not when whites are specifically described as possessing certain qualities. Discrimination can occur against any race or ethnicity, and it is important to promote equality and fairness in all aspects of sports.

Question 10

According to sociologist Joe Feagin, indirect institutionalized discrimination takes place when a prejudiced judge may give harsher sentences to all African American defendants but may not be supported by the judicial system in that action.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to sociologist Joe Feagin, indirect institutionalized...

Question 11

Biological (amalgamation) assimilation in the United States initially followed an "Anglo conformity" model; members of subordinate ethnic groups were expected to conform to the culture of the dominant white Anglo-Saxon population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Biological (amalgamation) assimilation in the United States...

Question 12

An ethnic group is a category of people who have been singled out as inferior or superior, often on the basis of real or alleged physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, eye shape, or other subjectively selected attributes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An ethnic group is a category of...

Question 13

The split-labor market theory refers to the division of the economy into two areas of employment, a privatization sector or upper tier, composed of higher-paid (usually subordinate group) workers in more secure jobs, and a tertiary sector or lower tier, composed of lower-paid (often superordinate group) workers in jobs with little security and hazardous working conditions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The split-labor market theory refers to the...

Question 14

The caste perspective, which sees racial and ethnic equality as a permanent feature of U.S. society, is a type of functional theory.

Accepted Answer

The caste perspective is not a type of functional theory. It is a perspective that emphasizes the importance of social stratification based on ascribed characteristics such as race, ethnicity, and ancestry. Functional theory, on the other hand, sees society as a complex system that functions through the interdependent parts of its social institutions.

Question 15

Ethnocentrism is maintained and perpetuated in stereotypes-overgeneralizations about the appearance, behavior, or other characteristics of members of particular categories.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism often arises from stereotypes which are overgeneralizations and can be based on appearance, behavior, or other characteristics of people from a specific group. These stereotypes can then be used to maintain and perpetuate the belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Question 16

An example of de jure segregation was the Jim Crow laws, which legalized the separation of the races in public accommodations (such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, hospitals, jails, schools, churches, and cemeteries) in the southern United States after the Civil War.

Accepted Answer

Jim Crow laws were state and local laws legalizing segregation and discrimination against African Americans in public places in the southern United States.

Question 17

Ethnic groups share five main characteristics. One of them is "territoriality," or the tendency to occupy a distinct geographic area (such as Little Italy or Little Havana) by choice and/or for self-protection.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes one of the five main characteristics of ethnic groups.

Question 18

Internal colonialism occurs when members of a racial or ethnic group are conquered or colonized and forcibly placed under the economic and political control of the dominant group. Groups that have been subjected to internal colonialism remain in subordinate positions longer than groups that voluntarily migrated to the United States.

Accepted Answer

Internal colonialism is a form of oppression experienced by indigenous or racial minority groups within a country. They are often subjected to unequal treatment and limited access to resources and opportunities. Because internal colonialism involves a historical power dynamic in which one group dominates and exploits the other, those who have experienced internal colonialism tend to remain disadvantaged for longer periods of time than immigrants who voluntarily migrated to the United States.

Question 19

Multiracial framing refers to ads that are targeted to diverse audiences in order to sell products.

Accepted Answer

Multiracial framing refers to the representation and inclusion of multiple racial groups within media content, not specifically to ads targeted at diverse audiences.

Question 20

Scapegoats are often used as substitutes for the actual source of the frustration. For example, members of subordinate racial and ethnic groups are often blamed for societal problems (such as unemployment or an economic recession) over which they have no control.

Accepted Answer

Scapegoating involves blaming a particular group or individual for a problem or issue, even though they may not have any direct responsibility or control over it. This is often done as a way to deflect anger, frustration, or anxiety from the actual source of the problem onto a convenient target. Racial and ethnic minorities are frequent targets of scapegoating, as are other marginalized groups such as immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Quiz 9: Race and Ethnicity.