Question 1

A disadvantaged person or category of people whom others blame for their own problems is known as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A scapegoat is a person, group or thing bearing the blame for others, especially for those that have no power/rarely have a voice to defend themselves or respond effectively. Scapegoating often results in the creation of stereotypes, false accusations, and prejudice towards the targeted group.

Question 2

Racial differences are based on:

Accepted Answer

Racial differences are largely based on socially constructed and often arbitrary perceptions, rather than genetic or biological differences. The concept of race has varied across time and place, and has been used to justify systems of unequal power and privilege.

Question 3

As the examples of Tiger Woods and Colin Powell demonstrate,the difference between "black," "white," "Asian," and so forth is:

Accepted Answer

The examples of Tiger Woods and Colin Powell show that racial categorization can be difficult to determine. This is because one's race can be influenced by various factors such as ancestry, physical features, cultural background, and societal perceptions. Therefore, it is often challenging to classify individuals into neat racial categories.

Question 4

Koreans in Japan today are subject to much prejudice and discrimination.They often pursue careers in sports and entertainment.In contrast,Koreans in the United States face less prejudice and discrimination.Few of them become athletes and entertainers.Instead,they are often said to excel in engineering and science.Which of the following does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Social circumstances, such as the level of prejudice and discrimination in a society, can significantly influence the career paths individuals pursue.

Question 5

Morton found that the races ranking highest in the social hierarchy had the biggest brains,while those ranking lowest had the smallest brains.Morton's research had profound sociological implications,for he claimed to show that:

Accepted Answer

Morton's research claimed that the races ranking highest in the social hierarchy had the biggest brains while those ranking lowest had the smallest brains. This suggests that social inequality was biologically determined and had roots in race, supporting option A.

Question 6

Sociologists have identified certain conditions leading to high levels of participation in sports (as well as entertainment and crime).These conditions are:

Accepted Answer

Sociologists are experts in studying human behavior and relationships within social contexts. Therefore, it is logical that the conditions leading to high levels of participation in sports (and other activities like entertainment and crime) are social in nature. These conditions may include cultural norms that prioritize physical activity, access to resources such as facilities and equipment, peer pressure, and role models. While biological, physiological, physical, and genetic factors may play a role in individual abilities or predispositions towards certain activities, they are not sufficient explanations for high levels of participation at a societal level.

Question 7

Because Morton tried to use science to show that Native Americans and African Americans naturally rest at the bottom of the social hierarchy,his ideas were used to justify:

Accepted Answer

Morton's ideas were used to justify both colonization and slavery by suggesting that Native Americans and African Americans were naturally inferior and thus suited to be dominated or enslaved. This was a common justification for both practices during his time.

Question 8

____ refers to socially significant physical differences,such as skin color,not to biological differences that determine behavior.

Accepted Answer

Race refers to the socially significant physical differences between individuals, typically categorized by skin color, ancestry, and other physical characteristics. It does not refer to biological differences that determine behavior, as these are more influenced by factors such as environment and upbringing. Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions about people based on their membership in a particular group, while discrimination refers to actions taken against individuals or groups as a result of these prejudices. Racism is a form of prejudice and discrimination specific to race, while stereotypes are over-generalized beliefs about groups of individuals.

Question 9

One criticism of the argument that genes determine specific behaviors of racial groups is that it is impossible to:

Accepted Answer

This is a valid criticism as there is no clear-cut way to distinguish races based on genetic differences, making it difficult to make sweeping generalizations about behavioral traits based on race.

Question 10

An attitude that leads someone to judge a person on his or her group's real or imagined characteristics is called:

Accepted Answer

Prejudice is an attitude that influences how a person perceives and thinks about members of a particular group, based on assumptions, stereotypes, or generalizations. It can lead to discriminatory behaviors and actions against individuals or groups, based on their membership in that group. Genocide refers to the intentional, systematic extermination of a particular group of people. Discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on their membership in a particular category, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Norms are social rules and expectations that guide behavior and interactions, while an ethnic group is a group of people who share a common cultural, linguistic, or ancestral heritage.

Question 11

The argument for the genetic basis of black athletic superiority begins to falter once we consider:

Accepted Answer

The argument for the genetic basis of black athletic superiority relies on the existence of a gene for athletic ability which has not yet been identified. Therefore, option C weakens this argument as it points out that there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Option A is incorrect because work ethic is not necessarily genetic. Option B is incorrect because it presents evidence of success in sports that are not typically associated with black athletes, which actually strengthens the argument for genetic diversity playing a role in athletic performance. Option D is incorrect because one of the choices is the correct answer.

Question 12

Which one of the following is NOT one of the three main issues that compromise Morton's findings:

Accepted Answer

Option E is the only one that does not compromise Morton's findings. In fact, Morton's racist beliefs and intentions have been well-documented, and he even admitted to manipulating his data to fit his preconceived notions about racial hierarchy. Options A, B, C, and D, on the other hand, are all valid issues that cast doubt on the validity of Morton's conclusions.

Question 13

Evidence shows that the ____ in which one is raised and educated has a big impact on IQ and other standardized test scores.

Accepted Answer

Both the social and cultural environment play a significant role in shaping an individual's cognitive abilities, including IQ and standardized test scores. The social environment refers to the interactions and experiences with family, peers, and community, while the cultural environment encompasses values, beliefs, and traditions that influence cognitive development. Studies have shown that individuals from different social and cultural backgrounds perform differently on IQ tests, indicating the impact of upbringing on cognitive abilities.

Question 14

What is a category of people whose perceived physical markers are deemed socially significant?

Accepted Answer

Ethnic groups are categories of people who are identified based on shared characteristics that can include culture, language, religion, and perceived physical markers that are deemed socially significant. These markers differentiate one ethnic group from another and are recognized both by the members of the group and by others.

Question 15

Promoting only athletes as suitable role models for African-American youth:

Accepted Answer

Promoting athletes as the primary role models emphasizes physical or entertainment talents over academic or intellectual achievements, potentially overshadowing the importance and more probable success of academic efforts for upward mobility.

Question 16

____ is a social construct used to distinguish people in terms of one or more physical markers and has profound effects on their lives.

Accepted Answer

Race is a social construct that categorizes people based on physical characteristics such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture. This categorization has significant impacts on people's lives, including their access to resources, opportunities, and social status. Prejudice, discrimination, racism, and stereotypes are all related concepts but do not fully capture the complex nature of race as a social construct.

Question 17

Most sociologists believe that the idea of race matters because it:

Accepted Answer

Most sociologists believe that the idea of race matters because it allows social inequality to be created and maintained. Race has been used as a basis for discrimination, prejudice, and inequality, leading to disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and power. Race has also been used to justify segregation, slavery, colonization, genocide, and other forms of violence and oppression. Therefore, understanding the role of race in society is crucial for understanding and challenging social inequality.

Question 18

What is unfair treatment of people due to their group membership?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on their membership in a particular demographic group, such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Prejudice refers to preconceived negative attitudes or beliefs about a particular group, while genocide is a violent attempt to destroy an entire group of people. Norm refers to a standard or expectation of behavior within a society, and is not directly related to unfair treatment based on group membership.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT part of the vicious cycle of racism?

Accepted Answer

The vicious cycle of racism is a self-perpetuating cycle of discrimination and inequality that is reinforced by social, cultural, and psychological factors. The other options (A-D) are all elements of this cycle, while E suggests that cultural understandings of race are flexible and can change over time, which is not directly related to the cycle of racism.

Question 20

A(n)____ is composed of people whose perceived cultural makers are deemed socially significant.

Accepted Answer

An ethnic group is composed of people who share common cultural markers such as language, religion, traditions, and/or ancestry. These cultural markers are deemed socially significant and help define the group's identity. Stereotypes, racism, and subcultures can be present within ethnic groups, but they do not define what an ethnic group is.

Quiz 10: Race and Ethnicity

A disadvantaged person or category of people whom others blame for their own problems is known as a(n) :