Question 1

Which of the following best describes the role of the federal government in defining ethnicity in the United States?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

When minority group members internalize prejudiced views about their group and allow these beliefs to shape their behavior, it creates a:

Accepted Answer

When minority group members internalize prejudiced views about their group and allow these beliefs to shape their behavior, it creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, where their actions reinforce the negative stereotypes they hold about themselves and their group. This can lead to a cycle of negative experiences and outcomes, perpetuating the belief that these stereotypes are accurate.

Question 3

John, who does not claim to be racist, strongly supports a policy that would prohibit mixed-race couples from adopting children. John is:

Accepted Answer

Symbolic racism refers to holding beliefs that are ostensibly non-racist but support policies that have racist outcomes, such as opposing mixed-race adoptions.

Question 4

The first time humans were systematically classified into different groups in scientific work was in:

Accepted Answer

In 1735, Carl von Linné (also known as Linnaeus), a Swedish botanist and physician, published Systema Naturae, which is considered the first work on systematic classification of organisms. Linné's system classified organisms into kingdoms, classes, orders, genera, and species based on their physical characteristics. This system laid the foundation for modern taxonomy and later influenced the classification of humans into races.

Question 5

Todd, an English-born lawyer, went to law school in France. Although he practices law in France, he is employed by an English company and maintains residences in London and Paris. Todd's situation is best described as __________, because he fully participates in and has loyalty to two nations and cultures.

Accepted Answer

Todd's situation is an example of transnationalism, which refers to individuals who maintain strong ties to more than one country or culture and fully participate in both. This is different from assimilation (giving up one's original culture to adopt the dominant culture) and subjugation (being controlled by a dominant culture). Pluralism could also be considered a possible answer, but transnationalism more accurately describes Todd's specific situation of loyalty to two nations/cultures.

Question 6

According to Stanley Lieberson's research on the unequal levels of success different immigrant groups have attained in the United States, one primary factor contributing to the group's success is:

Accepted Answer

Stanley Lieberson's research highlights the distinction between voluntary and involuntary immigrants as a significant factor in the varying levels of success among different immigrant groups in the United States. Voluntary immigrants, who choose to move, often have more opportunities and resources to succeed compared to involuntary immigrants, who are forced to move due to factors like slavery or refugee status.

Question 7

Lisa strongly believes that certain groups of humans are biologically inferior to other groups of humans. Lisa is a(n) __________ racist.

Accepted Answer

Lisa's belief in biological inferiority of certain groups of humans is an example of ideological racism, which emphasizes that some races and ethnicities are naturally superior or inferior to others. Symbolic racism refers to more subtle forms of prejudice and discrimination, such as negative attitudes towards racial minorities expressed through coded language. Institutional racism refers to discriminatory practices and policies embedded in institutions like government and corporations. Traditional racism refers to explicit forms of racism based on overt beliefs in the superiority of one race over another.

Question 8

According to William Julius Wilson, the urban poor who exist outside of the functioning economic system are the:

Accepted Answer

William Julius Wilson coined the term "underclass" to describe the urban poor who are trapped in persistent poverty and disconnected from the mainstream economy. The term is used to distinguish them from the working poor who, despite low wages and economic struggles, are still able to participate in the formal economy. Option A, "True minority," is not an accurate term for this group as it does not capture their economic situation. Option B, "Trapped poor," is a close term but not as commonly used as "underclass." Option D, "Urban lower class," is too general and does not capture the specific economic and social struggles of this group.

Question 9

As Eric waited for class to start, he considered starting a conversation with one of his classmates. However, Eric decided they all looked like "frat boys," and he figured they would have nothing in common, so he sat silently and waited for class to start. Eric's behavior can be best described as:

Accepted Answer

Eric is making assumptions about his classmates based on their appearance and labeling them as "frat boys," which is a stereotype. This behavior can be harmful as it reinforces a narrow and biased view of a particular group of people.

Question 10

When the Serbian army massacred Bosnian civilians while conducting "ethnic cleansing," they were participating in this type of group relation, in which the dominant group makes a systematic effort to destroy a minority group:

Accepted Answer

The systematic effort to destroy a minority group through violence and terror, as seen in the Serbian army's actions during the Bosnian War, is commonly referred to as genocide.

Question 11

According to the text, the first attempt to scientifically define race was made by:

Accepted Answer

The text states that the first attempt to scientifically define race was made by Carl von Linné.

Question 12

Jim Crow laws in mid-1900s America are examples of __________ discrimination.

Accepted Answer

Jim Crow laws were explicitly designed to enforce racial segregation and discrimination, making them a clear example of purposeful discrimination.

Question 13

When Mary, the owner of a large apartment complex, was deciding whom to rent an open apartment to, she immediately disregarded the application of 84-year-old Millie because Mary does not rent apartments to old women. Mary's treatment of Millie is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Mary's decision to not rent to Millie on the basis of her age is an example of individual discrimination, which refers to discriminatory actions taken by an individual or a small group of individuals against others based on their perceived group membership.

Question 14

Joseph lives in a country where he is not allowed to go to school with white students since he, himself, is not white. He can only eat in certain restaurants, and he has a government-mandated curfew based on his race. He cannot buy a house in certain parts of town and must sit on the left side of the bus. Joseph lives in a town that is:

Accepted Answer

Joseph's experiences suggest that he is living in a society that practices segregation, a system that separates people based on their race. The restrictions he faces in education, housing, transportation, and dining are all examples of segregation.

Question 15

The often forced removal of a minority group from a region or country is:

Accepted Answer

Population transfer refers to the forced removal of a minority group from a region or country. Subjugation refers to the act of bringing a group of people under domination or control, while segregation refers to the separation of different groups based on characteristics such as race or religion. Domestic colonialism refers to a situation where one group within a country dominates and exploits another group.

Question 16

A(n)__________ is a group within the human species that is identified by a society as presumably having certain biologically inherited physical characteristics.

Accepted Answer

A race is a socially constructed category based on physical characteristics such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture. It is a way in which society identifies groups within the human species as having certain inherited physical attributes. Ethnic group refers to a group of people who share a common cultural heritage, language, and history. A minority group is a group that has less power or control than the dominant group in society. An out-group is a group to which an individual does not belong and may be viewed as different or inferior.

Question 17

Minority groups in the United States have, on average, significantly lower net worth than white Americans even when the two have similar education, income, and occupations. Sociologists attribute the wealth gap largely to housing policies that exclude minority individuals from home ownership. This is an example of __________ discrimination.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of past-in-present discrimination because historical housing policies (such as redlining and exclusionary zoning) that discriminated against minority groups still have lasting effects on their ability to accumulate wealth through homeownership, even though these policies are no longer in place.

Question 18

Before the civil rights laws were passed in the United States in the 1960s, a number of states had __________ laws that spelled out differential treatment for racial groups.

Accepted Answer

Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the United States enacted between 1876 and 1965 that mandated racial segregation in all public facilities, with a supposedly "separate but equal" status for black Americans. These laws included segregation in schools, public transportation, and public accommodations, as well as restrictions on voting rights and interracial marriage.

Question 19

Which race, 25 and older, is most likely to have a college education?

Accepted Answer

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Asians have the highest percentage of individuals 25 and older with a college education at 55.9%, followed by Whites at 37.1%, African Americans at 25.8%, and Hispanics at 16.4%. Therefore, the best choice is C) Asian.

Question 20

__________ occurs when a minority group is blamed for others' failures and shortcomings.

Accepted Answer

Scapegoating is the act of blaming a particular group for problems that are not the fault of that group. This often happens when individuals or groups are threatened, under stress, or facing social, economic, or political instability. Minority groups are often targeted as scapegoats because they are perceived as vulnerable and powerless, and therefore easy to blame.

Quiz 8: Race and Ethnic Group Stratification: Beyond Us and Them