Question 1

Studies have shown that the continuation of residential segregation of blacks from whites is primarily a product of:

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that resistance from white individuals and communities to residential integration has been a significant contributor to the continuation of residential segregation between blacks and whites. This resistance can take the form of discriminatory housing practices, such as redlining or steering, as well as more covert forms of racism such as the "not in my backyard" mentality. Blacks expressing a preference to live among other blacks does not fully explain the persistence of segregation, as it fails to address the systemic barriers and discrimination they face in accessing housing options in majority white areas. Sociocultural practices of blacks are not a significant contributing factor to residential segregation, as these practices differ greatly among individuals and communities and do not universally impact where people live. While government policies have historically enforced segregation, the impact of these policies has been greatly reduced in recent decades and is no longer the primary cause of residential segregation.

Question 2

Devon, a young black man with a high school education, seems to be stuck in low-paying, dead-end jobs.According to proponents of the "dysfunctional culture" hypothesis, which of the following is the most likely scenario for Devon?

Accepted Answer

The "dysfunctional culture" hypothesis suggests that individuals like Devon are stuck in low-paying, dead-end jobs because of the negative influence of their upbringing in high-crime neighborhoods. Therefore, choice A, which suggests that Devon grew up in a high-crime neighborhood, is most likely the scenario for Devon according to this hypothesis. The other choices do not specifically address the hypothesis's claims regarding the effect of upbringing on job prospects.

Question 3

According to William Julius Wilson (2009), the black-white economic gap is primarily attributable to:

Accepted Answer

William Julius Wilson argues that the black-white economic gap is primarily attributable to class factors such as unequal educational opportunities, job opportunities, and access to resources. He suggests that the decline of industrial jobs and the lack of investment in poor urban areas have contributed to this gap. Integration conflicts and overt discrimination have also played a role, but Wilson argues that they are secondary factors compared to class factors. Rapid urbanization may have exacerbated these issues, but it is not the primary cause of the economic gap.

Question 4

Joann and Mark, a white American couple, are planning to purchase a home in the next year or so.They approve of residential integration as a concept, but are not looking for homes in areas with a high percentage of blacks.What concept are they most illustrating?

Accepted Answer

Joann and Mark's behavior illustrates aversive racism, which involves the conscious endorsement of egalitarian values while still maintaining unconscious negative beliefs and feelings about racial or ethnic minorities. They may not have overtly racist attitudes, but their preference to avoid areas with a high percentage of blacks suggests a preference for segregation or separation based on race.

Question 5

Most white Americans:

Accepted Answer

The majority of white Americans have shown to approve of black-white dating, according to multiple surveys and studies conducted in recent years. However, there may still be a minority of white Americans who hold prejudiced beliefs towards interracial relationships.

Question 6

One of the major achievements of the Civil Rights movement is the:

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights movement played a significant role in creating opportunities for African Americans to achieve upward social and economic mobility. As a result, the emergence of a large black middle class became a major achievement of the movement. While progress has been made in reducing residential and school segregation and black poverty, these issues still persist in some form.

Question 7

In 1940, about __________ of employed blacks were in white-collar jobs; in the year 2000, about __________of employed blacks were in white-collar jobs.

Accepted Answer

In 1940, only a small fraction of employed blacks were in white-collar jobs, but by the year 2000, this number had increased significantly to about 50 percent, reflecting significant socio-economic changes and progress in racial equality in the workplace over the 60-year period.

Question 8

Regarding education, African Americans:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Regarding education, African Americans:
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Question 9

In every economic measure:

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, data consistently shows that in every economic measure, blacks lag behind whites. This includes measures such as income, wealth, employment rates, and poverty rates. While there may be some exceptions within specific subgroups, this is the overall trend.

Question 10

In terms of attitudes, blacks and whites differ primarily in terms of their:

Accepted Answer

Research studies have consistently shown that blacks and whites differ significantly in their perception of discrimination in American society. While many whites believe that discrimination is no longer a significant issue, most blacks believe that it remains a major problem. Differences in attitudes toward education, voting, and work ethics may also exist to some extent, but they are not as significant as the difference in perception of discrimination.

Question 11

Most racial discrimination in American society today is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most racial discrimination in American society today...

Question 12

African Americans have not followed the same path of upward mobility as other American ethnic groups largely because of the lack of:

Accepted Answer

Residential dispersion refers to the segregation and concentration of African Americans in certain neighborhoods, which has limited their access to quality education, job opportunities, and resources necessary for upward mobility. This has contributed to a persistent racial wealth gap and has impeded African American progress towards economic and social mobility. While income advancement, vocational training, and urbanization are all important factors, the lack of residential dispersion has been a major obstacle to African American progress.

Question 13

According to the idea of "black middle-class fragility," the black-white economic gap is largely attributable to:

Accepted Answer

The concept of "black middle-class fragility" suggests that the economic gap is due to the precarious and unstable socioeconomic status of the black middle class, which is often marginal and tenuous, rather than due to personal failings or systemic advantages like welfare.

Quiz 7: African Americans