Question 1

Whose death by police in 2020 prompted protests around the country?

Accepted Answer

George Floyd's death by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020, prompted widespread protests across the United States and around the world, highlighting issues of police brutality and racial inequality.

Question 2

What is the bad apples theory of racial profiling by US police?

Accepted Answer

The bad apples theory of racial profiling by US police suggests that particular officers who hold negative attitudes against Black people and actively discriminate should be treated as isolated cases. This theory stresses the importance of identifying and removing such officers rather than assuming that the entire police force is prone to racial profiling.

Question 3

What is the percentage of African Americans in the US population reported by the Census Bureau for 2019?

Accepted Answer

According to the Census Bureau's report, the percentage of African Americans in the US population in 2019 was 13%.

Question 4

What percentage of people self-identified as multiracial in the 2019 Census report?

Accepted Answer

In the 2019 Census report, 3% of people self-identified as multiracial.

Question 5

According to the American Sociological Association, _____ refers to "shared culture, such as language, ancestry, practices, and beliefs," while _____ refers to "physical differences that groups and cultures consider socially significant."

Accepted Answer

The American Sociological Association defines ethnicity as shared culture, while race refers to physical differences that are considered socially significant. Therefore, option D - ethnicity; race - is the correct choice.

Question 6

The idea of distinguishable groups based on race is something that has existed for many years. In the 19th century biologists attempted to develop a typology that grouped humans into categories.

Accepted Answer

Biologists in the 19th century attempted to classify humans into three main groups: Negroid, Mongoloid, and Caucasoid, which were roughly associated with Black, Asian, and White racial categories, respectively.

Question 7

Which of the following are examples of ethnicities?

Accepted Answer

Both Hispanic and Irish are examples of ethnicities, as they refer to specific cultural or national groups within larger racial categories. Choice B includes ethnicities as well, but also includes a racial category (African American). Choice C consists only of a broad racial category (White) and a national identity (American), while choice D includes only two racial categories (Black and Asian) but does not specify any particular ethnic groups within those categories.

Question 8

Race is a social construction and only loosely based in biology. One illustration of this is

Accepted Answer

Race categories are not fixed across time and place, and can vary depending on cultural and societal beliefs about ancestry and identity. For example, someone who is considered Black in one country may be considered a different race or ethnic group in another country. This demonstrates that race is not solely determined by biological factors, but also influenced by social and cultural factors.

Question 9

Sociologists define a minority group not in terms of its numerical size but rather

Accepted Answer

Sociologists define a minority group not in terms of its numerical size, but rather as a group that suffers from unequal treatment due to a lack of access to power in relation to the dominant group. This means that even if a minority group has more social, economic, and political power than the dominant group, it can still be considered a minority group if it is deemed inferior in society and experiences unequal treatment.

Question 10

An example of the sociological approach to the minority/majority dynamic is

Accepted Answer

Option D provides an example of the sociological approach to the minority/majority dynamic because it demonstrates that being the numerical majority does not necessarily guarantee social, economic, or political power. The apartheid system in South Africa created a highly unequal society where Whites, despite being a numerical minority, held all the power and oppressed the Black majority. This highlights the fact that the minority/majority dynamic is more than just a matter of numbers; it is also about social and institutional power. Options A and B both focus solely on demographic trends and do not consider the complexities of minority/majority relationships. Option C is also incorrect because it is based on a mistaken assumption that being a minority is simply a matter of population size.

Question 11

Prejudice consists of

Accepted Answer

Prejudice refers to a negative attitude or set of beliefs about a particular group of people. It does not necessarily involve mistreatment or action, and it is not grounded in consistent and unchallenged evidence. Option D is incorrect as it includes mistreatment and actions, which are not necessarily part of prejudice.

Question 12

Discrimination is

Accepted Answer

Discrimination involves mistreatment, actions, and behaviors against a particular group, which aligns with option A. Option B describes a fair judgment, and option C describes prejudice, not discrimination.

Question 13

Which of the following categories of Merton's typology of prejudice and discrimination is the least harmful in terms of fighting racism?

Accepted Answer

The Unprejudiced Non-Discriminator category is the least harmful because individuals in this category do not hold any prejudiced attitudes and do not discriminate against minority groups. Therefore, they are more likely to be allies in the fight against racism and discrimination.

Question 14

Why would color-blind racism be more difficult to eradicate than open racism?

Accepted Answer

Color-blind racism is more difficult to eradicate than open racism because people often think that racism is no longer a problem and dismiss the discussion of racial inequality without considering the evidence. This makes it harder to address and combat.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of white privilege?

Accepted Answer

White people in the U.S. receiving unequal access to housing loans is an example of white privilege. Despite having similar financial situations, people of color may be denied housing loans simply based on their race. This is an example of how whiteness provides opportunities and benefits that are not afforded to others. The other options in the question are not examples of white privilege.

Question 16

In direct opposition to the notion of White privilege, which group feels there is actually more "Black privilege"?

Accepted Answer

Working-class Whites may feel that Black individuals have more privilege due to affirmative action policies designed to promote diversity and representation in hiring and education. They may see these policies as giving Black individuals an advantage over them, regardless of individual merit or qualifications. However, it is important to note that this perspective overlooks the systemic barriers and discrimination faced by the Black community, particularly in areas such as housing, healthcare, and criminal justice.

Question 17

A White person saying, "The worst thing to do to someone is to call them a racist! I don't see color!" is an example of

Accepted Answer

This response is an example of White fragility, wherein a White person becomes defensive, uncomfortable, or agitated when confronted with the realities of racism and racial discrimination. By immediately denying any possibility of being racist and claiming not to see color, this person is attempting to deflect any criticism of their actions or words and avoid being held accountable for perpetuating systemic racism.

Question 18

According to the World Value Survey, the United States is _____ of others than other places in the world.

Accepted Answer

The World Value Survey has consistently shown that the United States is more tolerant than many other places in the world, with high levels of support for individual rights and freedoms. However, it should be noted that there are still areas of intolerance and discrimination within the US, especially towards marginalized groups like minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.

Question 19

What factor does sociologist race expert William Julius Wilson content is a more dominant stratifier in the U.S. than race?

Accepted Answer

According to William Julius Wilson, class is a more dominant stratifier in the U.S. than race. He contends that the growing income inequality and concentration of poverty in certain neighborhoods have a greater impact on social mobility and life chances than race.

Question 20

Which of the following places was found to have more intolerant racial views according to the World Value Survey?

Accepted Answer

The World Value Survey has found that regions in the Middle East and Asia tend to have more intolerant racial views compared to Latin America, the U.S., and Scandinavian countries. This is based on survey responses regarding social attitudes and values, including questions related to racial tolerance.

Quiz 6: Cant We All Just Get Along Racial and Ethnic Inequalities