Question 1

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was given the power to ________.

Accepted Answer

The EEOC is primarily responsible for investigating complaints against employers related to discrimination in the workplace based on a protected class (such as race, gender, religion, etc.). The other options listed are not within the scope of the EEOC's responsibilities.

Question 2

According to Carmichael and Hamilton, ________ can take place without an individual intending to deprive others of privileges and even without the individual being aware that others are being deprived.

Accepted Answer

Carmichael and Hamilton describe institutional racism as a form of discrimination that can occur without intent or awareness by individuals, where the policies and practices of institutions or organizations systematically advantage one group and disadvantage others based on race. Pluralism refers to the coexistence of diverse racial and ethnic groups in society, anti-Semitism refers specifically to discrimination against Jewish people, and color-blind racism refers to a denial or minimization of the impact of race in society.

Question 3

Which of the following has been the key driver for initiatives to end discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Resistance to inequality by subordinate groups has been the key driver for initiatives to end discrimination. Throughout history, marginalized groups have organized and fought against discrimination through various social movements, such as the civil rights movement and the LGBTQ+ rights movement. While federal government action and state laws can be important tools for combating discrimination, they often come after grassroots efforts and activism by those who have experienced discrimination firsthand. Efforts made by the media can also be significant, but they tend to follow and amplify the actions of marginalized groups rather than drive them.

Question 4

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 led to the establishment of the ________.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to oversee and enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. The other options listed were not directly established by this act.

Question 5

Patricia J. Williams, an African American academic, writes about her experiences regarding redlining. She states, "I was treated differently when lenders and real estate agents realized that I was an African American." Which of the following is most likely to have occurred after they realized that she was an African American?

Accepted Answer

Redlining is a discriminatory practice in which banks, real estate agents, and other financial institutions refuse or limit loans, mortgages, insurance, and other services to certain neighborhoods, usually based on race or ethnicity. When Williams states that she was "treated differently," it is most likely that she was shown fewer properties than white people or those of other ethnic identities, as part of the practice of redlining. This would limit her choices and opportunities to find suitable housing. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 6

Patricia J. Williams, an African American academic, writes about her experiences regarding redlining. She states, "I was treated differently when lenders and real estate agents realized that I was an African American." Which of the following is most likely to have occurred before they realized that she was an African American?

Accepted Answer

Before realizing Patricia J. Williams was African American, lenders and real estate agents likely treated her without the biases associated with redlining, meaning she would have been asked fewer questions about her finances, reflecting a more straightforward and less scrutinized process.

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to racist outcomes that become so widespread that minority groups endure them as a part of everyday life?

Accepted Answer

Woodwork racism refers to racist outcomes that are so ingrained and widespread that they become a normalized part of everyday life for minority groups.

Question 8

In 1987, the Supreme Court ruled in two cases that any member of an ethnic minority may sue under federal prohibitions against discrimination. These two cases involved ________.

Accepted Answer

The two cases in 1987 involved an Iraqi American professor and a Jewish congregation, demonstrating that federal prohibitions against discrimination apply to members of ethnic minorities, not just racial minorities.

Question 9

In which of the following Supreme Court rulings did the court affirm that victims had to file a formal complaint within 180 days of the alleged discrimination?

Accepted Answer

The ruling that established the 180-day time limit for filing complaints of discrimination was Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in 2007. Lilly Ledbetter, a former employee of Goodyear, claimed she was paid less than her male counterparts because of her gender. However, the Court ruled that she had not filed her complaint within the required time limit and therefore could not bring her case to court. This ruling was later overturned by the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.

Question 10

Many Baltonian men were effectively barred from serving in the police department of Rhodia because they failed to meet the minimum height requirement. The height requirement in no way helped perform the job effectively and favored White men in securing positions in the department. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of institutional discrimination because the height requirement was a policy implemented by the police department, which led to exclusion of Baltonian men from employment, without a valid job-related reason. It perpetuated a pattern of exclusion and discrimination against a particular group, and was systemic in nature.

Question 11

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 applied to any businesses with more than ________ employees.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to businesses with more than 25 employees, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Question 12

Two years into her new job, Paula finds that her salary is considerably lesser than that of her male colleagues at similar positions. She can seek redress for this disparity in pay even after 180 days under the ________.

Accepted Answer

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act allows employees to file a complaint about pay discrimination within 180 days of receiving a discriminatory paycheck. However, if a later paycheck contains discriminatory pay, the 180-day window starts over. Therefore, Paula can seek redress for her pay disparity even after 180 days under the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The other options do not specifically address pay disparities due to gender or provide protection beyond the initial 180-day window.

Question 13

For married couples working in the same firm, company policies provide a higher number of leaves to the mother than the father in the event of childbirth. This results in lost work opportunities and lesser chances of promotion for the woman. This policy is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This policy is an example of sex discrimination, where one gender is given preferential treatment over another gender. It is discriminatory towards women, as they are expected to take a larger role in child-rearing, while men are expected to work more. This leads to lost work opportunities and lesser chances of promotion for women.

Question 14

Redlining refers to the pattern of ________.

Accepted Answer

Redlining refers to the practice of discriminating against certain individuals or neighborhoods, often based on race or socioeconomic status, in the issuance of loans, insurance policies, or other financial services. Specifically, D refers to discrimination against those trying to buy homes in racially changing localities.

Question 15

Joanne and Richard are both single parents looking for housing in a certain neighborhood. Joanne is consistently quoted higher rents than Richard. If Joanne is being redlined, it is because she differs from Richard in terms of ________.

Accepted Answer

Redlining is a discriminatory practice where people are treated differently based on their race or ethnicity. Since Joanne is consistently quoted higher rents than Richard, it can be inferred that she is being redlined because of her race, which is different from Richard's. The other options - income level, age, and occupation - are not mentioned in the scenario and therefore cannot be the basis for Joanne's higher rent quotes.

Question 16

A firm promotes men to higher positions than women despite women performing better at the workplace. This is because the company believes that women need to balance tasks at home and work, which makes it difficult for them to take up positions of increased responsibility. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes clear gender discrimination (D) based on assumptions and stereotypes regarding women's ability to balance responsibilities at home and work. Reverse discrimination (A) and affirmative action (B) refer to intentional policies to promote underrepresented groups and are not applicable in this scenario. The self-fulfilling prophecy (C) refers to a belief or prediction becoming true because it is acted upon, but this is not the case in this scenario.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true of wealth inequality?

Accepted Answer

According to recent studies, the median wealth of White households is 20 times that of Black households. Choices A and B are false; the wealth gap between White households and Black and Latino households is increasing and Black children are less likely to surpass their parents' income than White children. Choice C may be a possible factor, but it is not directly supported by the information given.

Question 18

Which of the following is true of earning members of different groups?

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that men earn a higher income than women regardless of their qualifications, race, or ethnicity. Option A is incorrect as Asian American men have a higher median income than white males. Option B is incorrect as the gender pay gap persists at all levels of education. Option D is incorrect as the median income of White men is higher than that of Hispanic men.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of institutional discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Institutional discrimination refers to discrimination that is built into the policies and practices of organizations, institutions, and governments. In option A, the policy of excluding individuals with felony records may disproportionately impact certain groups, such as racial minorities, who are more likely to have criminal records due to systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. This constitutes institutional discrimination. Options B and C are not examples of discrimination, as they are reasonable job requirements. Option D seems to be an equal treatment policy, rather than discrimination.

Question 20

________ constitute the group with the highest median income in the U.S.

Accepted Answer

Asian men tend to have the highest median income among the groups listed in the United States, according to various income and demographic studies.

Quiz 3: Discrimination