Question 1

As highlighted by Sterba, affirmative-action is less appropriate in the workplace for Hispanics who hold a comparable percentage of management positions as white males.

Accepted Answer

Sterba's argument does not specifically conclude that affirmative action is less appropriate for Hispanics in the workplace based on their representation in management positions compared to white males. Instead, Sterba discusses the complexities and justifications of affirmative action in various contexts, including addressing historical and systemic inequalities that affect underrepresented groups, without making broad generalizations based on comparative percentages in management positions.

Question 2

In "Sexual Harassment and Solidarity" Larry May argues that the central moral wrong that is committed in cases of sexual harassment is the displeasure it creates in violation of the utilitarian greatest happiness principle.

Accepted Answer

In "Sexual Harassment and Solidarity," Larry May argues that the central moral wrong committed in cases of sexual harassment is the violation of the victim's autonomy, dignity, and self-respect, rather than purely the displeasure it creates. He argues that sexual harassment creates an oppressive and hostile environment, which undermines the victim's sense of inclusion and belonging in society, and that solidarity or collective action is necessary to combat it.

Question 3

Under the Intimidation Model, Larry May suggests sexual harassment is embodied by the transgressor being in a more powerful position than the victim.

Accepted Answer

According to the Intimidation Model proposed by Larry May, sexual harassment is characterized by a power imbalance between the perpetrator and the victim, where the perpetrator holds a position of authority or control over the victim, which can be used to intimidate or coerce the victim into engaging in unwanted sexual behavior. Therefore, in this model, sexual harassment is seen as a form of intimidation or abuse of power, which is enabled by the asymmetrical distribution of power and status between the parties involved.

Question 4

Under Larry May's characterization, a group of men posting inappropriate pictures of women in a work break room would never fit the definition of a "hostile work environment".

Accepted Answer

Larry May's characterization refers to behavior that is severe and pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment. A group of men posting inappropriate pictures of women in a work break room can be considered severe and pervasive, thus fitting the definition of a hostile work environment.

Question 5

According to Beauchamp, diversity in the workplace can be associated with positive work outcomes.

Accepted Answer

According to Beauchamp, diversity in the workplace can lead to positive work outcomes such as increased creativity, better problem-solving, and improved decision-making.

Question 6

In "Sexual Harassment and Solidarity" Larry May specifies that in order for a claim of sexual harassment to be taken seriously the event must have affected the employee's psychological well-being and must have detracted from the employee's job performance.

Accepted Answer

Larry May does not specify that both psychological well-being impact and job performance detriment are required for a sexual harassment claim to be taken seriously; the seriousness of a claim can depend on various factors, including the nature of the harassment itself, regardless of its direct impact on job performance or psychological health.

Question 7

According to James P. Sterba in "A Defense of Diversity Affirmative Action" what is/are the potential goal(s)of affirmative action programs 
A) To put an end to existing discriminatory practices 
B) To compensate for past discrimination and its effects 
C) To promote diversity in pursuit of its educational benefits and its ability to create a more effective workforce 
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

According to James P. Sterba, affirmative action programs serve the goals of putting an end to existing discriminatory practices, compensating for past discrimination and its effects, and promoting diversity in pursuit of its educational benefits and ability to create a more effective workforce. Therefore, the best choice is D, all of the above.

Question 8

Which of these statements regarding corporate affirmative action policies would Tom L. Beauchamp most agree with in "Affirmative Action Goals in Hiring and Promotion" 
A) Corporate affirmative action policies should be voluntary since it is outside the scope of government control to dictate hiring policies by corporations outside of clearly egregious cases of discrimination. 
B) There is reason to believe that corporate affirmative action policies may be in line with best hiring strategies since there is evidence to suggest hidden or unconscious discrimination may prevent companies from hiring the best candidates. 
C) The government should dictate corporate affirmative action policies for all corporations employing more than a certain number of employees to ensure fairness. 
D) Discrimination plays such a minor role in corporate hiring that corporate affirmative action policies are no longer required.

Accepted Answer

In "Affirmative Action Goals in Hiring and Promotion," Tom L. Beauchamp argues that corporate affirmative action policies may align with best hiring strategies by addressing unconscious or hidden discrimination. He does not advocate for government dictation of policies or suggest that discrimination plays a minor role in hiring.

Question 9

As stated by Sterba, affirmative action is unnecessary since we live in a color and gender-blind society.

Accepted Answer

Sterba does not argue that we live in a color and gender-blind society but rather that affirmative action is necessary to address ongoing discrimination and systemic inequalities.

Question 10

In "A defense of Diversity Affirmative Action", Sterba highlighted a number of U.S. Supreme Court cases that support affirmative action processes in one way or another.

Accepted Answer

Sterba did indeed mention several U.S. Supreme Court cases that support affirmative action in his defense of Diversity Affirmative Action.

Question 11

As highlighted by Beauchamp, persons or groups can be guilty of discrimination through acts of thoughtlessness and indifference.

Accepted Answer

Beauchamp argues that discrimination can also occur through acts of thoughtlessness and indifference, not just intentional discrimination.

Question 12

In their conclusion Jaimie Leeser and William O'Donohue in "Normative Issues in Defining Sexual Harassment", contend that it is a violation of which of these moral principles that underlies the moral wrong involved in sexual harassment 
A) A violation of the utilitarian greatest happiness principle 
B) A violation of the principle of justice as fairness 
C) A violation of Kant's second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, the principle of respect for persons 
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Leeser and O'Donohue argue that sexual harassment is a violation of Kant's second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, the principle of respect for persons. This principle states that individuals should always be treated as an end in themselves and never merely as a means to an end. Sexual harassment treats another person as a means to an end, denying them their dignity and autonomy. The other two options are not mentioned as underlying moral principles violated in sexual harassment in the conclusion of the article.

Question 13

In "Normative Issues in Defining Sexual Harassment" by Jaimie Leeser and William O'Donohue, it is the coercive violation of individual autonomy that is the central moral objection against "quid pro quo" sexual harassment.

Accepted Answer

According to the article, the central moral objection against "quid pro quo" sexual harassment is the coercive violation of individual autonomy, as it involves using one's power or authority to demand sexual favors in exchange for some benefit.

Question 14

Beauchamp, in "Affirmative Action Goals in Hiring and Promotion", mentions that empirical studies have reported diversity in the workforce being correlated with which of the following: 
A) Customer satisfaction (positive correlation) 
B) Higher-quality employees (positive correlation) 
C) Less turnover (negative correlation) 
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Empirical studies have reported that diversity in the workforce is positively correlated with customer satisfaction and higher-quality employees, and negatively correlated with turnover. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 15

As highlighted by Sterba, American-born white males make up 41% of the U.S. population and make up a similar percentage of all management positions in the U.S.

Accepted Answer

According to various sources and demographic studies, American-born white males do not make up 41% of the U.S. population; their percentage is lower. Additionally, the distribution of management positions does not directly correlate to population percentages and varies significantly across different sectors and levels of management.

Question 16

In "Sexual Harassment and Solidarity" Larry May argues that sexual discrimination is wrong on which of these accounts 
A) Women are degraded 
B) Women are treated unfairly 
C) Women are denied a certain amount of autonomy over their lives 
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Larry May argues that sexual discrimination is wrong because it degrades women, treats them unfairly, and denies them a certain amount of autonomy over their lives. Therefore, all three options (A, B, and C) are correct, making choice D the best option.

Question 17

In "Affirmative Action Goals in Hiring and Promotion" Tom L. Beauchamp believes that preferential selection policies need to be permanently instantiated in order to compensate for past injustices.

Accepted Answer

Tom L. Beauchamp argues that preferential selection policies should be temporary measures aimed at correcting imbalances or injustices, not permanent solutions.

Question 18

In "Diversity", George Sher argues that forward-looking justifications of affirmative action avoid the difficulties inherent in backward-looking justifications which believe that affirmative action is justified as retribution for past injustices.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In "Diversity", George Sher argues that forward-looking...

Question 19

Affirmative Action policies can legally only apply to racial and ethnic minorities.

Accepted Answer

Affirmative Action policies can legally apply to any group that has faced discrimination, including women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, in addition to racial and ethnic minorities.

Question 20

In "Diversity", Sher argues that under a justice model of diversity, a lack of racial, sexual, and ethnic diversity is problematic because it shows that opportunities remain unequal.

Accepted Answer

Sher argues that a lack of diversity under a justice model indicates unequal opportunities and is therefore problematic.

Quiz 4: Diversity, Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace