Question 1

Why might wage discrimination and earnings discrimination not be interchangeable?

Accepted Answer

Wage discrimination refers to unequal pay for equal work, while earnings discrimination refers to overall unequal earnings due to various factors such as hours worked, occupational segregation, and discrimination in promotions or opportunities for advancement. Therefore, earnings can be influenced by factors other than wage discrimination, such as differences in hours worked, which explains why the two concepts are not interchangeable.

Question 2

Recent studies suggest that may _______ be responsible for the observed wage gap between men and women.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

The relative _______ and_______ of Blacks and Whites add credence to the selective withdrawal hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The selective withdrawal hypothesis suggests that Blacks are more likely to drop out of the labor force due to discrimination or lack of opportunities. The fact that the employment-to-population ratios and unemployment rates are lower for Blacks compared to Whites supports this hypothesis. Option A is not as relevant as educational attainment is not directly related to labor force participation. Option B and E are not mentioned in the context. Option C might be relevant, but it does not present a clear contrast between Blacks and Whites.

Question 4

_______ occurs because we can only collect wage data for workers who choose to work.

Accepted Answer

Self-selection bias occurs because the data we have on wages only reflects the choices of individuals who have chosen to work. This can lead to biases in our understanding of wages, as those who choose to work may differ from those who choose not to work in important ways that affect their wages.

Question 5

The contemporaneous nature of the implementation of policies designed to combat discrimination in the workplace and the narrowing of the observed earnings gaps between men and women does not imply causality because:

Accepted Answer

The narrowing of the observed earnings gaps between men and women cannot be solely attributed to the implementation of policies designed to combat discrimination in the workplace, as many other factors could have influenced this change. It is impossible to establish a causal relationship without ruling out other contributing factors. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 6

Recent studies have focused on rather than as an explanation for differential outcomes of Black and White workers.

Accepted Answer

Systematic differences in school quality and human capital accrued within the family are premarket factors that can contribute to differential outcomes between Black and White workers.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT true of the Duncan index of dissimilarity,D?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT true...

Question 8

Until the mid-1950s,_______ led to the separation of Blacks and Whites in much of the South and _______ hindered women's progress toward parity with men.

Accepted Answer

The Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation, were prevalent in the South until the mid-1950s, leading to the separation of Blacks and Whites. On the other hand, protective legislation hindered women's progress toward parity with men by legally enforcing gender-based discrimination in the workplace, making it the best choice. The other options are not accurate as they do not reflect the historical reality of the era.

Question 9

Affirmative action was established under _______.

Accepted Answer

Affirmative action was established under Executive Order 11246 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The order requires federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that individuals are employed and treated during employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Question 10

Today,the median full-time weekly earnings of women relative to men is about:

Accepted Answer

According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for women who work full-time is about 80% of median weekly earnings for men who work full-time. This suggests that there is still a significant gender wage gap in the United States.

Question 11

The ratios of full-time earnings of Black men and women relative to White men have increased sharply over the past _______years.Some economists have suggested that this improvement stems from,among other reasons,_______.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions "sharp" increase in the ratios of full-time earnings of Black men and women relative to White men, which suggests a relatively recent time frame. Option C mentions the tight labor market of the 1960s, which is a likely reason for this improvement as it led to increased demand for labor and reduced discrimination in hiring practices. The other options are unlikely as they either mention impractical time frames (A, B, and E) or do not provide a plausible explanation (D).

Question 12

The _______ sought to ensure equal pay for equal work.

Accepted Answer

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was specifically designed to combat gender-based pay discrimination by requiring that men and women be given equal pay for equal work in the same establishment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, but it did not specifically address pay discrimination. Executive Order 11246, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, did require federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin, but it did not specifically address pay discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 strengthened existing civil rights laws, but it did not introduce any new provisions related to pay discrimination. The Equal Rights Act of 1991 was proposed but never passed by Congress.

Question 13

Some economists argue that selective withdrawal has caused:

Accepted Answer

Selective withdrawal refers to the phenomenon where certain groups of individuals who are discouraged by low wages or poor job prospects, withdraw from the labor market. In the case of Black men during the 1960s and 1970s, many of them faced discrimination in the labor market and were unable to find good jobs. As a result, some of them may have chosen to withdraw from the labor market. This selective withdrawal caused an increase in the observed average relative wages of those Black men who remained employed, as the ones who stayed in the labor market were more likely to have better job prospects and higher wages. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT true of the Oaxaca transformation?

Accepted Answer

The observed wage gap of the Oaxaca transformation is NOT equivalent to the productivity differences between the majority and minority groups. The observed wage gap is decomposed into the part that is explained by differences in productivity and the part that is due to discrimination.

Question 15

_______ prohibits sexual discrimination in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sexual discrimination in the workplace. The other acts listed address other forms of discrimination or focus on specific issues such as equal pay or executive hiring practices.

Question 16

Affirmative action _______ appear to be successful in achieving its intended goal of increasing the employment of _______.

Accepted Answer

Affirmative action has been successful in increasing the employment of minorities and women, as its intended goal was to promote equal opportunities and eliminate discrimination based on gender or race. Studies have shown that affirmative action has significantly increased the representation of women and minorities in various fields, such as education, politics, and corporate leadership. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Quiz 12: Discrimination Ii: Evidence and Policy