Question 1

According to the study materials, which of the following best defines 'prejudice'?

Accepted Answer

Pre-judging someone or something before having the facts, often involving irrational attitudes and resistance to rational influence.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the three levels at which prejudice occurs?

Accepted Answer

Physiological

Question 3

What is the primary function of 'stereotyping' as described in the materials?

Accepted Answer

To help individuals cope with stimulus overload by grouping information into manageable chunks.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of an 'ethnophaulism'?

Accepted Answer

A derogatory word or expression used to describe a racial or ethnic group.

Question 5

According to the materials, what is the relationship between prejudice and discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Prejudice is a leading indicator that discrimination may occur, but not all prejudice leads to discrimination.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes 'institutional discrimination'?

Accepted Answer

Unequal treatment of subordinate groups in the ongoing operations of a society's social institutions, often unconsciously.

Question 7

What is 'displaced aggression' as it relates to prejudice and discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Aggression directed toward a powerless group to shore up feelings of insecurity and lessen fear within oneself.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a trait of a typical scapegoat group?

Accepted Answer

Group is powerful enough to strike back against discrimination.

Question 9

According to Talcott Parsons and the structural functionalist view, why might minority groups become necessary outlets for social survival?

Accepted Answer

Because competition, scarce resources, and frustrations of modern society create a need for people to take out frustrations on less powerful groups.

Question 10

Which of the following is a key idea of the symbolic interactionist view on prejudice and discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Ideas of prejudice and discrimination are passed down from generation to generation as children are socialized into the culture where they live.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an agent of socialization mentioned in the materials?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Question 12

What is the main goal of diversity training in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

To encourage positive group interaction and educate workers about differences in and among people groups.

Question 13

Which of the following is a disadvantage of diversity training, according to the materials?

Accepted Answer

Lower productivity and higher attrition rates.

Question 14

According to Merton's Typology, which category describes a person who is not prejudiced but still discriminates?

Accepted Answer

Unprejudiced discriminator

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of passive discrimination?

Accepted Answer

A policy unintentionally disadvantages a group, even though it was not the intent of the policymakers.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the six levels of discrimination described in the materials?

Accepted Answer

Economic empowerment

Question 17

Which of the following is a requirement for the Intergroup Contact Theory to work effectively?

Accepted Answer

Group members must have equal status in the situation.

Question 18

Which of the following is a danger of ethnophaulisms?

Accepted Answer

They set up an 'us' against 'them' mentality in society.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the main argument of opponents to affirmative action?

Accepted Answer

Affirmative action draws minorities into environments where they are not ready to compete with more advantaged groups.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of institutional discrimination?

Accepted Answer

A company policy that unintentionally results in fewer promotions for women, even though the policy is not explicitly discriminatory.

Prejudice and Discrimination: Sociological Perspectives and Applications

Study Guide - Practice Questions