Question 1

Frank is a police officer who overheard two other officers talking.They were discussing their belief that Hispanics are more likely to be criminal.Because of this belief they routinely pull over people who appear to be Hispanic more than any other racial group.Which form of discrimination is this?

Accepted Answer

The discrimination described is racism, as it involves targeting and treating people differently based on their race or ethnicity.

Question 2

Which type of discrimination is challenged by the fight to legalize same-sex marriage and provide a gender-neutral marriage definition in human rights legislation?

Accepted Answer

Heterosexism refers to discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization against individuals who do not identify as heterosexual. Legalizing same-sex marriage and providing a gender-neutral marriage definition challenges this discrimination and promotes equal rights for individuals regardless of their sexual orientation.

Question 3

Vincenzo believes that his Italian culture is superior to every other culture and uses it as a standard by which he evaluates all other cultures. What term best characterizes Vincenzo's belief?

Accepted Answer

Vincenzo's belief is an example of ethnocentrism, which means evaluating other cultures according to the standards and values of one's own culture, and regarding one's own culture as superior to others.

Question 4

Residential schools were schools designed to impose Euro-Canadian culture and religion on Indigenous children.Which face of oppression did these schools embody?

Accepted Answer

Residential schools were a form of cultural imperialism, imposed upon Indigenous children with the intention of removing their cultural identity and forcing them to assimilate into Euro-Canadian culture and religion. The children were often punished for speaking their own languages or practicing their own traditions, leading to the loss of important cultural practices and traditions. This form of oppression continues to have lasting impacts on Indigenous communities today.

Question 5

Scott Thomas was being reviewed for a promotion at his sales agency.His manager told him "off the record" that the committee was hesitant to promote him because he had experienced depression the year before and they worried he might not be able to handle the stress of the new position.Which form of discrimination is this?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of ableism, where Scott Thomas's past experience with depression is being used as a basis for discrimination, assuming that he might not be able to handle the stress of the new position. It is important to recognize that mental health challenges do not necessarily correlate with one's ability to perform their job duties.

Question 6

Ms.Strada has a Japanese student in her science class.She thinks that the Japanese student will get the highest grade because she believes that all Japanese people are very smart.Which term best characterizes Ms.Strada's belief?

Accepted Answer

Ms.Strada is making a generalization about Japanese people based on a stereotype, assuming that all of them are very smart. This stereotype may not be accurate or fair and can lead to discrimination against those who do not fit into this stereotype.

Question 7

When a large corporation employs workers in a foreign country, it asks the employees to work long hours, in unsafe working conditions, for minimal pay.Which face of oppression is characterized by this situation?

Accepted Answer

This situation is characterized by exploitation because the corporation is taking advantage of the workers by making them work in unsafe conditions for minimal pay.

Question 8

Heterosexism is the belief in the natural superiority of heterosexuality as a way of life, and therefore, its logical right to dominance.What is this form of oppression an example of?

Accepted Answer

Cultural imperialism involves the dominance of one culture over others, often leading to the marginalization of other cultural practices and beliefs, similar to how heterosexism promotes heterosexuality as superior.

Question 9

Your Aunt Muriel believes that all people from Canada live in igloos and ice fish on a regular basis.What term do sociologists use to describe these overgeneralizations?

Accepted Answer

Stereotype refers to overgeneralizations or simplifications of a group of people based on certain characteristics such as nationality or ethnicity. In this case, Aunt Muriel's assumption that all Canadians live in igloos and ice fish is a stereotype.

Question 10

A convenience store near a school has hung a sign on their store window that reads "Only 3 students at a time in the store" in an attempt to decrease theft.What type of discrimination is this?

Accepted Answer

The discrimination in this scenario is based on age, as the rule only applies to students (presumably of a certain age range) and not to all customers.

Question 11

The house next door to the Hennigar family is for sale.Mr.Hennigar tells his wife that he hopes the house is not sold to any French people because he does not like French people.Which term best characterizes Mr.Hennigar's belief?

Accepted Answer

Mr. Hennigar's belief is an example of prejudice, which is a negative attitude or belief towards a particular group based on stereotypes or preconceived notions.

Question 12

Which statement illustrates one example of prejudice?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Women should stay at home and take care of their children" demonstrates prejudice because it suggests that all women should conform to a traditional gender role without considering individual preferences or abilities. It implies that women are only capable of taking care of their children and should not pursue careers or other interests outside of the home. This statement is not reflective of the diversity of experiences and choices that women can make in their lives.

Question 13

Which face of oppression is experienced when a subordinate group in society is described as living in a "culture of silence" or they come to believe that they deserve the unfair treatment they are receiving from the dominant group?

Accepted Answer

The experience of living in a "culture of silence" and accepting unfair treatment suggests that the subordinate group lacks agency and is powerless in their situation. This is a characteristic of the face of oppression known as powerlessness. Marginalization refers to exclusion from full participation in society, exploitation involves the extraction of labor or resources for the benefit of the dominant group, and cultural imperialism refers to the imposition of one culture onto another. While these faces of oppression may also be present in situations of cultural silencing or self-blaming, they are not as directly related to the experience of powerlessness.

Question 14

Miriam overheard two people discussing how one of them had just assisted someone with Down syndrome.The first person commented that he made sure to repeat himself several time because the woman was "retarded" and he wanted to make sure she understood him.Which type of discrimination is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

The use of the term "retarded" and the assumption that this person with Down syndrome would not understand unless spoken to repeatedly are both examples of ableism, which is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities.

Question 15

A company manages a mixed-income residential building in which more than 50% of the tenants are designated as rent-stabilized.The company announced last week that access to the building's new fitness centre would be limited to market-rate tenants only.What type of discrimination is the segregation of lower-income tenants an example of?

Accepted Answer

The segregation of lower-income tenants in this case is an example of classism, which is discrimination based on socio-economic status.

Question 16

Sandra Moore, a 5'10", 190 pound female, applied to be a fitness instructor at the neighbourhood fitness centre.Her application was denied, and she was told that all employees of the fitness centre must appear fitter and leaner than the average person.Which form of discrimination is this?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of sizeism, also known as weight discrimination, as the fitness centre is denying Sandra Moore employment based solely on her weight and appearance.

Question 17

Which statement best describes someone holding racial prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Racial prejudice involves holding negative beliefs or attitudes about a racial group, such as believing that a certain racial group is innately inferior.

Question 18

Janet worked at a local pub and was the only female bartender.Her manager told her to ask one of her male co-workers to change the kegs of beer when necessary, as they were "too heavy for a woman to lift." Which form of discrimination is this?

Accepted Answer

The manager's statement is based on the assumption that women are not physically capable of performing certain tasks, which is a form of sexism.

Question 19

Josh and Kierra travel all throughout Australia and come home disappointed. Upon reflection, no matter where they went, nothing compared to their home in Greece; the people, food, and even the architecture just wasn't as beautiful. What sociological behaviour are Josh and Kierra exhibiting?

Accepted Answer

Josh and Kierra are exhibiting ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture, norms, and values are superior to others. They are judging other cultures based on their own cultural standards and finding them lacking.

Question 20

After "liking" a picture from a gay pride parade on Facebook, John started to receive hurtful text messages from friends accusing him of being gay.Then all of his soccer teammates refused to be in the locker room with him at the same time.Which term refers to this type of discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Heterosexism refers to discrimination or prejudice against individuals who identify as LGBT+ or who are perceived to be LGBT+. In this scenario, John is being discriminated against because his friends assume that he is gay and are using hurtful language against him. His soccer teammates are also showing discrimination by refusing to be in the locker room with him.

Quiz 2: Forms of Oppression