Question 1

In the 1920s, Professor Sandiford administered IQ tests. What recommendation did he make based on his results?
A) Canada's education system should especially serve the "forgotten" gifted learners.
B) Certain racial groups had inferior intelligence and therefore should be streamed into vocational training.
C) Canada's education system should favour the advancement of science and technology, and leave literature and the "softer" subjects in the elementary schools.
D) Canada must adopt selective immigration to keep Canada safe from misfits and defectives.

Accepted Answer

Sandiford recommended that Canada's education system should pay special attention to gifted learners, who he felt were being overlooked or "forgotten" in the general push towards education for all.

Question 2

During World War II, the Canadian government relocated, interned, and confiscated the assets of all Japanese Canadians who lived anywhere near the British Columbia coast, blaming them for attacks on Pearl Harbor to the south. What were the Japanese Canadians in this situation?
A) traitors
B) scapegoats
C) immigrants
D) racialized exemplars

Accepted Answer

The Japanese Canadians in this situation were scapegoats, unfairly blamed for the actions of Japan simply because of their ethnic background. The actions taken against them, including internment and asset seizures, were not based on individual actions or evidence of wrongdoing, but instead on their racial identity.

Question 3

At various points in history, people of Irish, Jewish, and southern Italian descent were referred to as "black." What does this demonstrate?
A) that racial distinctions are social constructs
B) that racial distinctions are not arbitrary
C) that race as a concept has no social significance
D) that racial distinctions are tied to ethnic categories

Accepted Answer

The fact that people of different ethnic backgrounds have been referred to as "black" at different points in history shows that racial distinctions are socially constructed and not based on any inherent biological traits. This highlights the fluidity and arbitrariness of race as a concept, and the ways in which it can change over time and across different cultural contexts.

Question 4

Why is it extremely difficult to distinguish groups on the basis of so-called race?
A) There is only one global genetic individual.
B) Genetic differences are now too plentiful to count.
C) Social conditions have become similar for everyone.
D) A high degree of intermixing has taken place.

Accepted Answer

A high degree of intermixing has taken place, making it difficult to distinguish groups based on race. Due to migration and intermarriage, genetic variation within racial groups is now greater than the variation between racial groups. Therefore, there is no clear genetic basis for defining race.

Question 5

According to the textbook, why are Koreans in Japan more likely than Koreans in Canada to pursue careers in sports?
A) because multicultural societies like Canada provide more competition in the realm of sports
B) because the Koreans who choose to immigrate to Canada have different career motivations that those who choose to remain in Japan
C) because they have more opportunities in all professional areas in Japan
D) because they experience less prejudice and discrimination in Canada

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the textbook, why are Koreans...

Question 6

Which of the following terms does Tiger Woods use to identify his mixed ancestry?
A) mixed Caucasian
B) Afro-Cuban
C) Thai-Afro-Caucasian
D) Cablinasian

Accepted Answer

Tiger Woods coined the term "Cablinasian" to represent his mixed racial and ethnic heritage of Caucasian, Black, American Indian, and Asian (specifically Thai).

Question 7

Robert hates competing in the math competition at school when there are a lot of Asian competitors because he believes they are innately much better at math. What does Robert's attitude illustrate?
A) prejudice
B) discrimination
C) scapegoating
D) authoritarianism

Accepted Answer

Robert's belief that Asians are innately better at math is a prejudiced attitude. He is making a blanket assumption about an entire group of people based on their race. This type of prejudiced thinking can lead to discrimination and unfair treatment of individuals based solely on their race.

Question 8

Based on the example of Professor Peter Sandiford, which of the following characterizes the position of many people whose views are contradicted by available evidence?
A) They use science to replicate the research to see where they made their mistake.
B) They ignore or explain away conclusions that challenge their beliefs.
C) They seek out competing explanations to try to arrive at an explanation "in the middle."
D) They change their beliefs to incorporate the new knowledge.

Accepted Answer

People who ignore or explain away evidence that contradicts their beliefs are often in a state of cognitive dissonance. They may feel uncomfortable or threatened by information that challenges their worldview, and so they may engage in motivated reasoning to discount the evidence or find alternative explanations that support their beliefs. This is what Professor Sandiford did when he dismissed the evidence of the researchers who disagreed with his theory about climate change.

Question 9

Antoine, a 15 year-old-black youth growing up in Toronto, has shown great ability as an athlete, excelling in hockey and in basketball. He has also shown great promise in his academic pursuits, and has to choose between two different summer camps: one is a sports camp for gifted athletes and the other is a science camp for gifted students. Which of the following statements provides Antoine with the most relevant information to keep in mind in deciding between the camps?
A) The chances of achieving upward mobility for people from racialized minorities are NOT greater through academic excellence than through professional sport.
B) There is less racism in professional sports than there is in science.
C) The chances of achieving upward mobility are greater for everyone through academic excellence than through professional sport.
D) Professional hockey players make more money than scientists.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Antoine, a 15 year-old-black youth growing up...

Question 10

Jillian walks into the cafeteria as her friend Peter is telling a racist joke. What does Peter's behaviour illustrate?
A) prejudice
B) discrimination
C) scapegoating
D) authoritarianism

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jillian walks into the cafeteria as her...

Question 11

According to research, which of the following environments has a big impact on IQ and other standardized test scores?
A) physical environment
B) social environment
C) national environment
D) pastoral environment

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that social environment, including factors such as parental education and socioeconomic status, has a significant impact on IQ and other standardized test scores. Factors such as access to resources, support systems, and educational opportunities can all contribute to differences in test performance. While physical and national environments may also play a role, the social environment has been found to have a particularly strong influence. Pastoral environment, which refers to rural or agricultural settings, is not a commonly studied factor in relation to IQ and standardized test scores.

Question 12

Which of the following has the biggest influence on IQ scores?
A) social setting
B) definition of the situation
C) badly flawed research
D) symbolic interactionism

Accepted Answer

Social setting, including access to educational resources and socioeconomic status, has been shown to have a significant impact on IQ scores. Research has consistently found that individuals from higher socio-economic backgrounds tend to have higher IQ scores.

Question 13

According to the text definition, which of the following terms is used to describe an arbitrary social construct used to distinguish people in terms of one or more physical markers?
A) prejudice
B) stereotype
C) racism
D) race

Accepted Answer

Race is a social construct used to distinguish people in terms of one or more physical markers such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features.

Question 14

What is the effect of promoting athletes predominantly as suitable role models for black youth?
A) It gives true hope to the underprivileged.
B) It removes the stigma from successful people of colour.
C) It deflects black youths' efforts away from academic endeavours.
D) It deflects attention from public issues, like poverty and racism.

Accepted Answer

By promoting athletes predominantly as suitable role models for black youth, the message being sent is that success can only be achieved through sports, rather than through academic or other pursuits. This can potentially deflect black youths' efforts away from academic endeavours and towards sports, which may not be the best long-term career path for many.

Question 15

According to the text, why do sociologists believe that "race matters"?
A) because it allows social inequality to be created and maintained
B) because it is a good way to organize social experiences
C) because people have an innate need to see differences
D) because it has been proven to indicate significant genetic differences among people

Accepted Answer

The text states that sociologists believe race matters because it allows social inequality to be created and maintained.

Question 16

Janet, a white woman, is walking down the street by her house and notices a large dark-skinned man walking toward her on the sidewalk. Frightened, she swiftly crosses the road away from him. What does Janet's behaviour illustrate?
A) prejudice
B) discrimination
C) scapegoating
D) authoritarianism

Accepted Answer

The answer of Janet, a white woman, is walking down...

Question 17

What happened as the Jewish population experienced upward mobility?
A) Their IQ scores rose.
B) IQ scores were no longer used.
C) Aptitude tests replaced IQ scores.
D) Their IQs were less often measured.

Accepted Answer

As the Jewish population experienced upward mobility, their IQ scores rose, reflecting the impact of environmental factors such as education and socioeconomic status on IQ test performance.

Question 18

What does the example of Tiger Woods demonstrate about identifying oneself as "black," "white," "Asian," and so forth?
A) Racial identification is a matter of personal choice.
B) Racial identification is actually simple to determine with the correct scientific tools.
C) Racial identification is seldom clear-cut.
D) Racial identification is based on expensive genetic testing.

Accepted Answer

Tiger Woods is a complex case when it comes to racial identification, as he is of mixed heritage including African American, Asian, and Caucasian. This demonstrates that racial identification is often not clear-cut and can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as familial and cultural influences.

Question 19

What conclusion does the textbook reach regarding "race"?
A) that "race" does not matter
B) that "race" is meaningless because racial differences in thought and behaviour do not exist
C) that "race" is significant because people believe it is and they act toward others on the basis of their beliefs
D) that "race" is the most important factor responsible for people's position in the stratification system

Accepted Answer

The textbook concludes that "race" is significant because people believe it is and they act toward others on the basis of their beliefs. While acknowledging that there are no biologically determined racial differences in thought and behaviour, the text argues that racism and racial discrimination can still have very real and harmful effects on individuals and societies.

Question 20

According to sociological research, which of the following factors has the greatest influence on athleticism?
A) social conditions
B) motivation
C) biology
D) race

Accepted Answer

Social conditions have the greatest influence on athleticism because they encompass access to resources, opportunities for practice and training, cultural values surrounding sports, and support systems, all of which significantly impact an individual's ability to develop athletic skills.

Quiz 7: Race and Ethnicity

In the 1920s, Professor Sandiford administered IQ tests. What recommendation did he make based on his results?

During World War II, the Canadian government relocated, interned, and confiscated the assets of all Japanese Canadians who lived anywhere near the British Columbia coast, blaming them for attacks on Pearl Harbor to the south. What were the Japanese Canadians in this situation?

At various points in history, people of Irish, Jewish, and southern Italian descent were referred to as "black." What does this demonstrate?

Why is it extremely difficult to distinguish groups on the basis of so-called race?

According to the textbook, why are Koreans in Japan more likely than Koreans in Canada to pursue careers in sports?

Which of the following terms does Tiger Woods use to identify his mixed ancestry?

Robert hates competing in the math competition at school when there are a lot of Asian competitors because he believes they are innately much better at math. What does Robert's attitude illustrate?

Based on the example of Professor Peter Sandiford, which of the following characterizes the position of many people whose views are contradicted by available evidence?

Jillian walks into the cafeteria as her friend Peter is telling a racist joke. What does Peter's behaviour illustrate?

According to research, which of the following environments has a big impact on IQ and other standardized test scores?

Which of the following has the biggest influence on IQ scores?

According to the text definition, which of the following terms is used to describe an arbitrary social construct used to distinguish people in terms of one or more physical markers?

What is the effect of promoting athletes predominantly as suitable role models for black youth?

According to the text, why do sociologists believe that "race matters"?

Janet, a white woman, is walking down the street by her house and notices a large dark-skinned man walking toward her on the sidewalk. Frightened, she swiftly crosses the road away from him. What does Janet's behaviour illustrate?

What happened as the Jewish population experienced upward mobility?

What does the example of Tiger Woods demonstrate about identifying oneself as "black," "white," "Asian," and so forth?

What conclusion does the textbook reach regarding "race"?

According to sociological research, which of the following factors has the greatest influence on athleticism?