Sociology Chapter 5: Social Inequalities and Health

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What is a dominant group in sociological terms?

A group with the most cultural diversity

A group with the most representation in the military

A group that controls wealth and political power (correct)

A numerically larger group

What is a common experience of minority groups?

Social inclusion

Social exclusion (correct)

Equal access to education

Economic empowerment

What is a stereotype?

A form of institutional discrimination

An inflexible image of a racial or cultural group (correct)

A characteristic of a dominant group

A flexible image of a racial or cultural group

What is prejudice?

A attitude that prejudges a person based on stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination?

Actual unfair treatment of people based on their group membership Signup and view all the answers

What is institutional discrimination?

The systematic exclusion of people from equal access to and participation in a particular institution due to their race, religion or ethnicity Signup and view all the answers

What is race, in sociological terms?

A person's biological characteristics such as skin color Signup and view all the answers

What is a key point about the concept of race?

It is a socially constructed phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What was the real intention behind the research that involved 400 poor black men?

To study the development of a disease Signup and view all the answers

What is race, according to the content?

A socially ascribed characteristic Signup and view all the answers

What is a major factor contributing to the health disparities faced by Aborigines in Australia?

Medical deprivation due to lack of economic resources Signup and view all the answers

Why are doctors less likely to work in remote areas in Australia?

Due to lack of economic incentives Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of racial bias in drug trials?

Systematic exclusion of racial groups from clinical trials Signup and view all the answers

What is a health disparity faced by Aborigines in Australia?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a social variable that contributes to health disparities faced by Aborigines in Australia?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of not accounting for racial elements in medicine and drug trials?

Attempts to cure individuals of a particular race are not well made Signup and view all the answers

What makes it challenging to classify people into specific races?

Variations within a defined race Signup and view all the answers

What is the biological meaning of race?

An inbreeding population that develops distinctive physical characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Why is it impossible to identify a 'pure' race?

Human groups have exchanged their genes through mating Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of racism, according to the text?

The belief that an observable trait is a mark of inferiority Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of racism, according to the text?

Enduring prejudices, discrimination, and economic exploitation Signup and view all the answers

What is a way that 'racial' groups cope with racism?

By developing their own subcultures and a strong sense of themselves Signup and view all the answers

How has medically legitimated knowledge been used in the context of racism?

To justify unequal treatment and subjugate certain groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of race in societies around the world?

It is not a biologically meaningful concept but is significant in society Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A dominant group is not necessarily numerically larger, but exercises control over wealth, political power, and institutions.
Minority groups are singled out for differential or unequal treatment, leading to social exclusion and denial of full participation in society.
Stereotypes are inflexible images of racial or cultural groups, while prejudice is an attitude that prejudges individuals based on group membership.
Discrimination refers to unfair treatment based on group membership, and institutional discrimination involves the systematic exclusion of people from equal access to institutions.

Race is a socially constructed concept based on biological characteristics such as skin color, but it is problematic due to variations within racial categories and the arbitrary nature of classification.
The biological meaning of race refers to an inbreeding population with distinctive physical characteristics, but human gene exchange makes it impossible to identify a "pure" race.
Racism is an ideology that justifies discriminatory treatment based on supposedly inherited traits, and is rooted in beliefs of biological superiority and inferiority.

Racism and Health

Racism leads to enduring prejudices, discrimination, and economic exploitation, resulting in inequality and injustice.
Medically legitimated knowledge has been used to subjugate racial minorities and justify their unequal status, as seen in the Tuskegee syphilis study.
Recent developments acknowledge that race is a socially ascribed characteristic, not a biological one, and that it undermines the risk of other variables such as gender, social class, etc.

Aboriginal Health Disparities

Aboriginal Australians have a 15-year shorter life expectancy, higher fetal and infant death rates, and more infectious and parasitic diseases.
Causes of these disparities include medical deprivation, lack of economic resources, and exposure to environmental hazards and occupational injury.

Racial Bias in Drug Trials

Racial groups are systematically excluded from clinical trials, leading to inadequate representation in medical research.
Historical examples, such as the Rockefeller foundation's research, demonstrate the racist motivations behind medical studies.
The lack of racial representation in drug trials undermines the effectiveness of medical treatment for racial minorities.

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This quiz covers social inequalities and health, focusing on race, ethnicity, class, gender, and age. Understand the concepts of dominant groups and minority groups in sociology.

Sociology Chapter 5: Social Inequalities and Health

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Questions and Answers

What is a dominant group in sociological terms?