HSE4M Test Review: Power, Justice, and Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, definitions, and memory tricks from the HSE4M Test Review on Power, Justice, and Systems.

Equality

Giving everyone the same resources, opportunities, or treatment (Memory trick: EQUALITY = SAME).

Equity

Giving people different resources or support based on their needs so they have a fair chance to reach the same outcome (Memory trick: EQUITY = NEED).

The Meritocracy Myth

The belief that people succeed or fail only because of their individual hard work, talent, and choices, which ignores social barriers and different starting conditions (Memory trick: MERITOCRACY = "JUST WORK HARD").

Systemic Barrier

A rule, policy, practice, or system that makes it harder for certain groups to access opportunities or services, even if the rule appears neutral (Memory trick: SYSTEMIC BARRIER = SYSTEM GETS IN THE WAY).

Marginalization

When individuals or groups are pushed to the edges of society and have less access to power, resources, or opportunities.

Symbolic Annihilation

When certain groups are underrepresented, misrepresented, or completely left out of media and other institutions (Memory trick: SYMBOLIC ANNIHILATION = GROUP IS MISSING).

Status Quo

The existing way things are in society (Memory trick: STATUS QUO = WAY THINGS ARE).

Invisible Status Quo

When existing social systems and advantages seem normal or natural, so people do not question them, making inequality difficult to notice.

Institutional Justification

When institutions use language or explanations (such as "fairness", "consistency", "tradition", "rules", "merit", or "efficiency") to make existing systems or practices seem fair, reasonable, or necessary.

Metacognition

Thinking about your own thinking and learning, which involves reflecting on what you understand, how you learned, and how your thinking has changed (Memory trick: METACOGNITION = THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING).