Which concept describes accepting dominant explanations that conceal structural causes?

• A. The Myth of Meritocracy
• B. False Consciousness
• C. Class Consciousness
• D. Alienation

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how ideology can normalize inequality by presenting a simple, dominant explanation for why people succeed or fail. The Myth of Meritocracy describes the belief that outcomes come strictly from individual merit and effort, a narrative that hides the real structural factors shaping opportunities—things like class background, access to quality schooling, discrimination, and social networks. By framing success as a fair result of personal effort, this myth legitimizes the existing system and encourages people to accept inequality as natural or deserved rather than the product of social structure. This makes it the best fit for describing accepting explanations that conceal structural causes, because it names the specific, widely held story that masks how society is organized.

False consciousness also involves distorted understanding of social reality, but the term Myth of Meritocracy captures the particular, widely endorsed explanation that justifies inequality by merit, which is what the question emphasizes. Class consciousness would imply awareness of shared interests and systemic change, not acceptance of a legitimating myth. Alienation focuses on estrangement from work or society and doesn’t address the acceptance of a masking explanation.