Chapter 9 - Race and Ethnic Relations Flashcards
(48 cards)
Race as a reality
- racial differences become important because people believe them to be
- assigning people to racial groups has social significance and people attach meaning to them
- sociologists were concerned with how people react to physical characteristics and the impact the reactions have on individuals
Race
A category of people who share observable physical characteristics and whom others see as being a distinct group
Ethnicity
The set of cultural characteristics that distinguishes one group from another group
Ethnic group
People who share a common cultural background and a common sense of identity
- ethnic groups must pass cultural beliefs and practices from generations to generation
- ethnic identity can cross racial or national boundaries
What is ethnicity based on?
National origin, religion, language, customs and values
What is the difference between ethnicity and race?
Ethnicity is based on cultural traits, while race is based on physical traits
Minority group
A group of people who–because of their physical characteristics or cultural practices–are singled out and treated unequally
- the term has nothing to do with group size, but with unequal standing in society in relation to a dominant group
Race as a myth
- many people think that humankind can be sorted into biologically distinct groups called RACES
- no such thing as a “pure” example of different races and each person can only belong to one race (based on skin color, hair texture, physical characteristics)
- however, we all belong to human race
- there are greater differences within racial groups than between racial groups
Dominant group
Group that possesses the ability to discriminate by virtue of its greater power and social status in a society
What is the dominant group in America?
White people with Northern European ancestry
Characteristics that distinguish minority groups
- possess physical or cultural characteristics that differ from the dominant group
- recipients of unequal treatment at the hands of the dominant group
- member in the group is an ascribed status
- share a strong bond and sense of group loyalty
- tend to practice endogamy
- patterns of inter group relations
Discrimination
The denial of equal treatment to individuals based on their group membership
- can occur on an individual or social level
Legal discrimination
Upheld by law
Institutionalized discrimination
Outgrowth of the structure of a society
Prejudice
An unsupported generalization about a category of people
Stereotype
Over simplified, exaggerated, or unfavorable generalization about a group
Self-fulfilling prophecy
A prediction resulting in behavior that fulfillsthe prophecy
Racism
The belief that ones own race is superior
Robert K. Merton
Argued that prejudice and discrimination are related, but do not always go hand-in-hand
- people combine them in four ways
- – active bigot
- – the timid bigot
- – the fair weather liberal
- – the all weather liberal
The active bigot
Is prejudiced and openly discriminatory
Timid bigot
Is prejudiced, but afraid to discriminate because of societal pressures
The fair-weather liberal
Not prejudiced but discriminates anyway because of societal pressure
The all-weather liberal
Not prejudiced and does not discriminate
How do sociologists explain discrimination and prejudiced?
They are embedded in social norms
