ES2580: THE ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE - OUTLINE EXAM 1
What social and economic factors have enabled Asian Americans to attain higher levels of education than other minorities? Articulate the four socio-economic factors reviewed in class that contribute to the high levels of educational attainment of Asian Americans.
a. Selective immigration- A large proportion of Asians who have immigrated to the U.S. since 1965 have been highly educated b. Resources- Asian Americans tend to have greater wealth than other minorities c. Stereotypes and performance expectations d. Differences in educational values
What are two socio-economic explanations for why Asian Americans may value education more than other minorities?
a. Stereotypes and role models Because of stereotypes and readily available role models, Asian Americans are more likely to believe that they can succeed at school and that their educational efforts will be rewarded. b. Selective migration The Asian individuals and families who migrated to the U.S. may have stronger educational values
What are the primary goals of affirmative action?
• Diminish inequality in the workplace • Increase access in education • Promote diversity • Redress past wrongs
What are "whitewashing" and "colorism" in film and television casting?
"whitewashing" -the casting of whites in non-white roles Colorism - discrimination between members of the same race in which darker skinned individuals are treated less favorably than lighter skinned individuals
What are three arguments against affirmative action?
- "Reverse discrimination" or "Reverse racism" • Racial discrimination of any form is immoral regardless of its aims. Violates the principle that all people should be treated equally. • Alienates European Americans and creates the perception of unfairness • Undermines the ideal of a meritocracy - Stigmatization • Diminishes the achievements of minorities and women • Perpetuates doubt - Mismatch • Perpetuates stereotypes
Which racial groups are underrepresented in U.S. television programs and movies? In what sorts of roles are they underrepresented?
- Asian and Pacific Islanders are less likely to appear in television programs. - When they appear, they are less likely to have recurring (regular) roles. - When they do have recurring roles, they have substantially less screen time.
Describe some of the typical ways in which Asians and Asian Americans have been presented in the media and explain why these images may appeal to mainstream consumers.
- Feminine, submissive, docile, subservient, domestic - Manipulative, untrustworthy - the "Dragon Lady" - Romantic partners for European American leads - Exotic sex kittens - Technicians - Asexual, violent kung fu or karate artists - Asexual, violent, villains - Subservient wimps - Subordinates, sidekicks - Greedy shopkeepers - Technicians a. Audiences don't want to see Asian American leads. Easier for them to connect with and root for people who are perceived to be similar to themselves. b. One common theme that audiences are comfortable with and prefer: European Americans in charge and Asians as subordinates. • People are more comfortable and familiar with stereotypic images of Asian Americans (e.g., images of the Asian technician or shopkeeper) c. Themes & images that vicariously fulfill personal needs & wants: Pairings of Asian American women with European American males d. Positive outcomes for the persons and groups they favor: Often they're not rooting for Asians and Asian Americans
What are three arguments for affirmative action?
- Increases diversity in the workplace and education • Studies verify that affirmative action programs generally increase the employment of minorities and women, and increase the enrollment of minorities in higher education • Through greater success and attainment, negative stereotypes are broken. - Compensates for past and present-day discrimination, and helps to "level the playing field" - Heightens the influence and voice of minorities and women in companies and institutions. - Increases the availability of role models and mentors for minorities and women
What are some negative consequences of the model minority image and the exaggeration of the economic and educational success of Asian Americans?
- Masks the economic struggles of many Asian Americans - Diminishes the willingness to provide support and opportunity to disadvantaged Asian Americans - Misleading views about opportunity in society - Perpetuates negative stereotypes about other minorities - The success of Asian Americans is used to argue against programs such as affirmative action that benefit minorities
Why do many large companies have affirmative action programs?
- Seek diversity in their workforce. - To ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws. - They seek to do business with the government - Good public relations, particularly for consumer oriented companies
Discuss important factors that may contribute to the "glass ceiling" encountered by Asian Americans.
1. Simple discrimination - prejudice, negative stereotyping of Asian American leadership abilities 2. Communication skills 3. Cultural differences in leadership style 4. Unfamiliar corporate culture
Approximately how large is the Asian American population as a percentage of the total United States population?
5.8%
What is a hate crime? What was wrong with calling COVID-19 the "Chinese virus" or other labels that link the virus to China and Chinese people?
A crime, typically one involving violence, that is motivated by prejudice on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or other grounds. Race relations have been worsening for the last 10 years and Anti-Asian hate crimes have been increasing since 2010 Many people believe that labels such as the "Chinese Virus" have contributed to an increased blame on Asians and Asian Americans for the coronavirus and fueled anti-Asian sentiment and increased discrimination against Asian Americans
Why should Asian Americans be concerned about the unfavorable depiction of Asians (not just Asian Americans) that are common in movies and television today?
About 70% of television series regulars were white, 14% were black, 6% were latino. About 4.3% of television series regulars were a person of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage. • While Asian Americans are still significantly underrepresented, the numbers are coming up
What are the two forms of language discrimination that are commonly encountered by Asian Americans in the workplace (Fong, 2008, pages 135-140)?
Accent discrimination "English Only" rules
Are affirmative action programs required of all U.S. companies?
Affirmative action is required of federal contractors and employers Affirmative action is not required by federal law - Most companies, particularly small businesses with fewer than 100 employees, do not have affirmative action plans. - However, if a company is engaging in discriminatory employment practices, they may be subject to individual lawsuits and prosecuted for violations of civil rights laws.
What is affirmative action?
Affirmative action refers to programs or policies favoring members of disadvantaged groups who suffer or have suffered from discrimination within an institution or society.
What are two reasons why researchers consider race to be a social construct rather than a biological construct?
An imprecise concept There are no physical traits or genes that can be used to reliably distinguish conventional racial categories.- Tremendous overlap across racial groups in physical characteristics and behavior• While racial groupings are based, in part, on similarities in physical features, racial classifications are largely social constructs Race is a central basis for dividing societies into communities or groups that differ in terms of resources and power. Everywhere racial divisions are a cause of inequality and conflict
According to Fong (2008), what are four broad factors contributing to anti-Asian violence (see pages 163-177)? What evidence is there to suggest that strong anti-immigration sentiment exists in the U.S. (see Fong, 2008, pages 41-45)?
An increase in anti-immigrant sentiment economic competition between racial and ethic groups "mov in" violence poor police community relations
Approximately what proportion of Asian Americans are U.S. born vs. foreign born?
Around six-in-ten Asian Americans (57%), including 71% of Asian American adults, were born in another country.
Why are Asian Americans more divided on the issue of affirmative action than other minorities? Do most Asian Americans support affirmative action?
As the model minority, Asian Americans feel that they should be getting the spots or jobs because they have great credentials, but someone else will get it because they are of a different race/nationality and the school/organization needs more of that race/nationality to keep up with affirmative action. Most Asian Americans do support affirmative action.
Which racial group in the United States is growing the fastest?
Asian Americans
How do the performances of Blacks and Hispanics on tests of cognitive ability compare with those of Whites and Asians? How do these group differences in IQ test performance relate to group differences in educational attainment and economic success?
Asian Americans and European Americans may perform better on IQ tests because of differences in these social, economic, and cultural factors
What evidence was uncovered during the 1980s suggesting that college admission policies discriminated against Asian Americans? To what extent were the lower admission rates the result of Asian Americans applying to more competitive majors and lower participation in extracurricular activities? Are colleges and universities continuing to limit the enrollment of Asian American?
Asian Americans were being admitted at lower rates across all majors despite having credentials. Asian Americans were not more unlikely to join extracurricular activities. Colleges had to admit that they were wrong and that they were being biased
What is a confirmation bias? What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Confirmation bias is the tendency to judge or perceive events in a manner that is consistent with expectations. Self-fulfilling prophecy is instances where people act toward others in ways that causes their expectations for others to come true. "Behavioral confirmation"
What are three broad classes of explanations for the educational attainments of Asian Americans?
Cultural, socio-economical, and genetic.
How are equal opportunity laws different from affirmative action?
EEO is giving everyone the same opportunity to thrive, while affirmative action is actively supporting those who've been consistently deprived of fair and equal treatment.
Does affirmative action generally increase or decrease the enrollment of Asian Americans in our country's elite colleges and universities? How did the enrollment of Asian Americans, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans at University of California schools change following the passage of Proposition 209 which banned affirmative action?
In theory, it increases. However, when California put in Prop 209, the only group that was positively affected in enrollment numbers was Asian Americans. So in reality, affirmative action decreases the enrollment of Asian Americans.
How do ingroup perceptions differ from outgroup perceptions? That is, how do perceptions of groups that we belong to differ from perceptions of groups outside of our own?
Ingroup perception is talking about our perceptions about us and the people we're around most of the time. We're comfortable with our own people and we feel we can relate to our own people. Whereas with the outgroup, we see them sort of as "the others." We see them as different people that we can't relate to and we're not comfortable with them.
What is "institutional discrimination" and how does it differ from individual acts of discrimination? Is institutional discrimination always fueled by prejudice and negative stereotypes?
Institutional discrimination: established laws, customs, and practices which systematically reflect inequities in society. If discriminatory consequences accrue to institutional laws, customs, or practices, the institution is discriminatory whether or not the individuals maintaining those practices have prejudiced intentions.
What is wrong with the following headline that appeared as part of MSNBC's coverage of the 1998 winter Olympics: "American beats Kwan". According to your instructor, what are some of the negative consequences of the foreigner stereotype?
Kwan was American! A consequence of the foreigner stereotype is that we can make negative assumptions about others, like they can't speak English. Questioning of loyalties of Asian Americans Increases discrimination against Asian Americans Many Americans perceive that Asian Americans don't belong here and are not entitled to the same rights and freedoms as other Americans cIncreases the vulnerability felt by Asian Americans. Asian Americans are not distinguished from Asians. Consequently relations with Asia affect how Asian Americans are treated.
Why do stereotypes persevere over time? What is subtyping?
Many reasons for why stereotypes are resistant to change. Confirmation bias-Self-fulfilling prophecy- Subtyping: Creation of subcategories to accommodate exceptions to the general stereotype
What are some non-genetic factors that contribute to differences in IQ test performance between Asian Americans and European Americans, and Hispanic Americans and African Americans? What do these findings imply about the relation between race, genetics, and IQ test performance?
Non-genetic factors are cultural and socio-economic factors. There really is no relation between genetics and IQ performance.
In what ways is the educational success of Asian Americans limited?
Not all Asian American groups are excelling. Pressures to succeed from Asian American parents.Colleges were putting caps on the amount of certain racial groups could attend there school. The majority of Asian Americans were applying to STEM majors.
Why do most Japanese Americans speak English well?
Predominant period of entry of select racial and ethnic groups: Japanese, Chinese 1850-1900 They are usually native born. 3rd or 4th generation Japanese Americans
Is stereotyping and group prejudice universal across groups? Why are the stereotypes held by majority group members about minorities more consequential than the stereotypes held by minorities about majority group members?
Prejudice and stereotyping are universal but... a. Stereotypes of minorities are much more negative b. Stereotypes of minorities held by European Americans are far more consequential because they are the majority c. Minorities experience much more discrimination
Are racial quotas permitted in higher education admissions decisions? What is permitted?
Racial quotas are not permitted, but the consideration of race or sex in hiring decisions when there is severe underrepresentation is.
Evidence suggests that Asian Americans may value education more than other minorities. Why are cultural explanations for differences in educational values questionable?
Reasons to question whether culture is responsible: 1. Questionable to assume a common set of educational values and practices characterizing all Asian groups. 2. There is no independent evidence indicating that the differences in values are culturally based. 3. Many Asian American groups that are doing well in school do not come from countries that have strong educational traditions
Why is there variability in the ability to speak English across Asian American groups?
Selective Immigration and Predominant period of entry of select racial and ethnic groups
Cite evidence of the economic success of Asian Americans. In what ways are the economic attainments of Asian Americans limited? Why are family income and other statistics somewhat misleading indicators of the economic success of Asian Americans?
Slightly misleading statistics Not all groups, not all segments Discrimination - Glass ceiling and Language based
What are stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination?
Stereotype: Beliefs about the attributes and behavior of members of a group. Prejudice: negative feelings or evaluations Discrimination: negative treatment of or behavior toward a group or individual.
In what way are stereotypes functional? How do stereotypes and prejudice affect people's perceptions and behavior?
Stereotypes enable us to quickly size up situations and persons and enable us to make decisions quickly Racial stereotypes are erroneous and fail to capture the variability that exists within groups Stereotypes affect the interpretation of ambiguous evidence and affect the assumptions we make about others Stereotypes affect how people treat others. Negative stereotypes and prejudice contribute to discrimination Stereotypes and discriminatory treatment affect how stereotyped group members see themselves, and how they behave and perform
What is the legal status of employment and promotion based on a person's English-language proficiency, accent, or desire to speak another language at work?
The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has ruled that it is illegal to hire or fire on the basis of accent or command of English unless English proficiency is a prerequisite for the job
Why do Indian American and Filipino Americans generally speak English well despite being heavily foreign born?
The Philippines were formerly a US Colony so English became a big language, and India was a British colony.
What can people do to prevent their stereotypes from biasing their judgments of individuals?
The importance of judging and treating others as individuals Stereotypes do not always guide our judgments The impact of unambiguous, individual information
How does modern racism differ from old fashion racism?
The invisibility of modern racism 1. People are less willing to express racist views 2. People are less likely to act of their prejudices 3. Racist feelings are more likely to be manifested when discrimination cannot be readily construed as racist. 4. Racist feelings tend to be exhibited in opposition to policies and programs that might favor minorities.
The film on Asian American women in the media that was presented in class was entitled "Slaying the Dragon Reloaded". What is the dragon that needs slaying that is referred to by the film?
The stereotypic presentations of Asian American women in film and media.
Why do many Asian Americans object to the label "oriental"? Most Asian Americans do not refer to themselves as "Asian American". Moreover, Asian Americans are highly diverse. Why are Americans of Asian ancestry categorized similarly as "Asian Americans"?
The term oriental was coined during a war so Asian Americans see it as demeaning. It can be useful to identify them as Asian American because there are so many different regions, countries, cultures within Asia that it can be hard to classify someone by what they want. Asian Americans are highly diverse. a. Shared geographical roots b. Common experiences c. Similarly perceived d. Shared political interests
Identify evidence of the educational success of Asian Americans. What are some explanations for why disproportionately high numbers of Asian Americans enter STEM fields?
They have high standards in cultural values and norms. There are disproportionately more Asian Americans in STEM fields because it's more competitive. Examples: language barrier, less subjective performance evaluation criteria, stereotypes, higher expectations of success, value these fields more, more concerned about attaining financial security
What region in the United States has the greatest concentration of Asian Americans?
West
Why do self-report surveys underestimate the racial prejudice that exists in the general population?
When answering surveys more people try to do the socially correct answer when responding to surveys. Self-fulfilling prophecy: instances where people act toward others in ways that causes their expectations for others to come true.
Do most Americans support or oppose affirmative action? How do republicans and democrats tend to differ on this issue?
Yes, overall most do. Republicans are split between supporting and not
What are some audience preferences that drive television programming and film production?
a. Characters viewers can identify with - characters similar to themselves b. Themes & images that viewers are comfortable with -that are familiar and that are consistent with their belief systems & values c. Themes & images that vicariously fulfill personal needs & wants d. Positive outcomes for the persons and groups they favor • Audiences want good things to happen to the persons and groups they root for.
Why are scholars and policy makers often reluctant to endorse genetic and cultural explanations for differences in economic and educational attainment between racial groups?
a. Contributes to negative stereotyping and discrimination b. Affects social policy. • Diminishes the impetus to increase opportunities and reduce inequities. The assumption that a group is genetically or culturally inferior implies that they are responsible for the inequities and will not be able to benefit from opportunities.
What are some of the undesirable consequences of unfavorable portrayals of Asians and Asian Americans in the media?
a. Perpetuates stereotypes about Asian Americans b. Prescribes what roles, positions, and relationships are appropriate for Asian Americans c. Impacts how Asian Americans see themselves
Why have Asian Americans experienced greater economic success than other minorities? Identify the four socio-economic factors discussed in class that have enabled Asian Americans to attain greater economic success than other minorities.
a. Stereotypes and racial discrimination b. Selective migration • Immigration Act of 1965 opened the doors for immigration from Asia • Best educated, most highly skilled group of immigrants ever to come to America • 61% of recent immigrants from Asia have a bachelor's degree, compared with 30% of recent non-Asian migrants • Historical events have prevented many minorities from succeeding economically in the U.S. c. Resources • Asian Americans generally have more resources (money) than other groups • Capital for businesses-Immigrant Asian Americans have been more likely to pursue small business ownership than other immigrants • Access to better job networks • Live in more affluent areas where there are better job opportunities • Better health and less stress which fosters productivity and creativity d. Belief Because of stereotypes and positive role models, Asian Americans are more likely than other groups to: • believe that opportunity exists • believe that they will be able to succeed
