Race and Gender Test 1

Definition of subsistence technology, and examples in our society.

Examples are

Explain how situational influences can affect prejudice.

People may avoid wanting to make a scene. There may also be pressure to conform if you live in a racist environment.

Scapegoat Hypothesis

People sometimes express their frustrations against substitute targets. When the substitutes are other groups, prejudice increases.

Explanation and criticism of color-blind ideology

Color blind ideology is micro level. Many are not bigoted, but simply oblivious to racial inequality. They claim that race no longer matters in the U.S.-dominant racial ideology in the U.S. 1.Does not address "invisible privileges" of whites in U.S. society 2.For many people their race and/or ethnicity are integral parts of their identity

Personality-centered prejudice vs. culture-based prejudice----------

Culture based or traditional prejudice is when a person learns prejudice because they were socialized in racist environments. Personality centered prejudice

Define the concept of a minority group (be able to recognize examples of minority group characteristics HINT: the book lists 5 minority group characteristics)

-A minority group experiences systematic disadvantages and has a visible identifying trait. The group is self-conscious, and membership is usually determined at birth. Members tend to form intimate relationships within the group. 1.The members of this group experience a pattern of disadvantage and inequality 2.The members of this group share a visible trait or characteristic that differentiates them from other groups 3.The minority group is a self-conscious social unit 4.Membership in the group is usually determined at birth 5.Members tend to form intimate relationships (close friendships, dating partnerships, and marriages) within the group

Two main explanations for the decline of traditional prejudice.

1. Increase in education 2. The contact Hypothesis -Increased communication with other groups has suggested remedies for prejudice

Five common policies of how majority-minority relationships are structured---------

1) Genocide: systematic effort of one group to destroy another (Hitler- concentration camps) 2) Subjugation: subordination of one group to another that holds authority (slavery, indentured servitude) Segregation: form of subjugation; separates minorities from the dominant group & deprives access to dominant institutions (Jim Crow laws) 3) Population transfer: removal of a minority group from a region or country-often forced ("Trail of Tears"-Cherokee people forced to walk from GA & NC to lands west of MS; WWII Japanese people forced to "relocation centers") 4) Assimilation: social and cultural merging of minority and majority groups-often voluntary , sometimes forced 5) Pluralism: ethnic and racial groups maintain their own culture and separate set of institutions, but have recognized equality in society (Religious pluralism in the U.S.)

Milton Gordan's breakdown of the process of assimilation (three subprocesses discussed in the book)

1. Acculturation or cultural assimilation is when members of a minority group learn the culture of the dominant group. For groups that immigrate to the USA, acculturation to the dominant Anglo-american culture may include learning the English language and changing eating habits. 2. Integration or structural assimilation means the minority group enters the social structure of the larger society. For example, people form friendships with members of other groups and make contact at places like work and school. 3. Intermarriage or marital assimilation

Examples of Unintentional discrimination

1.Past-in-Present Discrimination: (Meso level) practices in the past that are no longer allowed but still have consequences for people in the present Ex. In 1950s in MS state expenditures to educate a white child averaged $147/pupil, and $34/black pupil in segregated schools. Black children who were in school 1950s-1960s are now receiving lowers Social Security checks. Poor schooling diminished the pupil's earnings as adults, and they are now unable to help pay for their grandchildren to go to college-not ancient history for these families 2.Side-effect discrimination (Meso level): practices in one institution may have negative impacts on a minority group because they are linked to another institution that discriminates. Ex. Information from the interview of a probation officer revealed that in one community African American offenders never got a not-guilty verdict. This was well known. African Americans would plead guilty to lesser charges even when innocent in order to avoid a trial they felt would not be fair. When the officially labeled criminals applied for jobs, employers would check criminal histories. Employers were unintentionally discriminating

Multiculturalism------------

A general term for pluralistic views that stress inclusion, mutual respect, and a celebration of group diversity.

Describe symbolic/modern racism

A more subtle and indirect form of traditional prejudice. People say racism isn't dying it is just changing forms. For example, the lack of a group in high ranking positions, or the continual segregation of residential areas and schools.

Stereotypes

A stereotype is an idea about the characteristics of other groups

Assimilation & Pluralism-know definitions and examples.

Assimilation is a process in which separate groups come to share a common culture and merge together socially. The "melting pot" is a type of assimilation in which all groups contribute in roughly equal amounts to a new culture and society. Americanization is a type of assimilation in which groups are pressured to conform to Anglo-American culture. Cultural pluralism is when groups have not acculturated or integrated and each maintains a distinct identity. Structural pluralism is when a group has acculturated but not integrated.

Two initial Dominant-Minority group relationships: Colonization and Immigration-characteristics, significance and the results of each relationship

COLONIZATION- Forced into minority status by the superior military and political power of dominant group. At time of contact, colonized groups are subject to massive inequalities and attacks on their culture. Some are assigned to positions such as slave status from which assimilation is extremely difficult or perhaps forbidden by the dominant group. Often, members of minority groups are identified by highly visible traits. They experience harsher and more persistent rejection and oppression than do groups created by immigration. IMMIGRATION- They are in part voluntary participants in the host society. Although the decision to immigrate may be motivated by extreme pressures such as famine or political persecution, immigrant groups have at least some control over their destinations and their positions in the host society. They do not occupy positions that are inferior as those of colonized groups. They retain internal organization and resources to pursue their own self interests and commonly experience more rapid acceptance and easier movement to equality.

What main factor differentiates a crime as a hate crime?

Hate crimes are attacks or other acts of intimidation motivated by the group membership of the victim or victims.

Be familiar with Gehard Lenski's expansion on Max Weber's work.

He analyzes stratification in the context of societal evolution, or the level of development of a society. He argues that the nature of inequality is closely related to subsistence technology, the means by which the society satisfies basic needs such as hunger and thirst.

Blauner Hypothesis

Identifies two different initial relationships-- Colonization and immigration. He hypothesizes that minority groups created by colonization will experience more intense prejudice, racism, and discrimination than those created by immigration. Furthermore, the disadvantaged status of colonized groups will persist longer and be more difficult to overcome than the disadvantaged status faced by groups created by immigration.

Globalization and how it relates to immigration in the U.S.---------

Immigration is a global phenomenon that affects virtually every nation in the world. 3% of the world's population lives outside of the country they were born in.Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness of people,groups, organizations, and nations. Some Americans see immigrants as threats to American culture and the English language. Others associate immigrants with violence and crime. But many still see these people as humans trying to survive and better themselves who are trying to take care of their families.

The vicious cycle of minority-group inferiority

In the vicious cycle, minority-group inferiority is assumed and then forces are set in motion to create and perpetuate it 1. Inferior status---> 2. Prejudice/Racism---> 3. Discrimination--->

Be familiar with Patricia Hill Collins's concept of intersectionality.

Intersectionality is the view that acknowledges that everyone has multiple group memberships and that these crisscross and create very different realities for people with varying combinations and statuses.

Paternalism: key features & know examples of paternalistic relations from the text----------

Key features: Vast power differentials and huge inequalities between dominant and minority groups, elaborate and repressive systems of control over the minority group, caste-like barriers between groups, elaborate and highly stylized codes of behavior and communication between groups, and low rates of overt conflict.

Micro, Meso, and Macro-Level Analysis of prejudice

Micro: local community, small groups, individuals -refusing to sell someone a house due to religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc...-based on minority status Meso: Institutions, Organizations -institutional racial discrimination=any institutional arrangement that favors one racial group over another; may result in intentional or unintentional consequences for minority groups Macro: National/Global: ultimately sets the tone for interracial/multicultural relationships -How those in power decide to structure relationships between racial and ethnic groups

What is social distance, and what do social distance patterns illustrate?

Refers to the degree of intimacy a person is willing to accept for members of other groups. The patterns illustrate that prejudice is cultural.

Explain how sociologists view race as a social construction.

To sociologists, race is a social construction and its meaning has been created and sustained not by science but by historical, social, economic and political processes.

Robert Park's Race Relations Cycle

The concept that there will be a predictable cycle of group relationships from conflict to eventual assimilation.

Significance of the contact situation

The conditions under which groups first come into contact determine the immediate fate of the minority group and shape inter group relations for years to come.

Human Capital Theory

The view that upward mobility is a direct result of effort, personal values and skills, and investment in education

What is social stratification?

The system of unequal distribution of valued goods and services in society.

Explanations for why people commit hate crimes

These crimes are often expressions of hatred or disdain, strong prejudice, or blatant racism, and are not committed for profit or gain. -thrill seeking, a random target is selected -defensive, they feel their territory has been invaded or that a group is threatening their resources or status

Noel Hypothesis -Ethnocentrism -Competition -Differential in power

Three contact situations that in combination lead to some form of inequality between groups. -Ethnocentrism is the tendency to judge other groups, societies, or lifestyles by the standards of one's own culture -Competition is a struggle over scarce commodity. The victorious group becomes the dominant group. -Differential in power is between the groups.