Sociology chapter 8
Symbolic interactionalism approach to race and ethnicity
Race and ethnicity are part of our identity as displayed through our presentation of self. Some individuals have the option to conceal their race or ethnicity in situations where it might be advantageous to do so. This may allow them as individuals to escape the effects of racial inequality, but does not erase it from society in large.
Structural functionalism approach to race and ethnicity
Racial and ethnic differences are a necessary part of society. Even racial inequality has functions that help maintain social order. The functions of racial inequality and conflict for society could include the creation of social cohesion within both the dominant and minority groups.
Conflict theory approach to race and ethnicity
Racial and ethnic differences create intergroup conflict-minority and majority groups have different interests and may find themselves at odds as they attempt to secure and protect their interests. Some members of majority groups object to affirmative action programs that assist underrepresented groups. This can create conflict between racial groups in society.
Double-consciousness
W.E.B Dubois's term for the divided identity by blacks in America
Pluralism/multi-culturalism
a cultural pattern of intergroup relations that encourages racial and ethnic variation and acceptance within society
Assiimilation
a pattern of relations between ethnic or racial groups in which the minority group is absorbed into the mainstream or dominant group, making society more homogenous
Scapegoat
a person or group that is capable of offering resistance to the hostility or agression of others. They are convenient and less feared targets on which to place blame for one's own troubles, frustrations, failures, or sense of guilt
Racism
a set of beliefs about the superiority of one racial or ethnic group; used to justify inequality and often rooted in the assumption that differences between groups are genetic
Ethnicity
a socially defined category based on common language, religion, nationality, history, or another cultural factor
Race
a socially defined category based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people
Ideology
a system of beliefs/knowledge that justify particular social arrangements, including patterns of inequality
Situational ethnicity
an ethnic identity that can be either displayed or concealed depending on its usefulness in a given situation
Symbolic ethnicity
an ethnic identity that is only relevant on specific occasions and does not significantly impact everyday life
Prejudice
an idea about the characteristics of a group that is applied to all members of that group and is unlikely to change regardless of the evidence against it
Individual discrimination
discrimination carried out by one person against another
Institutional discrimination
discrimination carried out systematically by institutions (political, economic, educational, and others) that affect all members of a group who come into contact with it
De facto segrigation
informal cultural norms that enforce racial separation
De jure segrigation
laws that systematically enforce physical and social separation of minorities from public life
Social distance
measures prejudice by determining the extent to which people are willing to interact and establish relationships with members of racial and ethnic categories other than their own
Stereotypes
overgeneralized beliefs about the appearance, behavior, or other characteristics of members of particular categories
Passing
presenting yourself as a member of a different racial or ethnic group than the one you were born into
Miscegenation
romantic, sexual, or marital relationships between people of different races
Genocide
the deliberate and systematic extermination of a racial, ethnic, national, or cultural group
Internal colonialism
the economic and political subjugation of the minority group by the dominant group within a nation
Population transfer
the forcible removal of a group of people from the territory they have occupied
Racial/ethnic stratification
the hierarchical distribution of social and economic resources according to race or ethnicity based on (perceived) biological characteristics (race) and social construction of ethnicity (ethnicity)
Segregation
the physical and legal separation of groups by race or ethnicity
Racial assimilation
the process by which racial minority groups are absorbed into the dominant group through intermarriage
Cultural assimilation
the process by which racial or ethnic groups are absorbed into the dominant group by adopting the dominant group's culture
Embodied identity
those elements of identity that are generated through others' perceptions of our physical traits
Discrimination
unequal treatment of individuals based on their membership in a social group; usually motivated by prejudice
