Sociology Ch 8

Situational Ethnicity

ethnic and racial identification is socially constructed

Race

group with inherited physical characteristics that distinguish them from others -no "pure" race

Jewish Americans

most successful minority. hardworking/family oriented/friendly -danger of losing identiy because of inter-faith marriages/falling birthrates

European Americans

mostly white dominate US society

Prejudice

negative attitude towards a certain group of people preconceived views

Native Americans

4.4 million 1/3 on reservations poorest minority in US revived traditions and gained more self determination

African Americans

Civil Rights Act 1964-prohibited segregation progress in education and politics but not housing/economic middle class has become more prosperous

Ancestries of Current population

German is greatest Polish is lowest english in the middle

Percentages of groups in US

White- 72.1% Hispanic- 12.1% African American 11.3% Asian 3.6% Native American .9% -other 1.6%

Most Important ethnic groups in America

african-americans native-americans puerto rican-americans cubans-americans mexican-americans chinese-americans japenese-americans

Prejudiced Discriminator

all weather illiberal prejudiced and discriminates no matter what social pressure is

Unprejudiced Nondiscriminator

all weather liberal not prejudiced and does not discriminate no matter what the social pressure is

Ethnicity

cultural practices of a given community that have emerged historically and set people apart

Prejudiced Nondiscriminator

fair weather illiberal prejudiced but because of social pressure, does not discriminate

Unprejudiced Discriminator

fair weather liberal not prejudiced but because of social pressure, does discriminate

Asian Americans

fastest growing minority terrible past discrimination more likely to graduate/higher family income than whites model minority

Minority discrimination

genocide, ethnic cleansing, segregation

Dominant Groups

greatest power, most privledges, highest social status

Socialization

if our parents, teachers, and media are prejudiced we are likely to follow their lead

Political

involves maintaining power for the dominant group

Hispanic Americans

largest minority Mexican Americans are largest group Spanish language and Catholic are unifying forces worse off than blacks in educational work low pay jobs -new generation of hispanics are breaking that trend

Institutionalized Discrimination

long history and persistance of policies promoted by social instutions that favor white supremacy structure of social relations not recognized as discrimination

Symbolic Ethnicity

member of an ethnic group assimilates to a larger more ethically diverse culture

Consquences of Prejudice & Discrimination

minorities generally have a lower quality of life than dominant group black lower class has grown larger and more desperate young victims of prejudice and discimination tend to develop a negative self image

Minority Groups

people who are subjected to prejudice and discrimination not a small percentage of population (south africa)

Ethnic Group

people who identify with one another on the basis of common cultural heritage share the feeling of being distinct triats are passed through generations ethnic differences are learned

Racism

prejudice based on socially significant physical distinctions racists think they are surperior to others because of physical characteristics

Scapegoating

prejudice is the result of frusterating scapegoats become target of blame

Economic

racism created a huge supply of cheap labor bringing profits to the dominant group

Antiracism

refers to thoughts or actions taken to eradicate racism

Ethnic Diversity

remarkable diversity of ethnic minorities in US

Affirmative Action

requires employers to make special efforts to recruit qualified minorities has been successful for african americans reverse discrimination

sociologists define Race

social phenomenon group of people who are perceived by society to be physically different from others race affects power/inequality population inbreeding

Discrimination

unfavorable action or behavior taken against an individual because they are of a certain group. exclusion of "the other" or restricting oppurtunities