HIS 206

 3 different theoretical perspectives: ◦ Functional theory – stable equilibrium between groups is the norm ◦ Conflict theory – competition for political & economic power between groups is the norm ◦ Interactionist theory – focus on symbolic interaction & social construction of reality

 3 different ways of defining & analyzing minority groups: ◦ Distributive – studying how groups differ in life chances, income, education, occupation & pol. power ◦ Organizational – studying character & relations of organizations formed by groups ◦ Attitudinal (Social Psychology) – studying attitudes, beliefs & behaviors of group members to explain prejudice & intergroup action  Functional – concentrates on forms & functions, assuming all groups react in same ways  Cultural Relativist – concentrates on unique cultural content of groups, emphasizing differences between them

 Never easy, straightforward or consistent – changes over time & place ◦ Dependent on context ◦ Not simply numerical – majority may lack power relative to minority  Sociology created by Herbert Spencer & others in late 1800s to study evolution of human societies ◦ Assumed human societies evolve as species do ◦ Used term “race” to refer to groups distinguished by both physical & cultural characteristics

 Subordinate segments of complex state societies  Special physical or cultural traits held in low esteem by dominant segments of society  Self-conscious units bound together by special traits members share & special disabilities which these traits bring  Membership transmitted by rule of descent capable of affiliating succeeding generations even in absence of readily apparent traits  By choice or necessity, tend to marry within group (endogamy)

 Identifiability – characteristics neither fixed nor self-evident, but rather social constructed  Differential power – combination of total resources & their use  Differential & pejorative treatment – various strategies employed by dominant group, depending on limitations on resources, relative power, & econ. usefulness of minorities ◦ Stereotyping ◦ Avoidance ◦ Discrimination ◦ Physical attack ◦ Extermination  Group awareness – more limited in U.S. due to individualism

 Assignment of people to groups sometimes done by dominant group and sometimes by minority group  Self-assignment often made for economic advantage  Legal definitions difficult