1. Race Prejudice Racism Ethnicity
Categories of people set apart from others because of socially defined physical characteristics
Skin color
Hair color
Hair texture
Facial features
Eye color and shape
Height
Ethnicity
Categories of people set apart from others because of cultural, religious, or national characteristics
Language
Different Beliefs
Where did we come from?
How will we get there?
Where are we going?
Prejudice
Widely held negative attitudes toward a group (minority or majority) and its individual members
Strong emotions; difficult to change
Racism
An extreme form of prejudice that assumes superiority of one group over others
Assumes own race/ethnicity is superior
Beliefs are “Justified” because of natural superiority

2. Minority Groups Scapegoat Discrimination
A group of people with physical or cultural traits different from those of the dominant group in the society
Physical characteristics
Skin color
Facial features
Language/Accents
Religion
Dominated by the majority
Unequal share of goods, services, and privileges
Presumed to be inferior
Scapegoat
A weak, convenient, and socially approved target ; often a minority
Present when people cannot pinpoint the source of their problems
Direct anger towards target
Targeted individual/group shoulder the blame and pay terrible penalties for “causing” society’s ills
Discrimination
Treating people differently based on ethnicity, race, religion, or culture
Involves ACTING upon prejudiced/racists thoughts
Avoiding social contact with members of minority groups
Denying positions of authority
Blocking access to more exclusive neighborhoods
EXTREMES
Hate Crimes
Attacks or killing minority members

3. Segregation
Physical or social exclusion of minority groups from dominant group activities
De jure: Segregation by law
Jim Crow Laws
Separate waiting rooms for Blacks and Whites
De facto: Segregation by custom
Sitting at different lunch tables, separated by race
Cultural Pluralism
Racial and ethnic groups cooperate while still retaining their distinctive identities and lifestyles
Reflects desires of minority groups to cooperate with others, yet preserve their distinctive cultural heritages
“Tossed Salad”
Assimilation
A process by which minority groups lose their distinctive identities and conform to cultural patterns of the dominant group
Encouraged or required to adopt dominant culture
“Melting Pot”