1. Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 12
Pages

2. RACE
RACE: A group with inherited physical characteristics that distinguish it from another group
Sociologists race is a social classification
Different groups around the world have different characteristics that classify race
Brazil: children born to the same parents may be of a different race...

3. RACE (cont)
Race is a label we use to describe perceived biological characteristics
black vs white--origin: (during slavery)
whites wanted to preserve the “purity” of their race.
Now called “multi-racial”
Race categories are arbitrary.
Location, societal values, time period all affect “race”
Race lies in the eyes of the beholder
2 to 2000 different racial groups identified and classified
Ethnocentrism
“My culture is the right culture.”

4. RACE (cont) Racial superiority exists because people are ethnocentric
Hitler and the Aryan race (tall, blonde, blue eyes)
Racial superiority is evident throughout the ages
Romans
British
USA
Germany
Rwanda
Serbia, etc.

5. ETHNIC GROUPS
ETHNIC GROUP: People who identify with one another on the basis of common ancestry and cultural heritage
Applies to cultural characteristics
Many confuse race with ethnic groups
Jews are an ethnic group, not a race
Ethiopian vs European vs Chinese Jews

6. MINORITY GROUPS
Definition: People who are singled out for unequal treatment and who regard themselves a subject of collective discrimination
A minority group is NOT a numerical minority
Example: South Africa under apartheid or India controlled by the British
Physical or cultural differences can serve as the basis for discrimination
Discrimination excludes the minority from full participation in the life of their society

7. MINORITY GROUPS (cont)
A group that does the discriminating are NOT considered the majority, but called the dominant group
How minority groups are created
Expansion of political boundaries
Example: US annexed the south western states
Migration
Example: slaves from Africa (forced) or Mexicans coming to the US (voluntary)
Females
Unsure how this occurred, but females are the minority in EVERY culture

8. MINORITY GROUPS (cont)
Shared characteristics of a minority
Ascribed status
Physical or cultural traits are held in low esteem by the dominant group
Unequally treated by the dominant group
Tend to marry within their own group (endogamy)
Exogamy: Marriage out side the group
Tend to feel a strong group solidarity
shared sense of identity and sometimes common destiny

9. ETHNIC IDENTITY
MELTING POT – View that Americans of various backgrounds blend into a sort of ethnic stew

10. PREJUDICE and DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination is an act of unfair treatment directed against an individual or group and see all over world.
can be based on a number of conditions such as age, income, marital status, etc.
When the basis of discrimination is race, it is called racism

11. PREJUDICE and DISCRIMINATION (cont)
Discrimination is often the result of an attitude called “prejudice” (pre-judging)
Prejudice is usually a negative attitude resulting in looking at a group as inferior
Prejudice CAN be positive which exaggerates the virtues of the group
Ethnocentrism is so widespread, that prejudice is evident almost everywhere

12. PREJUDICE and DISCRIMINATION (cont)
Individual discrimination: the negative treatment of one person by another
Institutional discrimination: how discrimination is such a part of society that it becomes routine
Sociologists focus on this aspect of discrimination
Examples
Home mortgages: racial minorities are less likely to receive loans.
Health Care: Whites are more likely to receive medical care.
This type of discrimination
may be unintentional

13. Theories of Prejudice Why are people prejudice?
Negative experience?
Fear of the unknown?
Other reasons?
Psychological perspectives:
Frustration and scapegoats
When frustrated, people tend to project their frustration outward—onto a scapegoat
Authoritarian personality: Theodor Alderno
Dislike ambiguity (religion and sex), clear lines of right and/or wrong, anxious when their norms are challenged. Leads to exertion of power and defining those that differ as inferior.