ch 11 racial & ethnic inequality Flashcards
a group set apart because of obvious physical differences
racial group
physical (racial) distinctions only become important when people attach cultural meanings to them
racial group
racial identity becomes associated with character, ability, or behavior
racial group
a group set apart from others primarily because of its national origin (geographic) or distinctive cultural patterns
ethnic group
- noticeable
- must bind the group together and separate them from others
cultural patterns distinctive of ethnic groups
process by which people come to define a group as a race based in part on physical characteristics, but also on historical, cultural, and economic factors
social construction of race
children whose parents are from different groups are automatically put into the minority group
hypodescent
Obama is half white, half black, but is associated with the minority (black)
hypodescent
a subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their own lives than members of a dominant group
minority group
economic/political powerlessness
minority group issue of concern
- experience unequal treatment
- distinguishing characteristics
- involuntary membership
- strong sense of group solidarity
- in-group marriage
5 basic properties of minority group
unreliable generalizations about all members of a group that do not recognize individual differences within the group
stereotypes
describes a person/group as having particular characteristics and then they begin to display those very traits
self-fulfilling prophecy (similar to labeling theory)
attitude that prejudges a person based on real or imagined characteristics (stereotypes) of a group of which that person is a member
prejudice
negative attitude toward an entire category of people
prejudice
