Chapter 10 Flashcards
What is the difference between race and ethnicity?
Race: is a category of people widely perceived as sharing socially significant physical characteristics such as skin color.
Ethnicity: a shared cultural heritage, often deriving from a common ancestry and homeland.
What are the arguments for and against immigration?
Against -
> Critics allege that low-skilled workers reduce the standard of living and overload schools and welfare systems.
> Immigrants are thought to use more government services and pay less in taxes.
For -
> Proponents argue that immigrants provide services at low wages and in jobs most Americans do not want.
> Without new workers, the U.S. will not be able to support the aging population.
What are minority groups?
a group of people who may be subject to differential and unequal treatment because of physical, cultural, or other characteristics
It does not refer necessarily to a numerical minority.
Describe the different patterns of group relations.
Genocide—the systematic attempt to kill all members of a particular ethnic, religious, political, racial, or national group
Internal colonialism—the subordinate status of groups who are treated unequally within a nation
Segregation—the physical and social separation of dominant and minority groups
> De facto segregation—informal
> De jure segregation—formal
Assimilation—the process of conforming to the culture of the dominant group
Pluralism—minority groups exist separately but enjoy access to resources across all institutions
European Americans
First colonists
About 58% of the U.S. population
Early immigrants (WASPS) looked down on later immigrants from other areas of Europe
As a group, European Americans are the most successful.
How are interracial/ethnic relations changing?
Miscegenation—marriage or sexual relations between members of different races
Anti-miscegenation laws declared unconstitutional in 1967
Racial-ethnic intermarriages are increasing and account for 8% of married couples.
Americans are increasingly likely to approve.
Describe the different patterns of group friction.
Racism—a set of beliefs claiming that one’s own racial group is “naturally” superior to other groups
Prejudice—an attitude, positive or negative, toward people because of their group membership
Stereotype—an oversimplified or exaggerated generalization about a category of people
Ethnocentrism—a belief that one’s own culture, society, or group is inherently superior to others
Discrimination—an act that treats people unequally or unfairly because of their group membership
> Individual discrimination—harmful action directed intentionally on a one-to-one basis
> Institutional discrimination—unequal treatment due to the everyday operations of a society
Latinos
Fastest growing minority group
16% of U.S. population
Latinos are a diverse group.
Median household income of
Latinos is 72% that of whites.
Many Latinos become successful.
African Americans
The second largest minority group
13% of the population
The only group brought to the U.S. involuntarily
Experience high rates of poverty
Median income is the lowest of all racial-ethnic groups.
Success rates are increasing.
Asian Americans
Comprise 5% of U.S. population
Highest median income among U.S. minority groups
Higher educational levels
Labeled the “model minority”
American Indians
1.6% of the population, growing
More than 560 recognized tribes
Experienced centuries of subjugation, exploitation, and political exclusion
High rates of poverty
Economic progress in recent years
Middle Eastern Americans
Heterogeneous population
Most are Muslim
Tend to be better educated and wealthier than other Americans
