Race

Question 1

Highlighted questions from slides - What is the problem with the concept of race?

Answer 1

1. Number of races varies dependent on criteria used to define race
2. Arbitrator boundaries use to determine variables to define race (there is 94% variation within the human race)
3. Misuse of the concept of species - races are not scientifically speaking species as all humans regardless of race, can interbreed and produce viable offspring
4. Racism - stems from the concept of race
5. Racism leads to stereotyping, discrimination and abuse

Question 2

What 3 things does racism link together?

Answer 2

1. Outward appearance
2. Intelligence of the race (measured in theory by IQ)
3. Success - the ability of a race to achieve civilization and other important goals

Question 3

Highlighted question from slides - What is the definition of race?

Answer 3

Race is traditionally presented as subspecies or groups within the human species

Usually based on outward observable phenotypic traits

Attempts to define different races have been through essentialism, Craniometry and anthropometry

Question 4

What us essentialism?

Answer 4

Generalization that all members of a group possess universal properties

Question 5

What is Craniometry?

Answer 5

Is the measurement of the cranium )the main part of the skull) it is a subset of a cephalonetry (measurement of the head) which is a subset of anthropometry (measurement of the human body)
-19th century and first part of the 20th century anthropology focused heavily on Craniometry to divide humanity into races

Question 6

What is anthropometry?

Answer 6

The study of the measurement of the human individual

In particular the measurement of different body parts

Question 7

What is the relationship between racism and social stratification?

Answer 7

1. Racism is strongest in a stratified society where groups have unequal access to wealth, power and prestige
2. Reinforced by religion, economics and politics
3. Freedom for some at the expense of others

Question 8

Highlighted questions from slides - What are some of the impacts of racism?

Answer 8

1. Ethnocide
2. Genocide
3. Economic and political discrimination
4. Colonization
5. Violence
6. Human rights abuse
7. Interpersonal violence
8. Discrimination by the courts and police

Question 9

Highlighted questions from slides - What elements make up racism?

Answer 9

1. Differences in appearance
2. Differences in success
3. Differences in intellect

Question 10

Highlighted questions from slides - Why is ethnicity a better word than race?

Answer 10

When people talk about race usually it involves a cultural not just a biological aspect

Ethnicity is more flexible as it means a common heritage or ancestry which can encompass: language, religion, economics, history and territory, physical attributes, and a feeling of belonging and distinctiveness

Question 11

Highlighted questions from slides - Why are we saying that race is biocultural?

Answer 11

It has a biological component - results from natural selection and physical adaptation to a specific geographic environment

It has a cultural component - it impacts our life through social creation and reinforcement of differences for economic, political and religious reasons

Question 12

What are anti-miscegenation laws?

Answer 12

Laws put in place to stop mix race births

Question 13

What is the definition of prejudice?

Answer 13

An pinion for or against something without adequate basis