Race and Ethnicity Flashcards
What are the two ways of defining race?
Biological (physical features) and Social (associating culture behaviour with physical appearance).
What is race?
In terms of human evolution, “race” doesn’t exist. Instead, “race” is socially constructed. It rests on the assumptions about human behaviour based on some members of a group.
What are the two levels of racism?
- Formal
2. Informal
What is formal racism?
Systematic discrimination, which is exclusion of people based on their physical appearance. E.g., employers not hiring visible minorities.
What is informal racism?
Condemnation of an entire group of people based on the deviant behaviour of a few (e.g., hate crimes, race jokes).
What are the three ways minorities are mistreated?
- Ethnic stereotypes
- Ethnic prejudice
- Discrimination
What is ethnic stereotyping?
Assuming “they’re all alike”
What is ethnic prejudice?
Assumption that one group is more worthy of reward or praise than another.
What is discrimination?
Differential rewards or punishments. E.g., white man getting tenure over a minority professor.
What are the five effects of racism on whites?
- Psychological - false sense of superiority over others
- Economic - imbalances in the labour market
- Social - divisions between dominant and subordinate groups
- Education - members of dominant groups are misinformed by being taught that their cultures are superior to others
- International relations - arrogant assumption that “white” forces of modernization
What are the two ways to define ethnicity?
- Broad definition
2. Narrow definition
What is the broad definition of defining ethnicity?
Including members of one religion, people who speak one language, come from one religion, or have similar physical features.
What is the narrow definition of defining ethnicity?
An ethnic group that comes from a particular territory, speaks its own language, or has unique cultural characteristics.
What are ways in which you can define ethnicity?
Religion, common origin, ancestral homeland, tribal origin, kinship, costume, tradition, language.
What are early theories of ethnicity?
Social darwinism, biological differences, anglo-conformity.
What are the theories of ethnic change?
- Assimilation
- Amalgamation
- Modified assimilation
- Modified pluralism
- Multicultural pluralism
- Conflict - when cultures collide
What is assimilation?
When a minority group sheds its differences and assumes the traits of the dominant group
What is amalgamation?
Conforming to the dominant culture
What is modified pluralism?
Retention of separate identities
What is multicultural pluralism?
All people are equal regardless of culture
What is Robert Parks theory of assimilation?
Assimilation is a process of adaptation. Ethnicity gradually fades away. The process of assimilation spreads as other countries industrialize.
Why is ethnicity withering away?
Due to influences of urbanization, industrialization, liberal values, mass education, mass communication and technological change.
What are Gemeinschaft societies?
Rural or small town setting, neighbours know each other intimately. People want to help each other. People are more likely to stay in one place.
What are Gesselschaft societies?
Urban setting, neighbours are less likely to know each other, people are more mobile, relationships are more impersonal, children are more likely to move away from families.
