Race/Ethnicity

Question 1

race

Answer 1

a socially constructed concept - differences in human physical characteristics used to categorize people
(ex. White, Black, Asian)

Question 2

ethnicity

Answer 2

social identity related to ancestry and cultural differences
(ex. German, Chinese)

Question 3

minority group

Answer 3

group with disadvantaged positions within society based on distinct physical/cultural characteristics

Question 4

dominant group

Answer 4

group that possesses the most wealth, power & prestige in society

Question 5

How do we know race isn’t real BIOLOGICALLY?

Answer 5

would need more TIME & ISOLATION for subspecies to develop

Question 6

How do we know race is real SOCIALLY?

Answer 6

• we believe in race & society is structured on it
• we know this bc variation over time & cross-cultural differences

Question 7

Racial Formation Theory

Answer 7

process by which social, economic & political forces determine context/importance of racial categories
1. talk & imagery
2. laws & social/economic action

Question 8

NON-MATERIAL examples of how race impacts life chances

Answer 8

• extra attention from police
• extra scrutiny when shopping

Question 9

MATERIAL examples of how race impacts life chances

Answer 9

• lower educational outcomes
• lower economic outcomes
• school inequality
• lower health

Question 10

Why do both examples affect health?

Answer 10

causes stress

Question 11

segregation

Answer 11

separation of different racial groups

Question 12

Index of Dissimilarity

Answer 12

degree to which each neighborhood looks like the whole place
- score from 0 to 1 (perfect integration to perfect segregation)
- represents the proportion of one or the other group that would need to move in order to FULLY desegregate the area

Question 13

Causes of Segregation

Answer 13

PAST
- laws/policies
- discrimination in housing search
-racial covenants
PRESENT
- economic inequality limits choices
- continued discrimination in housing search

Question 14

Effects & Linkage of Segregation

Answer 14

• children’s potential for upward mobility
• limited wealth building
• isolation from jobs
• unequal schools
• exposure to environmental hazards

Question 15

In-Group & Out-Group Dynamics

Answer 15

GROUP BOUNDARIES based on
group memberships and even categorical
identities
* Very NORMAL human group behavior
* but a problem in a multicultural society

Question 16

ethnocentrism

Answer 16

– Cultural differences => “others”
– Cultural differences judged in terms of own culture –
will increase hostility

Question 17

group closure

Answer 17

dominant group maintains boundaries
if/because they feel threatened

• Prevent intermarriage (before by law; now by
  practice)
• Limit social contact
• Physical segregation
• Limit access to resources – like jobs

Question 18

How is history is still with us?

Answer 18

economic inequality and segregation are in-part
relics of past inequality

Question 19

prejudice

Answer 19

• Based on stereotypes – false generic images of a
  group
• Conscious AND unconscious prejudice
• Resistant to change

Question 20

discrimination

Answer 20

treating a particular group of people differently because of their race
* Overt and intentional
* Or from unconscious prejudice

Question 21

institutional racism

Answer 21

way race matters in all social institutions, it’s woven
into the fabric of how society operates

Question 22

aversive racism

Answer 22

subtle, often unconscious racial prejudice
* discomfort around minority group members
AND
* subtle, hard to detect forms of discrimination

Question 23

When is aversive racism less likely to produce discrimination?

Answer 23

– When right and wrong are CLEAR
– When discrimination would be obvious to observers

Question 24

When is aversive racism more likely to produce discrimination?

Answer 24

– When right and wrong are UNCLEAR
– When a non-racial explanation is
available to justify discriminatory
behavior

Question 25

Racial Microaggressions

Answer 25

small slights, indignities, or acts of disrespect that are hurtful to people of color even though they are often perpetrated by well-meaning White people

Question 26

assimilation

Answer 26

new immigrant groups would assume the attitudes and language of the dominant White community.

Question 27

pluralism

Answer 27

ethnic cultures maintain their unique practices and communities yet also participate in the larger society’s economic and political life

Question 28

multiculturalism

Answer 28

ethnic groups exist separately and share equally in economic and political life