Ch. 1 - Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Class Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is a minority group?

A group with equal socio-economic opportunities

A group with majority power

A subordinate group with less control/power (correct)

A group that exclusively defines themselves

What is another term for a subordinate group?

Minority group

Which group has the most power and privilege in society?

Ethnic minority group

Subordinate group

Dominant group (correct)

Minority group

What are ethnic minority groups defined by?

Cultural characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What are racial minority groups defined by?

Physical characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What does miscegenation refer to?

Laws against intermixing or intermarriage of races Signup and view all the answers

What does stratification refer to in society?

The unequal distribution of valued goods and services Signup and view all the answers

Who is Karl Marx?

The father of modern communism and an early theorist of social inequality Signup and view all the answers

What system does Max Weber identify as part of stratification?

Ownership, prestige, and power Signup and view all the answers

What is Patricia Hill Collins known for?

Matrix of domination and intersectionality in social structures Signup and view all the answers

What does social mobility refer to?

Ease of access to opportunities and movement in social class Signup and view all the answers

What does the social construction of race indicate?

Categories arose in historical contexts to justify unequal treatment Signup and view all the answers

What are gender roles?

Societal expectations for behavior based on gender Signup and view all the answers

What is patriarchy?

A social organization where males dominate and are the family heads Signup and view all the answers

What is ideological racism?

A belief system asserting that a particular group is inferior Signup and view all the answers

What is institutional discrimination?

Unequal treatment built into society's daily operations Signup and view all the answers

What are modern racism characteristics?

Covert and overt actions and attitudes of racism Signup and view all the answers

What does white privilege entail?

Unearned advantages for being part of the majority group Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Minority and Subordinate Groups

Minority groups have less power/control over their lives compared to majority groups and typically face socio-economic disadvantages.
Subordinate groups (synonymous with minority groups) are often subject to discrimination due to distinct physical or cultural characteristics.

Dominant Groups

Dominant or majority groups hold the most power and privilege within society, benefiting the most from social inequalities.

Ethnic and Racial Minority Groups

Ethnic minority groups are defined by cultural characteristics, e.g., Irish Americans, Jewish Americans.
Racial minority groups are identified based on physical traits, e.g., African Americans, Asian Americans.

Miscegenation and Stratification

Miscegenation refers to laws against interracial marriage.
Stratification is the unequal distribution of societal values, a core feature of social organization.

Society is segmented into horizontal layers (social classes) that differ in resource control.

Karl Marx viewed economic production as the main source of inequality, distinguishing between bourgeoisie (elite) and proletariat (working class).
Max Weber expanded inequality theory by including class, prestige, and power in his stratification analysis.

Societal Evolution

Lenski's framework links societal evolution to development levels, highlighting shifts from land-based subsistence to commercial enterprises.

Intersectionality and Oppression

Patricia Hill Collins proposed the "matrix of domination," emphasizing the interlinked nature of race, class, and gender.
Highlighted that not all members of dominant groups experience privilege equally.

Social mobility is the ability to move between different positions in a society's stratification framework, indicating accessibility to opportunities.

Race and gender categories are socially constructed, often to justify unequal treatment based on historical contexts.
Gender roles are shaped by societal expectations concerning appropriate behavior for each sex.
Patriarchy reflects male-dominant social organization, especially evident in Western societies.

Prejudice involves negative cognition and emotions toward other groups, not always resulting in action.
Stereotypes simplify complex group identities, often underlining cognitive prejudice.
The Social Distance scale measures willingness for intergroup contact, showing stable ranking patterns.

Modern Racism and Discriminatory Practices

Modern racism can manifest in covert forms, such as redlining, a housing discrimination practice denying minority groups property ownership in certain areas.
Discrimination refers to unequal treatment based on group membership, often acting on prejudices.

Ideological Constructs

Ideological racism conveys a belief in the inherent inferiority of certain groups, paralleling individual prejudices.
Misogynistic views denote derogatory attitudes toward women.

White Identity and Privilege

White racial identity often denies privileges afforded to white individuals, presenting a singular cultural narrative.
White privilege encapsulates unearned advantages based on race, highlighting systemic inequalities.

Institutional Discrimination

Institutional discrimination indicates structured patterns of unequal treatment within societal operations, often unconsciously perpetuated.

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Description

Explore key concepts from Chapter 1 of 'Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Class' with this set of flashcards. Each card provides definitions of essential terms such as 'minority group' and 'subordinate group', facilitating a deeper understanding of social dynamics. Perfect for students and educators alike.