Sociology Chapter 10 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Contact theory argues that interaction between Whites and minorities will reduce prejudice on the part of both groups if all of the following conditions are met, except?

The parties interact on equal ground.

All parties agree to work to reduce the prejudice. (correct)

Social norms favoring equality are agreed upon by the participants.

The contact is sustained.

Which theory argues that race and ethnicity are socially constructed categories?

Social exchange theory

Functionalist theory

Social conflict theory

Symbolic interaction theory (correct)

In the debate over whether class or race are more important as the source of inequality, sociologist William Julius Wilson argues that:

The disadvantaged status of minority groups is more a matter of race than class.

Changes in the economic structure are more important than race in shaping the life chances of different groups. (correct)

The social construction of race is a myth.

Ignoring skin color and cultural differences is the only way to solve the country's problems of racism.

The view that race intersects with class to shape one's experience in the social structure is a perspective related to:

Conflict theory Signup and view all the answers

The situation for women in society should be studied separately within each social class because differences between men and women are not the same in every racial or class group. This is an argument of the perspective:

Intersection Signup and view all the answers

The perspective that argues that minority groups' life chances result from the opportunities formed by the interactions of class, race, and gender is called:

The intersection perspective Signup and view all the answers

According to __________, social change is a slow and gradual process.

Functionalism Signup and view all the answers

__________ believe that social change results from organized social movements and other forms of resistance to oppression.

Conflict theorists Signup and view all the answers

Understanding race and ethnicity as social constructions is a significant contribution of:

Symbolic interaction theory Signup and view all the answers

At the time of their 'discovery,' Native Americans had:

Heterogeneous cultures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding the position of Native Americans in this country is false?

Only about one-fourth of Native Americans live on or near reservations today. Signup and view all the answers

Central to the operation of slavery was the belief that:

Human beings could be property. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding the slavery system and the position of African Americans in the U.S. is true?

Pieces of the slavery system remain in the U.S. today. Signup and view all the answers

A problem with the terms 'Latino' and 'Latina' is that they:

Do not reflect the diversity of groups who are included in the category. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is true about the status of Puerto Rico relative to the U.S.?

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth with its own constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a Latino group?

Hawaiians Signup and view all the answers

The original entry of Mexican Americans into the U.S. was the result of:

Military conquest. Signup and view all the answers

__________ created a class system within the Chicano community.

Wealth being concentrated in the hands of a few ranchers Signup and view all the answers

The Jones Act of 1917:

Extended U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans. Signup and view all the answers

Operation Bootstrap was launched after WWII to attract U.S. corporations to Puerto Rico. What was the overall outcome of Operation Bootstrap?

Rapid overall growth in the Puerto Rican economy Signup and view all the answers

When unemployment became very severe in Puerto Rico, during the early to mid-1970s the U.S. government responded by:

Attempting to reduce the Puerto Rican population to the extent of promoting sterilization of women. Signup and view all the answers

The 125,000 Cubans who entered the U.S. in 1980 during the 'Mariel boat lift' were largely:

Persons considered by the Cuban government as 'undesirable' Signup and view all the answers

Chinese immigrants began migrating to the U.S. in the mid-19th century because:

The U.S. needed workers. Signup and view all the answers

The most recent Asian Americans to migrate to the U.S. have come from:

Laos and Cambodia Signup and view all the answers

The 1913 Alien Land Law of California limited ownership and prohibited land from being inherited. This law was aimed at preventing __________ from establishing themselves in the U.S.

Japanese Signup and view all the answers

The largest concentration of Koreans in the U.S. today is located in:

Los Angeles Signup and view all the answers

Which of these countries was made a commonwealth of the U.S.?

Philippines Signup and view all the answers

Like other immigrant groups, Middle Eastern immigrants:

Formed ethnic enclaves Signup and view all the answers

The group collectively referred to as White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs) who settled in the 'New World' did not include the:

Irish Signup and view all the answers

More than __________ of the world's Jewish population lives in the United States.

40 percent Signup and view all the answers

Which of these countries has the largest population of Jews?

The U.S. Signup and view all the answers

Anti-Semitism is the term for:

Hatred of Jewish people. Signup and view all the answers

The National Origins Quota Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants:

To the percentage equal to the numbers already in the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

In order to limit the number of immigrants, the U.S. government did all of the following, except:

Literally closed doors to keep immigrants out of the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

Persons with the perspective believe that to overcome adversity and oppression, the minority person needs to imitate the dominant White culture as much as possible.

Assimilation Signup and view all the answers

A problem with the assimilation model of analysis of group relationships is that it:

Takes no account of the time that it takes certain groups to assimilate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is not a criticism of the assimilation model?

It does not account for language barriers between groups. Signup and view all the answers

A Latino family lives in a neighborhood with only other Latino families. This is referred to as:

Hypersegregation Signup and view all the answers

When an Amish family maintains its traditions in America, it is an example of:

Cultural pluralism Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about segregation in the U.S. is true?

De facto segregation still exists. Signup and view all the answers

William Julius Wilson believes the cause of the emergence of an urban underclass is:

Economic and social structural deficits in society. Signup and view all the answers

William Julius Wilson rejects the __________ explanation in favor of a social/economic explanation of racial differences.

Culture of poverty Signup and view all the answers

The major force behind the most progressive social change in race relations in the U.S. was:

The Civil Rights Movement. Signup and view all the answers

The Civil Rights Movement:

Was influenced by the philosophy of Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi. Signup and view all the answers

The landmark Supreme Court case that established that 'separate but equal' was unconstitutional was:

Brown v. Board of Education Signup and view all the answers

The Black Power movement of the late 1960s:

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

A social category of people who share a common culture is referred to as a(n):

Ethnic group Signup and view all the answers

In order for a group to be considered an ethnic group they must:

Share an identity they see as different from that of others in society Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding the variability of a group's ethnic identity is true?

Ethnic identity may form or is strengthened when a group is excluded from participation by more powerful social groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding race is true?

Race is a socially constructed category Signup and view all the answers

Racial groups are defined by:

How the groups have been treated historically Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of race differ between Brazil and the U.S.?

In the U.S., a person with any amount of Black ancestry has historically been designated as Black; this has not been the case in Brazil Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding the racial system in Brazil is false?

Brazil has successfully created a nation in which there is no social inequality based on race Signup and view all the answers

Sociologists refer to the process by which something or someone is perceived as having racial characteristics as:

Racialization Signup and view all the answers

John has a mixed-race background. He is most likely to experience which of the following?

He defies biological categories typically used to define race Signup and view all the answers

What is the current practice of the U.S. Census for reporting one's race?

A person may select as many racial categories as they feel apply to them Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about race is true?

Official recognition of race by the government matters Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important factor for determining the racial categories within any society?

The beliefs and interests of the most powerful group(s) in society Signup and view all the answers

In the 1890 U.S. Census, which of the following was not a racial classification?

Hispanic Signup and view all the answers

The historical process in any society by which a group comes to be defined as a race is called:

Racial formation Signup and view all the answers

The process of racial formation is supported by:

Social institutions Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an illustration of the concept of out-group homogeneity?

Members of a set of minority groups, such as Laotians, Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesians, are perceived as being similar enough to share a general category (Asian) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does not apply to all minority groups?

Being smaller in number than the dominant group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a racial or ethnic minority group?

Group members share common beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements regarding the judgments people make about others is false?

Most of the time the quick judgments that people make are remarkably comprehensive and accurate Signup and view all the answers

Stereotypes are:

Oversimplified statements of belief about members of a particular group Signup and view all the answers

Ryan is assumed to be like all Lebanese people by a teacher. He is experiencing:

Out-group homogeneity effect Signup and view all the answers

The principle states that we categorize people on the basis of what appears initially prominent and obvious about them:

Salience Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a salient characteristic specified by the text?

Tone of voice Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about salient characteristics?

Salient characteristics differ in various countries Signup and view all the answers

When it comes to gender stereotypes:

Stereotypes about women are more negative than those about men Signup and view all the answers

The principle of holds that stereotypes, especially negative ones, are often applied interchangeably from one group to another:

Stereotype interchangeability Signup and view all the answers

Jokes that use humor to stereotype a group as stupid or inept are often repeated substituting different ethnic groups. This is an example of the concept of:

Stereotype interchangeability Signup and view all the answers

A traditional stereotype of African Americans is that they are inherently lazy. This stereotype has also been applied to Hispanics, Polish, and Irish groups. This is an example of:

The principle of stereotype interchangeability Signup and view all the answers

In general, lower-income people are likely to attribute poverty and lower class status to individual disposition or personality, while middle-class people are more likely to attribute the cause of poverty to discrimination and lack of opportunity.

Middle-class people; lower-income people Signup and view all the answers

Prejudice is:

Usually negative Signup and view all the answers

___ is the evaluation of a social group based on misconceptions about the group.

Prejudice Signup and view all the answers

A prejudiced person is likely to have:

Positive attitudes towards members of an in-group and negative attitudes toward members of an out-group Signup and view all the answers

How do strongly prejudiced people end up that way?

Socialization into prejudiced attitudes occurs in the family, as well as through the media and peers Signup and view all the answers

Research on socialization into prejudiced attitudes indicates that:

There is a close correlation between the racial and ethnic attitudes of parents and those of their children Signup and view all the answers

While prejudice is an attitude, discrimination is:

Overt behavior Signup and view all the answers

Research on discrimination in housing has found that:

Members of minority groups are frequently turned down for housing in situations in which a White person is not Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about economic inequality is true?

The gap between the income of Whites and the income of Blacks and Hispanics has remained unchanged since 1967 Signup and view all the answers

Measurements of economic inequality indicate that:

The poverty rate is higher for Blacks and Hispanics than it is for Whites and Asians Signup and view all the answers

Re-drawing the boundaries of school districts and election districts in order to maintain racial segregation is called:

Gerrymandering Signup and view all the answers

As a result of gerrymandering, ______ remains a problem in the U.S.

Residential segregation Signup and view all the answers

Sociologists find that racism:

Is the perception and treatment of members of a racial group as inferior Signup and view all the answers

There are different forms of racism. Overt, obvious racism, such as physical violence or the use of racial slurs, is termed:

Old-fashioned racism Signup and view all the answers

Consistently avoiding contact with people of different races than one's own would be considered an example of:

Aversive racism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not an element of laissez-faire racism?

An inability to understand non-racist viewpoints Signup and view all the answers

Holding the belief that one does not notice racial differences, and that discussing race only perpetuates racism, would be considered:

Color-blind racism Signup and view all the answers

Blaming Blacks for economic inequality and resistance to policies that might alleviate racial oppression is considered:

Symbolic or laissez-faire racism Signup and view all the answers

If an administrator engages in institutional racism, he or she is able to apply which of the following?

Power Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best example of institutional discrimination?

Airport security procedures that specify people who appear to be Middle Eastern should be scrutinized more closely than others Signup and view all the answers

Educational tracking and racial profiling are both examples of:

Institutional racism Signup and view all the answers

___ is the psychological theory that argues that members of the dominant group vent their frustrations and aggressions toward minority groups instead of the real source of their frustration.

Scapegoat theory Signup and view all the answers

According to a fairly old psychological theory of prejudice and racism, the tendency to rigidly categorize other people, to rigidly conform, and be intolerant of ambiguity is part of a(n):

Authoritarian personality Signup and view all the answers

The assimilation perspective argues that in order to be full members of society, members of minority groups must adopt as many aspects of the dominant culture as possible. This perspective pertains to which type of sociological theory?

Functionalist theory Signup and view all the answers

Contact theory argues that under certain conditions interactions between Whites and members of minority groups will reduce prejudice within both groups. This theory is a type of theory:

Symbolic interactionist Signup and view all the answers

The process by which a minority becomes socially, economically, and culturally absorbed within the dominant society is called:

Assimilation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethnic and Racial Groups

A social category sharing common culture, language, or religion is termed an ethnic group.
To be classified as an ethnic group, individuals must share an identity perceived as distinct from others in society.
Ethnic identity can strengthen or form in response to exclusion by more powerful groups.

Race is socially constructed and not based on biological differences.
Racial classifications and perceptions can differ significantly between countries such as the U.S. and Brazil.
In Brazil, individuals with Black ancestry can be classified differently from those in the U.S., often based on socioeconomic status.

Racial Identity and Perception

Racialization refers to the process of assigning racial characteristics to individuals.
Mixed-race individuals may challenge traditional biological racial categories and define their own identity.
Current U.S. Census practices allow individuals to select multiple racial categories.

Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudice involves negative evaluations based on misconceptions about social groups.
Discrimination manifests as overt behavior against individuals based on their racial or ethnic identity.
Economic inequality is deeply rooted, with persistent racial disparities in income and opportunity.

Stereotypes and Group Dynamics

Stereotypes are oversimplified beliefs about group members that often misrepresent diversity within groups.
Out-group homogeneity effect describes the tendency to perceive all individuals in a minority group as similar.
Salient characteristics, like skin color and hair texture, often influence societal judgments about individuals.

Institutional racism refers to policies or practices that result in unequal treatment based on race.
Gerrymandering is a tactic used to maintain racial segregation within political and school districts.
Laissez-faire racism and color-blind racism reflect subtle, systemic discrimination and denial of racial differences.

Theoretical Perspectives on Race and Class

Functionalist theory suggests assimilation into the dominant culture is necessary for minority groups to gain full societal membership.
Contact theory posits that meaningful interaction between racial/ethnic groups can reduce prejudice if conditions of equality and sustained contact are met.
The intersection perspective examines how race, class, and gender together influence social experiences and opportunities.

Psychological Factors and Socialization

Individuals are socialized into prejudice through family influences and societal norms.
Research shows strong correlations between parental and children’s racial attitudes.
The authoritarian personality theory links rigid categorization of people and intolerance of ambiguity to prejudice.

Economic and Structural Inequality

Economic assessments reveal significant gaps in wealth and income among racial groups, with minorities generally experiencing higher poverty rates.
Scapegoat theory explains that frustration is often wrongly directed towards minority groups rather than the systemic issues causing economic hardship.

Key Concepts

Prejudice is usually negative, while discrimination is active behavior against a group.
Symbolic racism frames racial issues as individual failures rather than systemic barriers.
Assimilation and amalgamation represent different approaches to integration of minority groups into society.

These notes encapsulate the critical themes from the study material, focusing on the complexities of race and ethnicity in sociological discourse.### Theoretical Perspectives on Society

Functionalism emphasizes the stability and integration of society, viewing social institutions as vital for functioning.
Conflict theory posits that social change arises from organized movements against oppression, highlighting power dynamics and inequality.
Symbolic interaction theory focuses on individual interactions and the meanings behind them, particularly regarding race and ethnicity as social constructs.
Social exchange theory analyzes social behavior through the lens of cost and benefit, often critiquing relationships based on exchanges.

Native American Cultural and Historical Context

Native Americans exhibited heterogeneous cultures prior to European contact, with diverse languages and values.
European diseases dramatically reduced Native American populations, contributing to cultural devastation.

The Slavery System and African American Experiences

The belief that humans could be property was central to the operation of slavery, enabling systemic exploitation.
Elements of the slavery system still persist today, indicating ongoing racial inequalities and economic exploitation.

Latino Identity and Classification

The terms "Latino" and "Latina" may not fully capture the diversity of groups involved, reflecting cultural richness beyond the labels.
Puerto Rico functions as a commonwealth with its own constitution but is not considered a U.S. state.

Immigration and Population Dynamics

Mexican Americans' initial migration resulted from military conquest, significantly altering demographics.
Operation Bootstrap aimed to invite U.S. corporations to Puerto Rico, leading to rapid economic growth, while unemployment solutions in the 1970s included controversial methods like promoting sterilization.

Historical Immigration Laws and Policies

The 1913 Alien Land Law targeted Japanese immigrants, preventing property ownership and inheritance rights.
The National Origins Quota Act of 1924 limited the number of immigrants based on existing populations in the U.S., reflecting restrictive immigration policies.

Cultural Assimilation and Pluralism

Assimilation requires minority groups to adopt the dominant culture to overcome challenges, often disregarding the unique history of different racial groups.
Cultural pluralism allows groups to maintain their distinct traditions while coexisting within a larger society.

William Julius Wilson argues that urban underclass formation stems from societal structural deficits rather than cultural deficiencies.
The Civil Rights Movement, influenced by Gandhi's philosophy, became a significant force for social change in race relations, challenging deeply entrenched segregation and inequality.

Legal Milestones in Racial Equality

The Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education declared "separate but equal" unconstitutional, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against racial segregation.
The Black Power Movement sought to redefine identity and emphasize self-determination for African Americans, often rejecting assimilationist approaches.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts in Sociology Chapter 10 with these flashcards. This chapter explores the definitions and characteristics of various social categories, including ethnic groups and minority groups. Use these cards to reinforce your understanding of sociological principles and terms.