SociologySociology

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Lecture QuestionsLecture Questions

Sections 1 & 2 (pages 232-246)Sections 1 & 2 (pages 232-246)

Revised Feb. 2011Revised Feb. 2011

1. How have people attempted 1. How have people attempted to group human beings into to group human beings into racial categories? How many racial categories? How many racial categories have some racial categories have some people come up with? What people come up with? What three groups have scholars three groups have scholars

usually agreed upon? How is usually agreed upon? How is each characterized?each characterized? Based on physical features Based on physical features

– Hair texture, skin color, & body structureHair texture, skin color, & body structure From two (2) categories to two From two (2) categories to two

hundred (200)hundred (200) Caucasoids, Monogoloids, NegroidsCaucasoids, Monogoloids, Negroids

Caucasoids, Mongoloids, & Caucasoids, Mongoloids, & NegroidsNegroids

CausasoidsCausasoids—— Whites, characterized by fair skin and Whites, characterized by fair skin and

straight or wavy hair.straight or wavy hair. MongoloidsMongoloids—— Asians, characterized by yellowish or Asians, characterized by yellowish or

brownish skin and by distinctive folds on the brownish skin and by distinctive folds on the eyelids.eyelids.

NegroidsNegroids—— Blacks, characterized by dark skin and Blacks, characterized by dark skin and

tightly curled hair. tightly curled hair.

2. Give some examples of how any classification system is very difficult to come up with.For example, how should the people of southern

India, with their Caucasoid-like facial features, dark skin color, and straight hair by classified?

How should Australian Aborigines, many of who have dark skin and blond tightly curled hair, be categorized?

It is difficult to classify people into clear-cut racial categories because people often possess the traits of more than one race.

There are no biologically “pure” races, thus a biological classification system is little use to sociologists.

3. In terms of race, what is important to sociologists?

How people react to these physical characteristics and how these reactions affect individuals in society.

Are people treated differently because of physical differences?

4. What is important in 4. What is important in determining ethnicity?determining ethnicity?

►Ethnicity is generally based on such Ethnicity is generally based on such cultural characteristics as national cultural characteristics as national origin, religion, language, customs, origin, religion, language, customs, and values.and values.

►American society consists of people of American society consists of people of many different cultural backgrounds.many different cultural backgrounds.

5. What is the difference between race and ethnicity?

• Race is usually associated with physical attributes.• Skin color, hair texture, etc.

• Ethnicity is related more to cultural background and common identity.• Common way of life of a group.

6. Using the picture on page 233, how do you think the diversity of race and ethnicity in the U.S. affects your community?

Opinion Racial and ethnic diversity enriches

the community’s culture.

7. How does sociologist 7. How does sociologist Louis Wirth define a Louis Wirth define a

minority group? Does minority group? Does minority group status have minority group status have

anything to do with anything to do with population size?population size?• A minority group is a group of people who—A minority group is a group of people who—

because of their physical characteristics or cultural because of their physical characteristics or cultural practices—are singled out and unequally treated.practices—are singled out and unequally treated.

• Minority group has nothing to do with group size, Minority group has nothing to do with group size, but rather with a group’s treatment by the but rather with a group’s treatment by the dominant group.dominant group.– Are they being treated equally?Are they being treated equally?– For example—in South Africa white people made up For example—in South Africa white people made up

about 15 % of the population during the second half of about 15 % of the population during the second half of the 1900s.the 1900s.• Yet, for much of that time, they dominated the lives of the other Yet, for much of that time, they dominated the lives of the other

racial groups in the country.racial groups in the country.

8. List three (3) characteristics 8. List three (3) characteristics that distinguish minority that distinguish minority

groups from other groups in groups from other groups in society.society.

• The group possesses identifiable physical or cultural characteristics that differ from those of the dominant group.

• Group members are the victims of unequal treatment at the hands of the dominant group.

• Membership in the group is an ascribed status.– Born into this group.

• Group members share a strong bond and sense of group loyalty.

• Members tend to practice endogamy—marriage within the group.

9. Using the case study on page 234, what were students’ reactions on the first day of the experiment? What were their reactions on the second day?

First day—The brown-eyed children seemed happy and alert, their work improved, and they acted as if they felt superior. The blue-eyed children seemed miserable, and their

work declined. Second day—The brown-eyed children behaved just

as the blue-eyed children had. However, the blue-eyed children were far less

unpleasant to the brown-eyed group than the latter had been to them.

10. Using the picture on page 238, how do you think discrimination and prejudice were factors in the opposition to desegregation?

Many white southerners were prejudiced against African Americans and used these prejudices to justify discrimination, such as the segregation of schools.

11. Is one particular skin color, physical feature, or ethnic background superior or inferior by nature? Explain your answer. NO !!!!!!! Prejudice and discrimination exist because

of the dominant group.

12. How do discrimination and 12. How do discrimination and prejudice differ?prejudice differ?

Prejudice is the attitude one has Prejudice is the attitude one has toward another group of people.toward another group of people. This is a learned behavior.This is a learned behavior.

Discrimination is the action to Discrimination is the action to deny equal treatment.deny equal treatment. Not being hired for a job or not Not being hired for a job or not

being able to rent an apartment.being able to rent an apartment.

13. Give three (3) examples of legal

discrimination.• Apartheid in South Africa.• Women in the U.S. before 1920,

when they gained the right to vote.

• Jim Crow Laws in the American South.

14. Give an example of 14. Give an example of institutionalized institutionalized discrimination.discrimination.

Outgrowth of the structure of society.Outgrowth of the structure of society. Denied access to good jobs or Denied access to good jobs or

housing because of discrimination.housing because of discrimination. Thus, are limited to low income areas of Thus, are limited to low income areas of

housing.housing. The result is poorly funded schools, The result is poorly funded schools,

which may result in minority group which may result in minority group members being kept from acquiring the members being kept from acquiring the skills needed to compete effectively in skills needed to compete effectively in the job market.the job market.

15. How are stereotype and self-fulfilling prophecy related? Explain.

A stereotype is an oversimplified, exaggerated, or unfavorable generalization about a group of people.

When stereotyping, an individual forms an image of a particular group and then applies that image to all members of that group. For example, hot-tempered Irish or dumb blonde.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

If people are told often enough that a particular group is inferior in some way, then people, including the stereotyped group, start believing this information.

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that results in behavior that makes the prediction come true.

16. How does racism differ 16. How does racism differ from prejudice and from prejudice and

discrimination?discrimination?

• Racism is the belief that one’s own race or ethnic group is naturally superior to other races or ethnic groups.

• Throughout history, racism has been used as a justification for atrocities such as slavery and genocide.– American slavery– Nazi Holocaust– American Indians

17. Using the chart on page 240, how might some sociologists consider this chart too simplified?

Because people’s attitudes and behaviors may change based on the situation.

Robert K. Merton— Active bigot-prejudiced person who discriminates Timid bigot-prejudiced person too afraid to discriminate

because of societal pressures Fair-weather liberal-nonprejudiced person who

discriminates All weather liberal-nonprejudiced person who does not

discriminates

18. Explain discrimination and 18. Explain discrimination and prejudice from the three broad prejudice from the three broad

categories.categories.

Sociological explanation—Sociological explanation—– Prejudice is learned through socializationPrejudice is learned through socialization

Culture, family, friends, etc.Culture, family, friends, etc.

Psychological explanation—Psychological explanation—– People are prejudiced because of a particular People are prejudiced because of a particular

kind of personalitykind of personality– Or prejudice may be the product of frustration Or prejudice may be the product of frustration

and angerand anger Scapegoating is blaming one’s troubles on an Scapegoating is blaming one’s troubles on an

innocent person or group.innocent person or group.

Economic explanationEconomic explanation

Prejudice rises out of competition for Prejudice rises out of competition for scarce resources.scarce resources.– Chinese in America in the second half of Chinese in America in the second half of

the 1800s.the 1800s.At first, they were welcomed as a source of At first, they were welcomed as a source of

inexpensive labor.inexpensive labor.However, when jobs became scarce, they However, when jobs became scarce, they

were viewed as economic competition.were viewed as economic competition.

19. Using the case study on 19. Using the case study on page 241, why, according to page 241, why, according to the authors of Community the authors of Community

Cohesion, do white people and Cohesion, do white people and nonwhite people in Britain live nonwhite people in Britain live “parallel lives?” Why do you “parallel lives?” Why do you think the recommendation to think the recommendation to establish a clear definition of establish a clear definition of British citizenship and to tie it British citizenship and to tie it

to an oath of allegiance caused to an oath of allegiance caused controversy?controversy?

Because they often have little contact and are ignorant of each Because they often have little contact and are ignorant of each other’s lives.other’s lives.

Because some Britons wondered who would have to take the oath Because some Britons wondered who would have to take the oath and who would decide what common values all Britons should and who would decide what common values all Britons should uphold.uphold.

20. Using the chart on page 242, what types of questions on cultural patterns might this chart lead a sociologist to pose?

Questions such as why various societies fall in different places along the continuum and how society’s place on the continuum affects different racial and ethnic groups.

Continuum of Minority Treatment Acceptance Cultural Pluralism-

• ethnic/racial variety encouraged Assimilation-

• culturally distinct groups blended into one common culture Legal Protection-

• minority rights protected by law Segregation-

• minority group physically separated Subjugation-

• dominant group controls through force Population Transfer-

• minority group moved to new location Extermination-

• minority group destroyed Rejection

21. What country is a great example of cultural pluralism? Why? This policy allows each group within

society to keep its unique cultural identity.

Switzerland has three official languages. French, German, and Italian

All three ethnic groups live peacefully and are extremely loyal to Switzerland.

None of the three groups has taken on a dominant or minority role.

22. How does assimilation 22. How does assimilation work? What is a “melting work? What is a “melting pot?” Has this worked in the pot?” Has this worked in the U.S.? Why or why not?U.S.? Why or why not?

In many societies, racial and ethnic minorities In many societies, racial and ethnic minorities attempt to hold onto some of their unique attempt to hold onto some of their unique cultural features.cultural features.

The blending of culturally distinct groups into a The blending of culturally distinct groups into a single group is assimilation.single group is assimilation.

This has worked with limited success in the This has worked with limited success in the U.S.U.S.

Over time, the various groups within society Over time, the various groups within society exchange many cultural traits as a natural exchange many cultural traits as a natural outcome of daily interaction.outcome of daily interaction.

23. Give several examples of how 23. Give several examples of how legal protection is used to ensure legal protection is used to ensure

the rights of minority groups.the rights of minority groups. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (U.S.)The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (U.S.)

Declared segregation illegal.Declared segregation illegal. Voting Rights Act of 1965 (U.S.)Voting Rights Act of 1965 (U.S.) Affirmative action programs in the U.S. are Affirmative action programs in the U.S. are

another example of legal efforts to achieve another example of legal efforts to achieve equal rights.equal rights.

These programs are designed to correct These programs are designed to correct past imbalances in the educational and past imbalances in the educational and employment opportunities given to minority employment opportunities given to minority groups.groups.

24. What is segregation? What is 24. What is segregation? What is the difference between de jure the difference between de jure

segregation and de facto segregation and de facto segregation?segregation?

Policies that physically separate a minority group from Policies that physically separate a minority group from the dominant group.the dominant group.

Under segregation, the minority group is forbidden to Under segregation, the minority group is forbidden to live in the same areas as the dominant group and live in the same areas as the dominant group and cannot use the same public facilities.cannot use the same public facilities.

Segregation was openly practiced and legally in the U.S. Segregation was openly practiced and legally in the U.S. until the 1960suntil the 1960s

De jure segregation—based on laws.De jure segregation—based on laws. South AfricaSouth Africa De facto segregation—based on informal norms.De facto segregation—based on informal norms. U.S. South—Jim Crow lawsU.S. South—Jim Crow laws

25. What is subjugation? How is slavery related to it? How was Apartheid a form of subjugation? Maintaining control over a group through

force. Slavery is the ownership of another person. Political and economic power rested in the

hands of the white few and was rigidly maintained through force.

26. Give examples of population transfer being used as a treatment of minority groups.

Resettlement of American Indians on reservations in the 1800s.

Direct population transfers may also involve expelling the group from the country.

In the 1750s, the British authorities in Canada, expelled the Acadians,(a French-speaking minority) from Nova Scotia.

A more recent example is the forceful removal of the Asian population from Uganda in 1972.

27. Give examples of how extermination being used as a treatment of minority groups.

The most extreme response to the existence of minority groups within a country.

When the goal of extermination is the intentional destruction of the entire targeted population, it is referred to as genocide.

Holocaust (Final Solution) during WWII. Rwanda (Hutus/Tutsis) Cambodia (Khmer Rouge)

Ethnic Cleansing—practice of removing a group from a particular area through terror, expulsion, and mass murder.

Early 1998, Serbia.

28. Using the story on page 245, 28. Using the story on page 245, why did white Californians feel why did white Californians feel resentment toward Japanese resentment toward Japanese

Americans? Put yourself in the Americans? Put yourself in the place of the Japanese American place of the Japanese American internees. How would you feel internees. How would you feel about your treatment? What about your treatment? What

would your feelings toward other would your feelings toward other Americans and the U.S. Americans and the U.S.

government be? Give reasons government be? Give reasons for your answers.for your answers. Some resented the economic success of some Japanese Americans.Some resented the economic success of some Japanese Americans.

They lost property and businesses and were forced to stay in primitive They lost property and businesses and were forced to stay in primitive internment camps.internment camps.

SociologySociology

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Lecture QuestionsLecture Questions

Section 3 (pages 247-257)Section 3 (pages 247-257)

1. What is a WASP?

• Gunnar Myrdal examined the issue of race relations in the U.S. (1944)

• He said there is a gap between what Americans claim to believe and how they actually behave.

• Although Americans express support for equality, freedom, dignity, of the individual, and inalienable rights, they have not lived up to these ideas.• Enslavement/segregation of African-Americans• Placing Native Americans on reservations• Internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII

• This conflict between ideals and actions dates back to our earliest colonists.

• These early settlers provided the image of what many people think of as the typical American.• White, Anglo-Saxon (northern Europe) descent, and Protestant.

(WASP)

2. How large is the African 2. How large is the African American population?American population?

• 2010 Census2010 Census– 12.8% of the U.S. population12.8% of the U.S. population– 35 million people35 million people

• According to the Census Bureau, by 2035 According to the Census Bureau, by 2035 there will be 50 million African Americans there will be 50 million African Americans making up 14.3 % of the population.making up 14.3 % of the population.

• Greatest concentration of African Greatest concentration of African American population is in Southeast, American population is in Southeast, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland.South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland.

3. What other groups have been compared with in relationship to prejudice and discrimination?

With the possible exceptions of American Indians and women, no other American minority group has suffered such a long history of prejudice and discrimination.

First brought to this country as slaves in the early 1600s, African Americans have only recently gained an economic and political foothold in American society.

4. How did African Americans come to the U.S.?

Arrived as slaves in the early 1600s. It wasn’t until the civil rights

movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought significant gains for African Americans.

5. How has the treatment of African Americans in the U.S. improved in the last 30 years? Where do they still lag behind other Americans? Number of African Americans completing high school is now only a few

points lower than white Americans. 24% of employed African Americans now hold managerial or

professional. (35% white Americans) 41% of African American households have middle-class incomes. Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the number of

elected African American officials has jumped from 200 to nearly 9000. The percentage of African Americans completing four or more years of

college is just more than half that of white Americans. African American family income averages about 64% of white family income. The percentage of African American families living below the poverty line is

almost three times that of white families. The unemployment rate among African Americans is more than twice as high

as the unemployment rate among white workers.

6. How many Hispanic Americans do we now have?

37.4 million 16.3% Largest minority group in the U.S. Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or

Central American or other Spanish culture. According to the U.S. census, by 2040 there

will be 87.5 million Hispanic individuals, comprising 22.3% of the population.

States with the greatest concentration of Hispanics are New Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Florida.

7. Using the chart on page 248, how many more Hispanics are of Mexican origin than Puerto Rican?

58.3 %

8. Using the table on page 249, what Hispanic group had the highest percent of high school completion? What was the median family income for that group? What occupation does the greatest number of Hispanic women hold?

Other 71.1 %

Median family income--$35,264

Technical, sales, and administrative support

9. What are the six largest groups of Asian Americans? What percentage of the U.S. population does Asian Americans make up?

Chinese Filipino Indian Korean Vietnamese Japanese 4.8% of the U.S. population

10 million people By 2050, this population will grow to 37.6 million,

roughly 9.3 % of the population. States with greatest concentration are Hawaii,

California, Washington, New Jersey, and New York.

10. When was the second wave of Asian immigration into this country? First wave of Asian immigration came in the mid 1800s with Chinese

workers brought in to work gold mines and railroads. They faced discrimination when the economy slowed. In response, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. This act ended Chinese immigration until the 1940s.

The second wave began in 1890 when Japanese workers came to Hawaii and California in search of work. The majority of these immigrants were employed as agricultural

workers. Labor competition son resulted in discrimination. In 1905, an anti-Japanese movement began. Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1924. This set Asian immigration quotas at nearly zero.

11. When was the third wave of Asian immigration into this country? It was ushered in with the passage of the

McCarran-Walter Act of 1952. This act allowed Asians to enter the U.S.

on the basis of national quotas and eligibility for citizenship.

12. Using the map on page 252, how does immigration in the last decade of the 1900s differ from immigration in the first decade?

In the first decade of the 1900s, southern and eastern Europe were the areas of origin of most immigrants.

In the last decade the chief sources of immigration were Latin America and Asia.

13. What happened to the 13. What happened to the American Indian population American Indian population from the 1500s until the late from the 1500s until the late

1800s?1800s? Disease, warfare, and the destruction of Disease, warfare, and the destruction of

traditional ways of life decimated the traditional ways of life decimated the American Indian population.American Indian population.

Numbers estimate a population of Numbers estimate a population of several million prior to European several million prior to European settlement.settlement.

By 1890 that number had dropped to By 1890 that number had dropped to approximately 228,000. Can you say approximately 228,000. Can you say GENOCIDE?GENOCIDE?

14. What is the present 14. What is the present population of American population of American Indians in this country?Indians in this country?

According to the 2000 census, Native According to the 2000 census, Native American population is about 2.5 million.American population is about 2.5 million.

This is 0.9% of American population.This is 0.9% of American population. Modest growth is expected by 2065, with Modest growth is expected by 2065, with

numbers estimated to be close to 5 million.numbers estimated to be close to 5 million. States with the greatest concentration are States with the greatest concentration are

Alaska, Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Alaska, Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota.Oklahoma, South Dakota.

15. List two statistics that 15. List two statistics that reflect the American Indian reflect the American Indian

today in the U.S.today in the U.S. Approximately 50% of the Native American workforce Approximately 50% of the Native American workforce

on or near the reservations is unemployed.on or near the reservations is unemployed. Some 31% of all Native Americans live below the Some 31% of all Native Americans live below the

poverty line.poverty line. About 30% of those employed have incomes below the About 30% of those employed have incomes below the

poverty line.poverty line. The rate of alcohol-related deaths among Native The rate of alcohol-related deaths among Native

Americans is about 7 times higher than among the Americans is about 7 times higher than among the general population.general population.

The suicide rate is about 1.5 times higher among The suicide rate is about 1.5 times higher among Native Americans as it is among all other Americans.Native Americans as it is among all other Americans. It is the second leading cause of death among Native It is the second leading cause of death among Native

Americans aged 15-24.Americans aged 15-24. Only about 66 % of Native Americans aged 25 and over Only about 66 % of Native Americans aged 25 and over

have graduated from high school, and less than 10 % have graduated from high school, and less than 10 % have graduated from college.have graduated from college.

Why?Why? Native American problems, in large part, are the result of Native American problems, in large part, are the result of

a history of changing governmental policies.a history of changing governmental policies. During the early years of contact, the government took During the early years of contact, the government took

Native American lands by force and through treaties.Native American lands by force and through treaties. In the late 1800s, a new policy made Native Americans In the late 1800s, a new policy made Native Americans

wards of the U.S. government, and most were moved to wards of the U.S. government, and most were moved to reservations.reservations.

The government also created policies aimed at assimilating The government also created policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into white society.Native Americans into white society. Men were encouraged to become farmers, even though many Men were encouraged to become farmers, even though many

were traditionally hunters or herders.were traditionally hunters or herders. Land was redistributed.Land was redistributed. Children were separated from their parents and sent to Children were separated from their parents and sent to

boarding schools.boarding schools. Those who adopted “white ways” were granted U.S. Those who adopted “white ways” were granted U.S.

citizenship.citizenship. However, the rest of the Native American population—about one However, the rest of the Native American population—about one

third of the total—did not gain citizenship until 1924.third of the total—did not gain citizenship until 1924.

16. Using pages 254-255, how 16. Using pages 254-255, how has the immigration of the has the immigration of the

1990s affected the social and 1990s affected the social and economic life of the U.S.?economic life of the U.S.?

Schools have adopted programs to help Schools have adopted programs to help immigrant students, such as bilingual immigrant students, such as bilingual education and ESL programs.education and ESL programs.

Religious diversity has increased.Religious diversity has increased. Many immigrants have become entrepreneurs Many immigrants have become entrepreneurs

and opened their own business.and opened their own business. Some companies have targeted their Some companies have targeted their

advertising and products to specific immigrant advertising and products to specific immigrant groups.groups.

17. Using the table on page 256, 17. Using the table on page 256, how many more immigrants come how many more immigrants come to the U.S. from Mexico than from to the U.S. from Mexico than from

Canada?Canada?

163,709163,709

18. Who are white ethnics? When did they come to the U.S.? Immigrants from the mainly Catholic countries of Ireland,

Italy, France, Poland, and Greece. They entered the U.S. in great numbers during the 1800s

and early 1900s. As many of the immigrant groups, white ethnics faced

prejudice and discrimination based on their culture.• Anti-Catholic riots were common.

• Were often told “only Americans need apply” when looking for work.• Most work was generally in the lowest-paying and least

prestigious jobs.