human diversity exam 2

theory

a systematic explanation of how or why something happens

social darwinism

belief that social inequality is “natural” and based on survival of the fittest

apartheid

system of racial segregation and oppression in south africa

marxist theory

society is shaped by class conflict between workers and owners

structural functionalism

society works like a system where each part has a function

assimilation theory

minority groups gradually adopt dominant culture

melting pot theory

all cultures blend into one unified culture

structural role theory

people behave according to roles shaped by social structures

contact theory

prejudice decreases when groups interact under the right conditions

cosmopolitanism

identity as global citizens valuing diveristy

pluralism/multiculturalism

multiple cultures coexist and are valued

postmodernism

challenges universal truths; emphasizes multiple perspectives

constructivism

people create meaning through social interaction

symbolic interactionalism

society is built through shared meanings and interactions

social identity theory

identity is shaped by group membership (in-groups vs out-groups)

narrative theory

people make sense of life through stories

critical race theory

racism is embedded in laws, institutions, and systems

indigenous theories

knowledge rooted in indigenous worldviews, community, land, and relationality

praxis

applying theory to action for social change

feminist theory

examines gender inequality and power

strengths/resiliency perspective

focus on clients’ abilities, resources, and resilience

person-in-environment perspective

individuals are shaped by their social, cultural, and environmental contexts

liberation pedagogy

education as a tool for empowerment and resisting oppression

homophily

tendency to associe

white privilege

unearned advantages given to white people in society

human capital theory

education/skills increase economic value

culturally grounded social work

practice rooted in clients’ cultural identities and community knowledge

colonialism

control over another group/land

annexation

taking territory

migration

movement of people

genocide

intent to destroy a group

expulsion

forcing a group out

secession

group breaks away

segregation

physical/social separation

amalgamation/fusion

groups blend into one

assimilation

minority adopts dominant culture

colorism

discrimination based on skin tone within the same racial group

jim crow laws/slave codes

laws enforcing racial segregation and controlling enslaved people

chicano/a

mexican-american identity emphasizing culture and activism

latinx

gender-neutral term for people of latin american origin