Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity P2

What did Richard LaPiere study?

He studied prejudice and discrimination toward Chinese people by traveling with a Chinese couple to restaurants.

What were LaPiere's findings?

Nearly every restaurant served the Chinese couple, but later many restaurant owners said in questionnaires that Chinese people were not welcome.

How did Robert Merton explain LaPiere's findings?

Merton argued that prejudice and discrimination do not always occur together. Someone can be prejudiced without discriminating, or discriminate without being personally prejudiced.

What are the different type of discriminations?

• Individual discrimination

• Direct institutional discrimination

• Indirect institutional discrimination

What is individual discrimination?

When one person unfairly treats another person because of race, ethnicity, gender, or another characteristic.

What is direct institutional discrimination?

The intentional unequal treatment of an individual or a
group that is supported by laws and policies.

What is direct institutional discrimination sometimes called?

legal discrimination but it is not always legal

Examples of direct institutional discrimination

Jim Crow laws, and Denny’s discriminated against black customers in the 1990s. This was illegal.

What became common after the Denny's discrimination lawsuit?

Equal Opportunity Statements became common. They state that schools and workplaces will not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

What is indirect institutional discrimination?

The unintentional unequal treatment of an individual or a group that is supported by laws and policies.

What example was used to explain indirect institutional discrimination?

The NYPD hiring process was used as an example. Women were evaluated using the same physical standards as men, causing many qualified women to be unfairly excluded even though the discrimination was unintentional.

What are the theories that are used to explain prejudice and discrimination?

1. Scapegoating theory

2. Authoritarian Personality Theory

3. Exploitation Theory

4. Linguistic Theory

5. Cultural Transmission Theory

What is scapegoat theory?

People blame another person or group for society's problems.

What may Scapegoating theory be referred to as?

frustration-aggression hypothesis

What is an example of scapegoat theory?

The Holocaust is an example. Jews were blamed
for Europe’s failing economy.

What is authoritarian personality theory? (1950)

Adorno believed prejudiced people often share personality traits after interviewing 200 Americans

What are the traits people share according to personality theory?

• Intolerant of others.

• Rigid in their way of thinking

• Submissive to authority

• Extreme conformists
  

Define Intolerant of others

They generally do not like people outside of their race

What does it mean they are rigid in their way of thinking?

They refuse to see another person’s point of view, especially if it contradicts their way of thinking.

What is submissive to authority?

They will blindly follow authority figures or leaders without questioning them.

What is extreme conformists?

They will not deviate from the norms of society

What is exploitation theory?

Influenced by Karl Marx, it argues that minority groups are oppressed to provide cheap labor.

EX: Slavery.

What is linguistic theory?

Language reflects and reinforces the subordinate status of minority groups.

Example of linguistic theory?

Referring to women as “ladies”. The word “lady” was
used to oppress women. Once upon a time being “lady-like” meant that women could not be scientists, play sports or even wear pants.

What is cultural transmission theory?

Katz and Braly argued that stereotypes are learned through agents of socialization like family, schools, and media.

Who did Katz and Braly study for the cultural transmission theory?

• They studied Ivy League students and Anti-Semitism—this refers to prejudice/discrimination aimed at Jewish people.

• In their study, Katz and Braly found that these
  students had internalized stereotypes about Jewish people-most of them did not even know a Jewish person!

Why does race fit symbolic interactionism?

Because race is a social construct whose meaning is created through social interaction

What is symbolic ethnicity?

This is when one’s ethnicity is relevant on special occasions.

What is an example of symbolic ethnicity?

On St. Patrick’s Day, people may put their Irish identity on display

What is situational ethnicity?

When we assert ethnicity in some situations and downplay it in others.

Situational ethnicity involves what that symbolic ethnicity does not?

It involves a cost-benefit analysis. We take into consideration each situation to determine whether or not it favors our ethnicity.

What does symbolic interactionism focus on?

It focuses on social interactions and how meanings are created through everyday behavior and communication.

What are microaggressions?

These are verbal and nonverbal forms of communication that may convey subtle racism

What are some examples of microaggressions?

A white woman who clutches her purse when a
Black man walks by. Touching a Black person’s hair.

Who was O.J. Simpson?

He was the prime suspect in the murder of his ex-
wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

How did O.J Simpson an example of microaggression?

His mug shot appeared on the cover of Time and Newsweek at the same time. It was quickly noted that the Time cover was altered to make Simpson appear “more sinister”

What is passing?

Presenting oneself as a member of a different group other than the minority group that one is a part of.

What is an example of passing?

Greg Williams earlier in our discussion. I mentioned
that his black grandmother had passed as Italian since it interracial marriage was illegal.

Who was Rachel Dolezal?

was a white woman who had “passed” as a black woman She modified her skin and hair so that she. could present herself as a Black woman.

How is Rachel Dolezal an example of passing?

She “passed” herself as a black woman

What does social conflict theory focus on?

focuses on social inequality. It also looks at how one group can dominate or control another group.

What is cultural appropriation?

is using cultural elements (ex. clothing, religious symbols) without permission from the minority group.

What is the slang term used to describe
people who exploit other cultures?

“Culture vulture”

Name an example of cultural appropriation

Wearing Native American artifacts as Halloween costumes.

What is white privilege?

Peggy McIntosh described white privilege as advantages people receive simply because they belong to the dominant racial group.

Examples of white privilege?

• Not being followed by store security.

• Not having your credit questioned.

• Not being asked if you earned credit because of your race.