Sociology: Ethnicity and National identity

What is Ethnicity?

Ethnicity is a type of social identity based on your shared cultural background.

What effect can ethnicity have on us?

Ethnicity can provide us with a sense of belonging, but also as an outsider, making us distinguish between ‘us’ and ‘them’ leading to racism ect.

What did theorist Modood (1997) suggest about African Caribbeans?

Modood (1997) found that African-Caribbeans living in the UK were likely to mention skin colour as part of their ethnicity,

What is a Hybrid Identity?

Hybrid Identities are a cross between two or more influences, mostly seen with ethnicity and nationality e.g. Brasain or Blasian.

What do Postmodernists refer to hybridity as?

Postmodernists view hybridity as the mixing of two or more cultures in a ‘pick and mix’ view to creating our identity.

What did theorist Modood (1997) suggest about hybrid identities?

Modood (1997) suggested that although many British minority ethnic groups identities (hybridity) are changing in younger gen, traditional values, customs and rituals are still important in forming ethnic identities e.g.many 16-34yr old Pakistani Bangladeshis still have spouse chosen by their parents.

What does Nationality mean?

Nationality refers to the identity of a whole country.

What did Anderson (1983) suggest about nationality?

Anderson (1983) suggested that a “nation” is an “imagined community” as members of a nation wont typically meet most of their fellow members, so nationality is constructed through symbols like flags, anthems or rituals.

What did Postmodernist Marshall McLuhan come up with regarding national identity?

Marshall McLuhan came up with the idea of a “Global Village” due to globalisation, meaning the world is getting smaller (metaphorically) through technological advancements, so some may argue that “nation” isnt a main influence to our identity.

What terms did Stuart Hall (1999) come up with about countries reaction to globalisation?

Stuart Hall (1999) came up with the terms: Cultural Homogenisation, Cultural Hybridity and Cultural defence/Resistance.

What does Cultural Homogenisation mean?

Cultural Homogenisation means the acceptance of global culture and all countries becoming similar.

What does Cultural Hybridity mean?

Cultural Hybridity means taking parts of global culture but also parts of traditional culture to form a “new hybrid culture”.

What does Cultural defence/Resistance mean?

Cultural defence/resistance means resisting global culture to protect Their cultural heritage, thus becoming more traditional and nationalistic.

What does the term ‘Americanisation’ mean?

Americanisation refers to to growing American culture spreading globally e.g US programs like family guy.