Sociology Race Unit

Race

A group of people who have been identified as having real or alleged physical characteristics.

Ethnicity

Refers to people who share common cultural characteristics and ethnic identity

Minority

A group that has less power than the dominant group

Prejudice

An attitude which predisposes an individual to prejudge entire categories of people unfairly

Discrimination

Is a behavior resulting in unfair, unequal, or harmful treatment based upon a prejudice

Stereotype

A riding and often inaccurate image that summarizes a belief

Salience Principle

We categorize people on the basis of what appears initially prominent and obvious

Institutional Discrimination

Discriminatory practices often become an integral part of the social practices and institutions of a society

Assimilation

Refers to the blending of a culture and structure of one racial or ethnic group with the culture and structure of another

Racism

The belief that one racial category is innately superior or inferior to another