Social Problems Chapter 8 Terms

Biological characteristic

An inherited, rather than learned, characteristic

Disfranchise

To deprive of the right to vote

Ethnic group

People who have a shared historical and cultural background that leads them to identify with each other

Exploitation

Use or manipulation of people for one's own advantage or profit

Institutional racism

Policies and practices of social institutions that tend to perpetuate racial discrimination

Life chances

The probability of gaining certain advantages defined as desirable, such as long life and health

Prejudice

A rigid, emotional attitude that legitimates discriminatory behavior toward people in a group

Race

A group of people distinguished from other groups by their origin in a particular part of the world

Racism

The belief that some racial groups are inherently inferior to others

Stealth racism

Hidden or subtle acts of prejudice and discrimination that may be apparent only to the victim