Ethnicity Key Concepts

Race

Refers to the catergorisation of people based on physical characteristics such as skin colour, eye shape, hair type and bone structure.

Ethnicity

refers to a shared heritage and way of life

Othering

is a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labelled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group; it plays a role in the formation of prejudice against people and groups.

Experience of Ethnicity 

Refers to how people feel and interact with a group of which they are a member, including their sense of belonging and inclusion.

Cultural Hybridity

Is a theory as informed by Stuart Hall, that describes the sense of ethnic diversity seen in dual or multiple ethnic identities 

Comparative methodology

Refers to analysis involving the similarities and differences in experience between cultures across countries 

Multiculturalism

Is the practice of several difference culture’s coexisting peacefully an equitably in a single country

Contemporary concept of multiculturalism

The name of a government policy throughout Australia with emphasises inclusion of cultural groups.

Multicultural

a society comprised of many cultures - Australia

Preventers

refers to factors that limit, obstruct or make it difficult for an individual or group to feel safe and included in multicultural Australia.

Enablers

refers to factors that encourage, promote or make it possible for an individual or group to feel safe and included in multicultural society. 

Belonging

refers to the emotional experience of feeling secure and supported within a group. It includes the feelings of acceptance and inclusion amongst members of a particular society.

Inclusion

refers to individuals or groups having resources, opportunities and capabilities to learn, work, engage and have a voice in society

Cultural practices

refers to the customs and traditions that are unique to a certain ethnic group. They could include religious practices, traditions beliefs, forms of art, dietary habits and aspects of family life

Customs

Include participating in festivals, maintaining more than one language, religious practices and eating unique food.

Traditions 

are cultural practices that occurs regularly across time

Media

refers to various forms of communication used to transmit information, entertainment or ideas to a large audience, print, digital or electronic 

Media representation

refers to the form and nature of the depiction of an ethnic group

Political factors

refers to aspects of a structure, organisation and policies of a government or political systems that can influence society and individual behaviour

Ethical methodology 

refers to the process used to conduct socially responsible research, including people who have agreed to take part, after being provided with information about the study, whose privacy is protected. The guidelines are outlined by The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)

Voluntary Participation

refers to the willing involvement of research participants, including the awareness of their right to refuse participation in a research project without having to give a reason or justify their decision.

Informed consent

refers to the formal agreement of an individual to participate in a research project

Privacy

refers to the use of methods, such as disguising personal identities in written and oral reports of the research, to protect the identity of participants

Confidentiality of data

Refers to protecting the data gathered from research participants and storing it carefully and securely.