Soc 215 Final Exam
What does it mean to say race is socially constructed - correct answer There is no
genetic basis for race - it is socially defined on the basis of arbitrary physical characteristics
What is racial formation and how does it work - correct answer Process by which
society is continually creating and transforming racial categories. Driven by political interest, used to
look at race as being socially constructed. The content/importance of racial categories are determined
by social/economic/political forces
Example: White people separate themselves from African Americans and other minorities. They place
themselves above any class and are associated with power and freedom
Race - correct answer Socially defined group of people who are generally
considered to be physically distinct in some way (skin color, hair texture)
Ethnicity - correct answer Generally recognized by themselves or others as a distinct
group, based on social or cultural characteristics such as nationality, language, religion
Why do we measure race and ethnicity? - correct answer They change over time
based on social construction, help permit measurement of school segregation, racial inequalities in
income and employment, and other indicators of discrimination
Majority Group - correct answer holds the most wealth, power, and status
regardless of size (dominant)
Minority Group - correct answer any group that is inferior in society, they are
discriminated against by those in the majority (subordinate)
Racial/ethnic composition of the current population - correct answer 2/3 of
Americans are Non-hispanic Whites
,Hispanics are largest minority group
African Americans are second largest minority group
Individual Racism - correct answer Any behavior by an individual that leads to
unequal treatment
Institutional Racism - correct answer arrangements or practices in social institutions
that tend to favor one group over another
Can be de jure or de facto
De Jure segregation - correct answer intentional and written into law
De facto segregation - correct answer not written into law (school segregation,
school calendars)
Ideological racism - correct answer belief that some races are biologically,
intellectually, or culturally inferior to others (scientific racism, social darwinism)
Symbolic racism - correct answer Aka conative, opposition to progressive social
policies and denial of existing racial inequalities (fair-weather liberals)
What are the primary causes for racial inequality? - correct answer Institutional
racism - goes back centuries, integrated into law
Explain Adorno's research findings related to Authoritarian Personality - correct answer
Strict Child rearing practices and strong adherence to authority lead to frustration, scapegoating,
projection.
Authoritarianism increases with instability at the individual/collective level
, Scapegoating - correct answer Taking out feelings of frustration/aggression on
someone other than the true source
Projection - correct answer To minimize, avoid, or deny undesirable characteristics
in oneself by exaggerating those same characteristics in others
Cognitive Prejudice - correct answer An exaggerated belief associated with a
category of people
Conative Prejudice - correct answer Behavioral
Affective Prejudice - correct answer Attitude
Ethnocentrism - correct answer A tendency to view one's own group as the norm
and therefore superior
Prejudice - correct answer tendency to think of/react to everyone based on their
particular category
Discrimination - correct answer The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different
categories of people on the grounds of race, age, sex
What are the best strategies to removing prejudice? - correct answer Persuasive
Communication
Education
Intergroup Contact
Simulation/Experimental Exercises
Therapy
Persuasive Communication - correct answer Any communication intended to
influence attitudes, beliefs, or behavior
Can reduce prejudice, but more effective in reinforcing open-mindedness
What does it mean to say race is socially constructed - correct answer There is no
genetic basis for race - it is socially defined on the basis of arbitrary physical characteristics
What is racial formation and how does it work - correct answer Process by which
society is continually creating and transforming racial categories. Driven by political interest, used to
look at race as being socially constructed. The content/importance of racial categories are determined
by social/economic/political forces
Example: White people separate themselves from African Americans and other minorities. They place
themselves above any class and are associated with power and freedom
Race - correct answer Socially defined group of people who are generally
considered to be physically distinct in some way (skin color, hair texture)
Ethnicity - correct answer Generally recognized by themselves or others as a distinct
group, based on social or cultural characteristics such as nationality, language, religion
Why do we measure race and ethnicity? - correct answer They change over time
based on social construction, help permit measurement of school segregation, racial inequalities in
income and employment, and other indicators of discrimination
Majority Group - correct answer holds the most wealth, power, and status
regardless of size (dominant)
Minority Group - correct answer any group that is inferior in society, they are
discriminated against by those in the majority (subordinate)
Racial/ethnic composition of the current population - correct answer 2/3 of
Americans are Non-hispanic Whites
,Hispanics are largest minority group
African Americans are second largest minority group
Individual Racism - correct answer Any behavior by an individual that leads to
unequal treatment
Institutional Racism - correct answer arrangements or practices in social institutions
that tend to favor one group over another
Can be de jure or de facto
De Jure segregation - correct answer intentional and written into law
De facto segregation - correct answer not written into law (school segregation,
school calendars)
Ideological racism - correct answer belief that some races are biologically,
intellectually, or culturally inferior to others (scientific racism, social darwinism)
Symbolic racism - correct answer Aka conative, opposition to progressive social
policies and denial of existing racial inequalities (fair-weather liberals)
What are the primary causes for racial inequality? - correct answer Institutional
racism - goes back centuries, integrated into law
Explain Adorno's research findings related to Authoritarian Personality - correct answer
Strict Child rearing practices and strong adherence to authority lead to frustration, scapegoating,
projection.
Authoritarianism increases with instability at the individual/collective level
, Scapegoating - correct answer Taking out feelings of frustration/aggression on
someone other than the true source
Projection - correct answer To minimize, avoid, or deny undesirable characteristics
in oneself by exaggerating those same characteristics in others
Cognitive Prejudice - correct answer An exaggerated belief associated with a
category of people
Conative Prejudice - correct answer Behavioral
Affective Prejudice - correct answer Attitude
Ethnocentrism - correct answer A tendency to view one's own group as the norm
and therefore superior
Prejudice - correct answer tendency to think of/react to everyone based on their
particular category
Discrimination - correct answer The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different
categories of people on the grounds of race, age, sex
What are the best strategies to removing prejudice? - correct answer Persuasive
Communication
Education
Intergroup Contact
Simulation/Experimental Exercises
Therapy
Persuasive Communication - correct answer Any communication intended to
influence attitudes, beliefs, or behavior
Can reduce prejudice, but more effective in reinforcing open-mindedness
