1. R ACE, E THNICITY AND THE S OCIAL S TRUCTURE Chapter 10, Section 1

2. R ACE Ascribed status Race= a category of people who share inherited physical characteristics and whom others see as being a distinct group. Hard to classify race– sociologists have been trying for years and still do not have a consensus.

3. E THNICITY Ascribed status Ethnicity= set of cultural characteristics that distinguishes one group from another. Ethnic group= people who share common cultural background and sense of identity. Factors included in ethnicity: National origin Religion Language Customs Values In the United States, some ethnicities have held onto traditions better than others.

4. M INORITY GROUPS No particular group of any characteristic is superior or inferior by nature; humans create these hierarchies. Those who hold power in societies value certain characteristics. Minority group= a group of people who, because of physical characteristics or cultural practices, are singled out or unequally treated. Idea by Louis Wirth

5. C HARACTERISTICS OF MINORITY GROUPS Must exhibit all of the following to be a minority group: Group possesses identifiable physical or cultural characteristics that differ from those of the dominant group. Group members are victims of unequal treatment at the hand of dominant group. Membership into group is an ascribed status. Group members share a bond and sense of loyalty. Members practice endogamy.

6. J ANE E LLIOT Jane Elliot tested this in her blue-eyed/brown- eyed experiment Took 28 students in class (third-graders) Eye color determined dominant group (either blue or brown) Rules for each group– privileges and incentives went to brown-eyed students. Reversed the experiment the next day. - You do not have to write this all down, just have a general understanding of the experiment!!! What do you think happened with the students?