SOC 134 Lecture 3: Three
21 Mar 2019
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Document Summary
Social environment and brain chemistry: race and ethnic. Those socialized by parents, peers, or subgroups with deep racial/ethnic prejudices. Those social experiences can literally alter our brain chemistry in ways that make it extremely difficult to undo biased and hateful feelings towards the "other" But even people who believe deeply in racial/ethnic inclusion and equality can have implicit racial biases. Can inform and alter our behavior even if we"re not aware. Most nations (past and present) are defined to a large extent by ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and/or religious identities. The myth of american "exceptionalism" claims that the us was/is "different" Our national identity is supposedly based on liberty and freedom for individuals seeking opportunity and a better life. Ethnic/national ancestry or religious affiliations were supposedly irrelevant to citizenship and or national identity. Ethnic/racial categories have always been central components of us history and our national development. Enslavement of africans is the most obvious example.
