SOC102H1 Chapter Notes -American'S Creed, Ethnic Enclave, An American Dilemma
Document Summary
Functionalist"s perspective (social inequality provides incentives in the form of status that prompt people to take on the most important social roles. Inequality between racial and ethnic groups has a social purpose. Ethnic identity provides people with roots and social connectedness in an otherwise fragmented society. Ethnic identity benefits society since it allows for discussion of more widely varying opinions and perspectives (survival value) Focus on how one group (powerful group) benefits more than another from differentiation, exclusion, and institutional racism. Proposes that majority of groups seek to dominate minorities, to gain an economic advantage so they feel superior eg. chinese immigration limited in fear that cheap chinese labourers would cause people to lose jobs. Symbolic interactionist"s perspective (focus on micro social aspects of race and discrimination. Eg. the ways people construct different ethnic differences o subordinate groups) Racial socialization: learning to perceive people (including ourselves) according to presumed racial differences.
