Reflection

Scientist Craig Venter found that race is a social concept, not a scientific one. All humans share

the same basic genetic material, and physical manifestations. Skin color represent different

combinations of the same genes, only in greater and lesser degrees. Racial group is term that is

used to identify one group from another, based on physical differences. On the other hand, to

identify groups of people based on national origin or cultural patterns we use the term ethnic

group. Sociologists believe that the distinction between these groups play a major role in society.

Prejudice and discrimination are two practices that justify exclusion within racial and ethnic

groups. Prejudice is a negative attitude toward an entire category of people. It is often directed

towards an ethnic or racial minority with false assumptions. Racism is one example of prejudice

which is the belief that one race is supreme and all others are inferior. Prejudice is also one cause

to discrimination which results in the denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and

groups because of prejudice reasons. Discrimination allows for dominant groups in society to

take advantage of privileges at the expense of minority groups.

Inequality is preserved through discrimination and prejudice inflicted by dominant groups.

Sociologists have stated their theories on how dominant groups benefit from these acts. The

exploitation theory describes that racism keeps minorities in low-paying jobs, although not

necessarily intentionally. The contact hypothesis theory found that the when individuals of

interracial groups must cooperate together they are in the position to learn about each other and

discard the broad generalizations.

It is how society reacts to racial and ethnic differences that will depend on the results of those

actions. Six characteristic patterns of intergroup relations of various actions of dominant groups

and the responses from...