Description
Stereotypes Set by Culture and Society
Sociology came into existence in the 19th century to explain the enormous changes occasioned by the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, and an individualistic mind-set. Unlike agrarian communities, the emerging urban populations were large, numbering in the tens of thousands.
These city dwellers neither grew their own food nor knew each other. In characterizing individuals, they found it convenient to speak in categories or stereotypes. According to the structural-functional perspective, stereotypes served an important communication function, helping them to compare and contrast groups.
The social-conflict perspective, on the other hand, argues that stereotypes serve the needs of those groups and categories benefitting from social inequality. Stereotypes help dominant groups to contrast social categories and to justify subordinating the less powerful. Furthermore, by lumping subordinate groups into faceless statistical categories, members of the dominant group dissipate the guilt they would have felt were they dealing with the subordinate categories as individuals.
Based on your readings, the online lectures, and your understanding of the above-noted issues, prepare a response to the following question:
Is it possible to speak of ethnic groups in America in terms other than stereotypes?
Create a response in 3 paragraphs to the discussion question. Cite sources and include references in your response.
Explanation & Answer
Review
Review
24/7 Homework Help
Stuck on a homework question? Our verified tutors can answer all questions, from basic math to advanced rocket science!
Similar Content
Related Tags
The Splendid and The Vile
by Erik Larson
The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
The Lord of the Flies
by William Golding
Fast Food Nation
by Eric Schlosser
Orphan Train
by Christina Baker Kline
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Epic of Gilgamesh
by Unknown
Fences
by August Wilson