HIS 206
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3 different theoretical perspectives:
◦ Functional theory – stable equilibrium
between groups is the norm
◦ Conflict theory – competition for political
& economic power between groups is the
norm
◦ Interactionist theory – focus on symbolic
interaction & social construction of reality
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3 different ways of defining & analyzing minority
groups:
◦ Distributive – studying how groups differ in life chances,
income, education, occupation & pol. power
◦ Organizational – studying character & relations of
organizations formed by groups
◦ Attitudinal (Social Psychology) – studying attitudes,
beliefs & behaviors of group members to explain
prejudice & intergroup action
 Functional – concentrates on forms & functions, assuming
all groups react in same ways
 Cultural Relativist – concentrates on unique cultural content
of groups, emphasizing differences between them
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Never easy, straightforward or consistent –
changes over time & place
◦ Dependent on context
◦ Not simply numerical – majority may lack power
relative to minority
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Sociology created by Herbert Spencer &
others in late 1800s to study evolution of
human societies
◦ Assumed human societies evolve as species do
◦ Used term “race” to refer to groups distinguished by
both physical & cultural characteristics
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Subordinate segments of complex state societies
Special physical or cultural traits held in low
esteem by dominant segments of society
Self-conscious units bound together by special
traits members share & special disabilities which
these traits bring
Membership transmitted by rule of descent
capable of affiliating succeeding generations
even in absence of readily apparent traits
By choice or necessity, tend to marry within
group (endogamy)
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Identifiability – characteristics neither fixed nor
self-evident, but rather social constructed
Differential power – combination of total resources
& their use
Differential & pejorative treatment – various
strategies employed by dominant group, depending
on limitations on resources, relative power, & econ.
usefulness of minorities
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Stereotyping
Avoidance
Discrimination
Physical attack
Extermination
Group awareness – more limited in U.S. due to
individualism
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Assignment of people to groups sometimes
done by dominant group and sometimes by
minority group
Self-assignment often made for economic
advantage
Legal definitions difficult