1.Define dominant group and explain the basis of dominant group power in multiethnic societies.
The dominant ethnic group is identified by the expression of values, religion, language and social norms
upon the local culture. This group has been identified on the basis of having created social attributes that
are directly related to the dominant ethnic group upon the other ethnic groups, whether by influence,
power, or force. The dominant group has created a social order that continues to embed such
distinctions upon further generations through multifaceted ethnocentric practices, and often makes efforts
to ensure such social distinctions.
The basis of the dominant culture is often viewed in multiethnic societies through observation and
interpretation of social institutions that are in place. This process can be observed when cultures are
merged together, either physically or politically. When multiple ethnic groups are joined into a single unit,
it is generally the case where one group enters center stage and builds a society modeled after its own
culture. The examples riddle history, and are evident in today’s modern society of the United States and
the “Melting Pot” of ethnicities from around the globe.
The United States is often used as an example of a multiethnic society for our scholarly studies, and
demonstrates how some believe the final outcome of mixed societies end up. Some believe that ethnic
groups often homogenize with time, and the subcultures which were once isolated become part of the
mainstream culture. The dominant ethnic group often takes on the complimentary attributes of the
minority groups and continues forward as a better-melded social group. Given this possible outcome, it
may be partially descriptive of why dominant ethnic groups often work hard to remain in such a status.
2.Explain Noel's power differential, competition and ethnocentrism concepts. How do these fit today's
minority group struggles?
Donald Noel believes that a dominant ethnic group may create “Social Stratification” as a form of
maintaining a social hierarchy of subcultures within a multiethnic society. Noel posits that multiple forms
of tools may be employed to create and maintain such an arrangement within the social classes. These
tools must be presented in a way as to create the illusion of upper and lower classes of ethnic groups,
and should create institutions that further such beliefs.
Noel states that there must be some level of Power Differential between the majority ethnic group and the
minority ethnic groups. This inordinate level of power by the majority group must be seen in order for one
group to impose its values, beliefs, religion, and culture upon the others, as often this is a disagreeable
situation for the minority groups. Power may be in the form of political, military, institutional, or
technological, and/or organizational size of one group in relation to the other groups.
Self-interest is proposed as a major contribution to the belief that social stratification is created in order to
maintain ethnic identity. It is believed that groups are in competition for social influence, power, wealth,
and prestige, and this interest causes strife amongst social lines. If each group strives for improvement,
and believes they are in direct competition with other ethnic groups, the understanding is that one group
must prevail over the other. This belief is exaggerated when it is evident that one group is imposing its
will upon the other groups without interest for mutual benefit.
The above methods would possible become unnecessary without the belief in ethnocentrism.
Ethnocentrism is the practice of judging another ethnic group and culture in relation to one’s own beliefs
and values. This belief becomes harmful when the majority group makes note of the minority groups only
as how they differ from the expected values of society. This is thought to be a natural tendency of
humanity, but it is often related to negative perceptions of groups and can often lead to ethnic
stratification.
Today’s political climate is much different than in past generations in the United States. There are honest
and genuine attempts being made to mitigate a dominant ethnic group in our country, but there still exists
some social hierarchy. Traditionally, WASP type values and beliefs have dominated our culture, religion,
language, and social norms. This group has been challenged in recent decades by the growing minority
group populations in our society. This challenge has given way to a less defined social hierarchy that
continues to erode and gives way to better access to social rewards for all ethnic groups.
3. Discuss Robert Merton's paradigm of prejudice, discrimination, giving examples of each of the four
type.
Robert Merton describes the paradigm of prejudice and discrimination in the terms of four types of
individuals. These four types of individuals are deduced from two possible beliefs and two possible
actions by the individual, whose category is described by their relation to these possible actions and
beliefs. Merton believes that and individual may become either: Active Bigot, Timid Bigot, Fair-Weather
Liberal, or All-Weather Liberal.
The “Active Bigot” is the individual who is both prejudiced in thought and discriminates with actions. This
would be the most challenging individual, as there would be both the thoughts and the actions that social
groups should be treated differently. This sort of person would have preconceived notions of other ethnic
groups, and would treat them accordingly to the status that they are believed to hold within society.
A second type of bigot exists, which Merton calls the “Timid Bigot.” This personality type is prejudiced,
but does not discriminate, which means the person mostly holds their beliefs to themselves. This would
be the second least challenging personality, since discrimination is not overt, although covert
discrimination can be just as harmful. This type of bigot would believe that there are social differences
amongst the groups, but would not actively impose such beliefs on those of another ethnic group.
The “Fair-Weather Liberal” is the personality type which is not prejudiced but will discriminate. Again, this
would be the second most challenging type of personality, as they would overtly show disdain for other
groups. This type of personality would participate in such types of discriminatory actions only for the
pressures of their peers, and are not inherently opposed to other types of groups.
“All-Weather Liberal” is the type of person who neither is prejudiced nor discriminates against other ethnic
groups. This personality type is the easiest type of person to deal with, as they neither feel that people
should be treated differently based solely upon ethnic attributes, and does not enforce such types of
belief in practice. This type of person would believe in social equality and would refrain from participating
in prejudicial practices either individually or while in a group context.
4. To what extent has skin color played a role in the possibilities for assimilation in the past and in our
times?
It has been proposed that physical attributes are the most difficult differences to overcome during
assimilation. A person can give up their heritage, culture, change their religion, learn a new language,
and change their beliefs, but they cannot change their physical appearance. The physical differences
amongst ethnic groups are vast, but some are more identifiable than others. Some may be able to tell the
difference between Korean and Chinese by the cheekbone, for example, but most can differentiate
between pale skin and dark skin.
This particular physical characteristic has been a focal point of this country for hundreds of years, and has
been the cause of political and social challenges innumerable. The challenge of those descending from
African heritage is that no matter how well they may assimilate in nearly every facet of the dominant
culture in the United States, they will not be able to assume the dominant groups skin tone. As this is the
case without extensive intermarriage, those of African descent have faces significant challenges into
America’s main stream.
Although significant measures have been made to assimilate the many cultures which are currently in the
United States, considerable differences are still seen. Minority groups which struggle the most to blend
with the mainstream social attributes have been disproportionately challenged because of the color of
their skin. The inability to mitigate ones skin color has caused a significant barrier to assimilation by
minority groups in this country, and will continue until such racial attributes are insignificant to ones
beliefs.
5. Give 4 negative stereotypes of each of the following: Irish, German, and Middle Eastern Americans.
How do they compare and or contrast?
Our culture is alive with stereotypes of all peoples, religions, ancestral heritage, geographic locales, and
languages. This is not a new condition for humanity, and has existed at least since recorded times.
Modern society has created stereotypes which disproportionately favor one group over the other, but
each group holds certain perceived attributes which are marked by the media, social groups, and
institutions.
Common beliefs of the Irish, for example, are those who are: Drunks, Short and Fat (such as a
leprechaun), Poor, and prone to fighting. The Germans, on the other hand, have a significantly different
stereotype and are: Nazis, Self-Righteous, Rude, and Arrogant. Possibly the most stereotyped of modern
society is that of the Middle Eastern American, who are: Terrorists, Heathen Believers, Domestically
Abusive, and Uncivilized.
The common thread of the aforementioned stereotypes is that of individual actions being transposed
against the entire ethnic group. Certainly, there exists those that demonstrate such attributes from
particular ethnic groups, but only stereotyped beliefs create the perception that all Germans are Nazis, all
Irish are drunks, or all Middle Eastern Americans are terrorists. The other point needing to be made is
that the above stereotypes make such types of people unapproachable and often dangerous. The
commonality of fear is often used in polarizing ethnic groups and social perceptions.
Contrasting the above stereotypes would seem to lead to the relationship between time and events. The
Irish inherited a significant portion of the negative image the furthest back in history of the above three.
While the Germans would fall in between the other two ethnic groups, and would generally be seen as
somewhere between the other two groups in terms of negative image. Finally, the Middle Eastern
Americans would most likely be seen as the most negative of the above stereotypes, and would have
earned much of this reputation in recent years. Conclusively, it would appear that the negative image of
an ethnic group is in relation to the time which exists between a negative campaign and current beliefs.