Ethnicity | social differentiation (2024)

In anthropology: The study of ethnicity, minority groups, and identity

Ethnicity refers to the identification of a group based on a perceived cultural distinctiveness that makes the group into a “people.” This distinctiveness is believed to be expressed in language, music, values, art, styles, literature, family life, religion, ritual, food,…

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ethnic conflict

  • Ethnicity | social differentiation (1)

    In ethnic conflict: Ethnic identity, ethnicity, and ethnic group

    On the other side, ethnicity is just as much based on intangible factors—namely, on what people believe, or are made to believe, to create a sense of solidarity among members of a particular ethnic group and to exclude those who are not members.

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  • Ethnicity | social differentiation (2)

    In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity

    …as the primordialist approach, explains ethnicity as a fixed characteristic of individuals and communities. According to primordialists, ethnicity is embedded in inherited biological attributes, a long history of practicing cultural differences, or both. Ethnic identity is seen as unique in intensity and durability and as an existential factor defining individual…

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  • Ethnicity | social differentiation (3)

    In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity

    …by those who argue that ethnicity, in contrast to political affiliations, cannot be willfully decided on by individuals and is instead rooted in and regulated by the society as a whole. Advocates of another school of thought, known as social constructivism, focus on the social nature of ethnic identity. In…

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  • Ethnicity | social differentiation (4)

    In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity

    The concrete expression of ethnicity and its propensity to lead to violence and warfare depend on the context. Ethnic identities are adaptable to and activated by unexpected threats and new opportunities. Ethnicity cannot be politicized unless an underlying core of memories, experience, or meaning moves people to collective action.…

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Hannibal ethnicity and appearance issues

    Native American history

    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (5)

      In Native American: Native American ethnic and political diversity

      Ethnicity is most frequently equated with some aspect of language, while social or political organization can occur on a number of scales simultaneously. Thus, a given set of people might be defined as an ethnic group through their use of a common dialect or language…

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    racism

    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (6)

      In race: The difference between racism and ethnocentrism

      Ethnicity, which relates to culturally contingent features, characterizes all human groups. It refers to a sense of identity and membership in a group that shares common language, cultural traits (values, beliefs, religion, food habits, customs, etc.), and a sense of a common history. All humans…

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    sports

    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (7)

      In sports: Race, ethnicity, and sports

      In sports, as elsewhere in society, there is a tendency to explain differences in performance in terms of some alleged physical differences between races. When Austrians do well at skiing and Swedes excel at tennis, cultural explanations have been sought through the…

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    ethnicity

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    social differentiation

    Learn about this topic in these articles:

    anthropology

    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (15)

      In anthropology: The study of ethnicity, minority groups, and identity

      Ethnicity refers to the identification of a group based on a perceived cultural distinctiveness that makes the group into a “people.” This distinctiveness is believed to be expressed in language, music, values, art, styles, literature, family life, religion, ritual, food,…

      Read More

    ethnic conflict

    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (16)

      In ethnic conflict: Ethnic identity, ethnicity, and ethnic group

      On the other side, ethnicity is just as much based on intangible factors—namely, on what people believe, or are made to believe, to create a sense of solidarity among members of a particular ethnic group and to exclude those who are not members.

      Read More
    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (17)

      In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity

      …as the primordialist approach, explains ethnicity as a fixed characteristic of individuals and communities. According to primordialists, ethnicity is embedded in inherited biological attributes, a long history of practicing cultural differences, or both. Ethnic identity is seen as unique in intensity and durability and as an existential factor defining individual…

      Read More
    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (18)

      In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity

      …by those who argue that ethnicity, in contrast to political affiliations, cannot be willfully decided on by individuals and is instead rooted in and regulated by the society as a whole. Advocates of another school of thought, known as social constructivism, focus on the social nature of ethnic identity. In…

      Read More
    • Ethnicity | social differentiation (19)

      In ethnic conflict: Theories of ethnic identity

      The concrete expression of ethnicity and its propensity to lead to violence and warfare depend on the context. Ethnic identities are adaptable to and activated by unexpected threats and new opportunities. Ethnicity cannot be politicized unless an underlying core of memories, experience, or meaning moves people to collective action.…

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    Hannibal ethnicity and appearance issues

      Native American history

      • Ethnicity | social differentiation (20)

        In Native American: Native American ethnic and political diversity

        Ethnicity is most frequently equated with some aspect of language, while social or political organization can occur on a number of scales simultaneously. Thus, a given set of people might be defined as an ethnic group through their use of a common dialect or language…

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      racism

      • Ethnicity | social differentiation (21)

        In race: The difference between racism and ethnocentrism

        Ethnicity, which relates to culturally contingent features, characterizes all human groups. It refers to a sense of identity and membership in a group that shares common language, cultural traits (values, beliefs, religion, food habits, customs, etc.), and a sense of a common history. All humans…

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      sports

      • Ethnicity | social differentiation (22)

        In sports: Race, ethnicity, and sports

        In sports, as elsewhere in society, there is a tendency to explain differences in performance in terms of some alleged physical differences between races. When Austrians do well at skiing and Swedes excel at tennis, cultural explanations have been sought through the…

        Read More
      Ethnicity | social differentiation (2024)

      FAQs

      What are 5 examples of ethnicity? ›

      The minimum categories for data on race and ethnicity for Federal statistics, program administrative reporting, and civil rights compliance reporting are defined by OMB as follows:
      • American Indian or Alaska Native. ...
      • Asian. ...
      • Black or African American. ...
      • Hispanic or Latino. ...
      • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. ...
      • White.

      Which of the following best describes the distinction between race and ethnicity? ›

      Race refers to the concept of dividing people into groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics and the process of ascribing social meaning to those groups. Ethnicity describes the culture of people in a given geographic region, including their language, heritage, religion and customs.

      What are the 6 features of ethnicity? ›

      A person may identify with an ethnicity if they share the cultural values and beliefs, customs, practices, language(s), religion, food, and heritage.

      Why is ethnicity diversity important? ›

      Ethnic diversity can help people develop a sense of social cohesiveness, or community connectedness, and inclusiveness, or sense of belonging. It can also lead to an increase in the pursuit of fairness and tolerance among both psychologists and their patients.

      What are 10 different ethnicities? ›

      Contents
      • 4.1 White and European Americans.
      • 4.2 Middle Eastern and North African Americans.
      • 4.3 Hispanic and Latino Americans.
      • 4.4 African Americans.
      • 4.5 Asian Americans.
      • 4.6 Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
      • 4.7 Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders Americans.
      • 4.8 Two or more races. 4.8.1 Genetic admixture.

      What defines your ethnicity? ›

      Ethnicity has been defined as: "the social group a person belongs to, and either identifies with or is identified with by others, as a result of a mix of cultural and other factors including language, diet, religion, ancestry and physical features traditionally associated with race". ( 1)

      How do I know my ethnicity? ›

      If you are unsure, autosomal DNA testing is available that can help you to learn more about your ethnic background.9 Autosomal DNA testing looks at combined ancestry from both parents that can identify population groups with which you share portions of your autosomal DNA.

      What is the difference between nationality and ethnicity? ›

      Even unwound, the ideas are not as well-defined as many would present them to be. At the core, nationality is an indication of the country where a person is a legal citizen, ethnicity refers to a cultural sense of common ancestry and race is a social construct that divides people into large groups.

      What are the six race categories? ›

      Definitions for New Race and Ethnicity Categories
      • American Indian or Alaska Native.
      • Asian.
      • Black or African American.
      • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
      • White.

      What are the 5 main characteristics of ethnic groups? ›

      Ethnic Groups Share 5 main characteristics:
      • cultural traits (language, clothing, holidays)
      • sense of community.
      • felling of ethnocentrism.
      • ascribed membership from birth.
      • territoriality.
      Dec 15, 2019

      What are the main characteristics of an ethnic identity? ›

      Ethnicity is considered to be shared characteristics such as culture, language, religion, and traditions, which contribute to a person or group's identity. This shows that ethnicity is not necessarily genetic.

      What are the two characteristics of ethnicity? ›

      Ethnicity is similar in concept to race. But while races have often been distinguished on the basis of physical characteristics, especially skin color, ethnic distinctions generally focus on such cultural characteristics as language, history, religion, and customs (Montague, 1942).

      What's the difference between ethnicity and culture? ›

      Culture - A set of shared ideas, customs, traditions, beliefs, and practices shared by a group of people that is constantly changing, in subtle and major ways. Ethnicity - A group of people who identify with one another based on shared culture.

      What is ethnic inclusiveness? ›

      Put differently, ethnically inclusive governments are not dominated or monopolized by a single ethnic group, they do not discriminate against other minority groups, and they often have laws and institutions in place to help enforce and reinforce these important characteristics.

      Why is it important to respect ethnicity? ›

      By respecting other cultures, we can learn from their unique perspectives and traditions, which can enrich our own lives and broaden our horizons. Additionally, respecting other cultures helps to create a more inclusive and harmonious society, where everyone feels valued and accepted.

      What are the 8 major ethnic groups? ›

      The United States is a racially and ethnically diverse country. The US census distinguishes the following basic ethnoracial categories: White (58% of the population), Hispanic (19%), Black (12%), and Asian (6%). Less than 1.5% are Native Americans (Amerindians) and Pacific Islanders.

      What are the 6 ethnicity groups? ›

      Definitions for New Race and Ethnicity Categories
      • American Indian or Alaska Native.
      • Asian.
      • Black or African American.
      • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
      • White.

      What are the most common ethnicity? ›

      White is the most common race in the United States.

      How do I find out my ethnicity? ›

      If you have wondered what your ethnic background is, you can find out by taking a MyHeritage DNA test. Your results will include an Ethnicity Estimate: a percentage-based breakdown of your ethnic origins as indicated by your DNA results.

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