Appendix A

ETH/125 Version 7

University of Phoenix Material

Appendix A
Part I
Define the following terms found in Week One and Week Two readings:
Term

Definition

Diversity

Being diverse, being exposed to different elements and cultures.

Ethnocentrism

Judging anothers culture by the values and standards of their

own culture. To assume ones culture and way of life is superior to
all others.

Melting pot

When a diverse racial or ethnic group form a new creation, a new

cultural entity.

Minority group

A subordinate group whose members have less control or power

over their own lives than do the members of a majority group.

Emigration

(by emigrants) Is leaving the country to settle into another country.

Immigration

Is leaving another country to settle in another country

permanently.

Culture

Consist of beliefs, behaviors and objects common to a member of

a group or society.

Part II
Answer each question in 250 to 350 words:
1. What are some of the ways groups of people are identified?
There is a multitude of ways that people/groups are identified. Some of those ways are racial
groups, ethnic groups, religious groups, and gender groups. Racial groups are groups that are set
apart from society because of obvious physical differences. Some of the things that can set them
apart are body shapes and sizes, hair color, color of skin, clothing, and others.
Ethic groups are groups that are set apart because of their cultural patterns. These groups might
have different languages used, different beliefs in marriage, parenting, and food habits. One
popular ethnic group in the United States that the text mentions is Hispanics. Their traits do
originate from their homeland, they use another language within their home that using English,
and they have different food habits than most American homes.
Religious groups have an association with a specific religion and are the third basis for minority
group statuses.
Gender groups are between male and female. Males are the social majority and females are
social minority. Woman who are members of racial minorities tend to face more difficult
challenges achieving equality than others. These women suffer more because of being in two

Appendix A
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minorities, racial and gender.

There are other ways that our society tends to identify people that the text does not mention. One
of these ways is social status. In todays society a way you are identified is by your financial
rakings and popularity. We tend to categorize people by their wellbeing and status.

2. Why do people label and group other people?

People label and group others because it is human nature to do this. We were taught as we
were growing up the differences between races and different societies. Labeling has been a
part of our world since the British came to the new lands and found the Indians. They were a
different race and ethnical group and were categorized for being completely different.
Even though American is a home to many different cultures, we still put labels upon the
different races that live among us. We are raised watching our parents do what they believe
is correct and what they were taught and we repeat their doings. Each home has their own
beliefs and behaviors.
I think the best way to answer this, is by saying that we believe in what we were raised to
believe and what we practice. I am a Christian and have certain beliefs about Christmas,
some other cultures and races do not have the same beliefs that I do. I would be labeled as a
Christian because of my religious belief. This was something I was raised to believe in.
As humans we tend to fear what we do not know. I might see a homeless man on the street
asking for money and not give him money because I think he is a drug addict. I have now
labeled this man because of things I have watched on tv and he might not have been any of
the awful things I thought. Since I do not know this person, culture or race I fear it because it
is not what I am use to or believe in.
Labeling or grouping is not right, but we as humans do it because it is second nature to us.