Compare and contrast the conflict and symbolic interactionist approach to race and racism. Provide a brief explanation for why the functionalist approach is difficult to apply to racism.
What will be an ideal response?
Ans: Conflict approach: If a powerful group defines itself as “better” than another group, then the unequal treatment and distribution of resources can be rationalized as acceptable--or even “natural.” Symbolic interactionist: discuss characteristics of minorities, stigma, and mixed contacts. Functionalist: Racism cannot be positively functional for a community or society because by definition, it marginalizes some members of the group.
KEY: Learning Objective: 9.3: Discuss theoretical approaches to the concepts of ethnicity, racism, and minority status.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Theoretical Approaches to Ethnicity, Racism, and Minority Status
Difficulty Level: Medium
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Institutionalization and community treatment programs lack systematic evaluation to determine their effectiveness
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
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a. the development of a youth subculture b. the development of a generation gap c. the perpetuation of inequality d. the production of new knowledge