Framework Essay III

The meaning of Difference

Objectives1. Understand ideology is critical to

comprehend the specific meanings that are attributed to difference.

2. Understand law and politics, economy, science, and popular culture as social institutions that construct and interpret what difference means.

Key TermsHegemonicIdeologyNatural-law LanguageSocial DarwinismStereotypeSocial Institution

IdeologyIdeology is a set of ideas or beliefs proposed by the

dominate class of society or those with power to all members of this society.

Ideologies usually reflects primarily the experiences of those with power but is presented as universally valid

Ideology defined as a widely shared belief or idea that has been constructed and disseminated by the powerful, primari;y reflects their experiences and functions for their benefit

Example

“people are rewarded on the basis of their merit”

Hegemonic Hegemonic (or ruling ideology) is an ideology that

dominates a culture and becomes the prevailing, unquestioned belief.

Hegemony shows how a social class exerts cultural (leadership) dominance of the societies other classes in maintaining the socio-political status quo

Gramsci states that it is social control accomplished by the control of ideas

Hegemonic ideologies often take the form of common sense beliefs.

Common sense beliefs are likely to embody widely shared ideas promarily reflecting the interests and expeiriences of those who are powerful.

Natural-law Language Natural-law language is a language that treats human

behaviors as something inevitable, automatic, and independent of one’s will.

Natural-Law Language brings a discussion to a close because there is little sense to question it

It treats behavior as predeterminate and overlooks actual cultural and historical variations of human society

It treats individuals as passive, lacking the interest in or control over social life

Natural-law language tells us not to question the world that surrounds us

It discourages questions It tells us to simply accept the world around us and not to

seek to improve it

Social darwinism Social Darwinism is the belief that those who dominate a

society are necessarily the fittest.

the ideology of Social Darwinism was used to justify slavery, colonialism, immigration quotas, the criminalization of homosexuality, the forced relocation of Native Americans, and the legal subordination of women.

StereotypesA Stereotype is a prejudgment of a person or group,

created without taking a the individual person wholly into account.

It is a prediction that members of a group will behave in certain ways.

A stereotype can be used to deny individuals respect and legitimacy based on their membership in a particular group

It often forms the basis of prejudice

It forms societal consenus rather than individual judgements

It is sometimes formed by a previous illusory correlation, a false association between two variables that are loosely correlated if correlated at all

American journalist Walter Uppmann coined the metaphor calling a stereotype a “picture in our heads” saying “whether right or wrong…imagination is shaped by the pictures seen.”

Stereotypes1) Asians have high IQs. They are smarter than most in Math and

Science. These people are more likely to succeed in school. (Positive stereotype)

2) Christians are homophobic. They are blinded by God and will recruit you if you go near them. (Negative stereotype)

3) African Americans can dance. (Positive stereotype)

4) Caucasians can't dance. (Negative stereotype)

5) French are romantic. (Positive stereotype)

6) Irish are alcoholics. (Negative stereotype)

7) Italians are good lovers. (Positive stereotype)

8) Germans are Nazis or fascists. (Negative stereotype)

9) Middle Easterners hate Americans. (Negative stereotype)

10) Russians are violent. (Negative stereotype)

Stereotypes11) Gay men are feminine while lesbian women are masculine.

12) Asians know martial arts.

13) African Americans play basketball.

14) Women are neat and like to clean.

15) Men take charge in a relationship.

16) Asian men have smallest penis size while African American men

have the biggest penis size.

17) Immigrants have poor English.

18) Indians work at a deli.

19) Caucasian women do not have big boobs naturally like African

American females.

20) Jewish people are cheap.

Black Stereotypes

Minstrel Shows

Slave Narratives

Social Institutions Social institutions refers to the established mechanisms

by which societies meet their predictable needs

Social Institutions Include:◦ Science the economy pop culture

◦ Law military

◦ Religion Medicine

◦ Politics Mass Media

Social institutions

Summary Section III – The meaning of difference, explains how

ideologies are a mechanism used to control society and that it overwhelms and silences those who are outside its production . Ideologies ask us to dicount our own experiences.

It explains how stereotypes are created by the need to explain why some categories of people suceed more than others. When we stereotype a grop of people we depict all of the individuals within that group as having the same characteristics