Strangers to these Shores: Race and Ethnic Relations in the Strangers to these Shores: Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States United States

Culture and Social StructureCulture and Social Structure by Vincent N. Parrillo, Allyn & Bacon, 2000by Vincent N. Parrillo, Allyn & Bacon, 2000

Powerpoint Presentation by Ron L. Shamwell, Social Sciences Department, Powerpoint Presentation by Ron L. Shamwell, Social Sciences Department, Community College of Philadelphia, 2000Community College of Philadelphia, 2000

2.1 2.1 Social StructureSocial Structure: (Roles/Groups/Institutions/Status): (Roles/Groups/Institutions/Status)--organized patterns of behaviororganized patterns of behavior among the basic components of a social system-- among the basic components of a social system--predictable social relationshipspredictable social relationships among the different peoples in a society. among the different peoples in a society. Orientations Orientations shape expectationsshape expectations about how groups fit into the society. about how groups fit into the society.

2.2 2.2 The Concept of CultureThe Concept of Culture: (Patterns): (Patterns)

--Consist of the Consist of the physical or material objects and values, attitudes, customs, beliefs, and physical or material objects and values, attitudes, customs, beliefs, and habitshabits shared by members of a society and transmitted to the next generation, this can shared by members of a society and transmitted to the next generation, this can either be either be material or non-materialmaterial or non-material..

-Cultural attributes provide a -Cultural attributes provide a sense of peoplehood and common bondssense of peoplehood and common bonds, so people can , so people can relate to each other--most sociologist emphasize the impact of relate to each other--most sociologist emphasize the impact of culture shaping culture shaping behaviorbehavior..

2.3 Basic Values2.3 Basic Values

Achievement & SuccessAchievement & Success Activity & WorkActivity & Work Moral orientationMoral orientation Humanitarian MoresHumanitarian Mores Efficiency& PracticalityEfficiency& Practicality ProgressProgress Material ComfortMaterial Comfort EqualityEquality

FreedomFreedom External ConformityExternal Conformity Science & RationalityScience & Rationality NationalismNationalism DemocracyDemocracy IndividualismIndividualism Racism & Group Racism & Group

Superiority ThemesSuperiority ThemesPage 2.

--Norms are a culture’s rules of conduct, which are internalized and Norms are a culture’s rules of conduct, which are internalized and embodied for fundamental expectations.embodied for fundamental expectations.

2.4 Reality Construct:2.4 Reality Construct: Our perception of reality is related to our cultureOur perception of reality is related to our culture, this helps us , this helps us interpret interpret

the sensory stimulithe sensory stimuli from our from our environment environment and tell us and tell us how to respondhow to respond. . Therefore, culture Therefore, culture intervenes between the human organism and its intervenes between the human organism and its environmentenvironment to to produce actionsproduce actions. “It is the . “It is the screen through which we seescreen through which we see.” .” Figure#2.2 Culture RealityFigure#2.2 Culture Reality

Environment

Individual

Culture

Each INDIVIDUAL observes the world through SENSE PERCEPTIONS, which are evaluated in terms of CULTURE--values, attitudes, customs, and beliefs.

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2.5 Language and Other Symbols:2.5 Language and Other Symbols:(System of Communication)(System of Communication)--Culture is learned behaviorCulture is learned behavior, acquired chiefly through , acquired chiefly through verbal verbal communication, or languagecommunication, or language..-A -A wordword is nothing more than a is nothing more than a symbolsymbol--something that stands for --something that stands for something else.something else.TANGIBLE TANGIBLE (CHAIR)(CHAIR) INTANGIBLEINTANGIBLE (HONESTY) (HONESTY)-The word represents a mental concept that is based on empirical reality.-The word represents a mental concept that is based on empirical reality.Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication Empirical RealityEmpirical Reality-Family-Family -Class-Class-Education-Education -Race-Race-Social Location-Social Location -Gender-Gender-Environment-Environment -Income-Income

--Words reflect cultureWords reflect culture, however, one , however, one word may have different meaningsword may have different meanings in in different cultures.different cultures.

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-Because words symbolically interpret the world to us, the Linguistic Relativity of -Because words symbolically interpret the world to us, the Linguistic Relativity of language may connote both intended and unintended prejudicial meaningslanguage may connote both intended and unintended prejudicial meanings. For . For example, black is the symbol for darkness or evil, but this idea can be transferred to example, black is the symbol for darkness or evil, but this idea can be transferred to mean a persons of the Black race, or the word white, which symbolizes cleanliness mean a persons of the Black race, or the word white, which symbolizes cleanliness or goodness can be transferred to mean a person of the White race.or goodness can be transferred to mean a person of the White race.--Nonverbal communication, or body languageNonverbal communication, or body language, is highly important too. Body , is highly important too. Body movements, gestures, physical proximity, facial expressions (100-136), each of movements, gestures, physical proximity, facial expressions (100-136), each of which conveys a distinct meaningwhich conveys a distinct meaning, and , and paralinguistic signalsparalinguistic signals (sounds, but not words, (sounds, but not words, such as a sigh, a kiss-puckering sound, or the m-m-m sound of tasting something such as a sigh, a kiss-puckering sound, or the m-m-m sound of tasting something good) all convey information to the observer-listener.good) all convey information to the observer-listener.-Body language is important in inter-group relations, too, whether in conversation, -Body language is important in inter-group relations, too, whether in conversation, interaction, or perception. interaction, or perception. Body language may support or belie one’s wordsBody language may support or belie one’s words; it may suggest friendliness, ; it may suggest friendliness, aloofness, or deference.aloofness, or deference.-Although some forms of body language are fairly universal (e.g., most facial [120] -Although some forms of body language are fairly universal (e.g., most facial [120]

expressions), many cultural variations exist in body lang-expressions), many cultural variations exist in body lang-

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uage itself and in the interpretation of its meanings.uage itself and in the interpretation of its meanings.THOMAS THEOREM:THOMAS THEOREM:-Human beings respond to their -Human beings respond to their definitions of stimuli rather than to the definitions of stimuli rather than to the stimuli themselvesstimuli themselves. For example, when Whites define Blacks as inferior . For example, when Whites define Blacks as inferior and then offer them fewer opportunities because of that alleged inferiority, and then offer them fewer opportunities because of that alleged inferiority, Blacks are disadvantaged, which in turn supports the initial definition, this Blacks are disadvantaged, which in turn supports the initial definition, this may also apply to gender or male/female employment opportunities.may also apply to gender or male/female employment opportunities.2.6 2.6 CultureCulture establishes the establishes the framework through which an individual framework through which an individual perceives othersperceives others, classifies them into groups, and assigns certain general , classifies them into groups, and assigns certain general characteristics to them, which is based on prestige, power and influence.characteristics to them, which is based on prestige, power and influence.--VVicious-Circle Phenomenonicious-Circle Phenomenon=as groups attitudes and actions to ward =as groups attitudes and actions to ward others groups continue, in such instances, people others groups continue, in such instances, people create a culturally create a culturally determined world of realitydetermined world of reality, and their , and their actions reinforce their beliefsactions reinforce their beliefs. . ((Social interaction or social changeSocial interaction or social change may may counteractcounteract such situations, such situations,

however, leading to their redefinition).however, leading to their redefinition).

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Cultural TransmissionCultural Transmission, each generation transmits its culture to the next generation, , each generation transmits its culture to the next generation, which learns those cultural definitions at an early age. See the topic about the which learns those cultural definitions at an early age. See the topic about the South Pacific story on page 34.South Pacific story on page 34.Cultural ChangeCultural Change, indicates discoveries, inventions, technological advances, , indicates discoveries, inventions, technological advances, innovations, and natural disasters alter the customs, values, attitudes, and beliefs of innovations, and natural disasters alter the customs, values, attitudes, and beliefs of a society.a society.Cultural DiffusionCultural Diffusion, these are ideas, inventions, and practices spread from one , these are ideas, inventions, and practices spread from one culture to another, albeit at different rates of diffusion, negative attitudes and a culture to another, albeit at different rates of diffusion, negative attitudes and a large distance between groups can pose formidable barriers, and sometime cultural large distance between groups can pose formidable barriers, and sometime cultural diffusion occurs only under temporarily favorable conditions.diffusion occurs only under temporarily favorable conditions.

NoteNote: Anthropologist Ralph Linton calculated that any given culture contains about : Anthropologist Ralph Linton calculated that any given culture contains about 90 percent borrowed elements. Read the “100 percent American” male on page 35 90 percent borrowed elements. Read the “100 percent American” male on page 35 of text.of text.Cultural ContactCultural Contact, culture can also undergo change through people of different , culture can also undergo change through people of different cultures coming into contact with on another, sometimescultures coming into contact with on another, sometimes

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but not always this can lead to but not always this can lead to Cultural ShockCultural Shock, which is characterized by , which is characterized by feelings of disorientation and anxiety and a sense of being threatened.feelings of disorientation and anxiety and a sense of being threatened.2.7 Subcultures:2.7 Subcultures:Chain MigrationChain Migration, settling in an area already containing family, friends, or , settling in an area already containing family, friends, or compatriots who located there earlier.compatriots who located there earlier.Parallel Social InstitutionsParallel Social Institutions, their own clubs, organizations, newspapers, , their own clubs, organizations, newspapers, stores, churches, and schools duplicating those of the host society---stores, churches, and schools duplicating those of the host society---appear, creating cohesiveness within the minority subculture, whether it is appear, creating cohesiveness within the minority subculture, whether it is an immigrant or native-born grouping.an immigrant or native-born grouping.Ethnic SubculturesEthnic Subcultures, evolve in response to conditions within the host , evolve in response to conditions within the host society, the immigrants sometimes develop a group consciousness, many society, the immigrants sometimes develop a group consciousness, many first-generation Americans possess a village orientation toward their first-generation Americans possess a village orientation toward their homeland rather than a national identity, may speak different dialects, feud homeland rather than a national identity, may speak different dialects, feud with others, and have different values.with others, and have different values.

Ethnogenesis, shaped partly by the core culture in selectivelyEthnogenesis, shaped partly by the core culture in selectively Page 8.Page 8.

absorbing some elements and modifying others, the group also retains, absorbing some elements and modifying others, the group also retains, modifies, or drops elements from its cultural heritage as it adapts to its modifies, or drops elements from its cultural heritage as it adapts to its new country.new country.MarginalityMarginality, the subculture is undergoing change, its members may , the subculture is undergoing change, its members may experience problems--living under stress in two cultures simultaneously. experience problems--living under stress in two cultures simultaneously. Refer here to the Refer here to the DubiosDubios article on article on Double ConsciousnessDouble Consciousness..

-Older Generation wants to maintain-Older Generation wants to maintain-Young Generation wants to achieve full acceptance -Young Generation wants to achieve full acceptance by the by the

dominate society.dominate society.Persistent SubculturesPersistent Subcultures, not all subcultures assimilate, some do not even , not all subcultures assimilate, some do not even desire to do so; and others, particularly nonwhite groups, face difficulties desire to do so; and others, particularly nonwhite groups, face difficulties in assimilation.in assimilation.Structural ConditionsStructural Conditions, the nature of the social structure influences not only , the nature of the social structure influences not only the distribution of power resources (economic, political, and social), but the distribution of power resources (economic, political, and social), but also the accessibility of those resources to groups who seek upward also the accessibility of those resources to groups who seek upward mobility.mobility. Page 9.Page 9.

2.8 2.8 Structural ConditionsStructural Conditions::-The nature of social structure influences not only the distribution of -The nature of social structure influences not only the distribution of power resource economic, political, and social) but also the accessibility of power resource economic, political, and social) but also the accessibility of those resources to groups who seek upward mobility.those resources to groups who seek upward mobility.-Factors:Economy, Degree of Change, and Industrialization-Factors:Economy, Degree of Change, and Industrialization2.9 2.9 StratificationStratification::-Is the hierarchical classification of the members of society based on the -Is the hierarchical classification of the members of society based on the unequal distribution of resources, power, and prestige?unequal distribution of resources, power, and prestige?Resources:Resources: Power:Power: Prestige:Prestige:incomeincome stratified layersstratified layers statusstatuspropertyproperty ability to influenceability to influence ascribedascribed-The form of stratification affects how groups within the various strata of -The form of stratification affects how groups within the various strata of society view one another. For example, people believe that a group’s low society view one another. For example, people believe that a group’s low socioeconomic status is due to its values and attitudes rather than to such socioeconomic status is due to its values and attitudes rather than to such structural conditions racism, economic stagnation, and high urban structural conditions racism, economic stagnation, and high urban

unemployment.unemployment. Page 10.Page 10.

2.10 2.10 Social ClassSocial Class::-Categorization sociologists use to designate people’s place in the -Categorization sociologists use to designate people’s place in the stratification hierarchy; people in a particular social class have a similar level stratification hierarchy; people in a particular social class have a similar level of income, amount of property, degree of power, and type of lifestyle. Other of income, amount of property, degree of power, and type of lifestyle. Other influences are race, religion, and status group. Review the reputational influences are race, religion, and status group. Review the reputational method on page 42 of class text.method on page 42 of class text.2.11 2.11 Class ConsciousnessClass Consciousness: : -John Leggett found that class consciousness depends on the ethnic factor: the -John Leggett found that class consciousness depends on the ethnic factor: the lower a group’s ethnic status in the society, the higher the level of class lower a group’s ethnic status in the society, the higher the level of class consciousness. Other studies have shown that working-class ethnic groups consciousness. Other studies have shown that working-class ethnic groups tend to view their class as hostile to, and under the political control of, the tend to view their class as hostile to, and under the political control of, the higher-status classes.higher-status classes.2.12 2.12 Ethnic and Social ClassEthnic and Social Class:Differences in stratification among various :Differences in stratification among various groups cannot be explained by a single cause, although many observers have groups cannot be explained by a single cause, although many observers have tried to do so. For example, Stephen Steinberg, Thomas Sowell, and Colin tried to do so. For example, Stephen Steinberg, Thomas Sowell, and Colin

Greer. Review page 43 of class text.Greer. Review page 43 of class text. Page 11.Page 11.

2.l3 2.l3 Blaming the Poor or SocietyBlaming the Poor or Society-Culture of Poverty view that emerged in the 1960’s. Daniel P. -Culture of Poverty view that emerged in the 1960’s. Daniel P. Moynihan and Oscar Lewis sparked the intense debate that continues Moynihan and Oscar Lewis sparked the intense debate that continues to resonate today. This government report, “The Negro Family: The to resonate today. This government report, “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action--pg.44 of class text.Case for National Action--pg.44 of class text.2.14 2.14 Inter-group ConflictInter-group Conflict-Robert Parks argued that a universal, irreversible, possibly slowly--Robert Parks argued that a universal, irreversible, possibly slowly-evolving cycle of events made conflict and subsequent resolution by evolving cycle of events made conflict and subsequent resolution by assimilation inevitable. He saw four stages in the “race relations cycle”assimilation inevitable. He saw four stages in the “race relations cycle”A. contact between the groups B.competition C. adjustment or A. contact between the groups B.competition C. adjustment or accommodation and D. assimilation and amalgamation.accommodation and D. assimilation and amalgamation.2.15 2.15 Cultural DifferentiationCultural Differentiation-The greater the differentiation is the greater the conflict will occur-The greater the differentiation is the greater the conflict will occur2.16 2.16 Structural Differentiation Structural Differentiation -Functionalist see the need for adjustments in the social system, but -Functionalist see the need for adjustments in the social system, but conflict theorists emphasize purposeful actions of the dominant groups conflict theorists emphasize purposeful actions of the dominant groups to maintain systems of inequality.to maintain systems of inequality. Page 12.Page 12.