Socio

Racial/Ethnic Identity Assignment

Option 1

1. What are your feelings like as a child versus as an adult in regards to being a part of the racial/ethnic group you identify with, elaborate?

2. What customs, norms, traditions are common in your racial/ethnic group that you do AND don’t like, elaborate?

3. Explain whether you think racial/ethnic representation in media is important, elaborate? s

4. Identify 2-3 people from your racial-ethnic group that you believe have made significant contributions to advancing your racial/ethnic group, American society, or your country of origin. Explain each person’s contributions.

5. Apply a sociological theory or sociological term from the chapter to explain any aspect of your racial/ethnic identity. (This could include an experience you had, or it could apply it to why your racial/ethnic group would historically or currently be categorized as the dominant or marginalized group).

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Directions:

Read the article The Man In the Zoo (pdf attached on

Blackboard) apply sociological theories and concepts to explain the

treatment of

Benga

. Answer the following questions….

1.

What are your thoughts after reading this article, elaborate?

2.

Explain how the notion of “prejudice” applies to what happened to

Benga

. (Please review the definitions in your text, before answering this

question)

3.

Explain how the notion of “discrimination” applies to what happened to

Benga

. (Please review the definitions in your text, before answering this

question)

4.

How would a conflict theorist explain

Benga’s

treatment while in

America?

5

a.

How would

S

ymbolic Interactionist

t

heorist explain the interactions

between

Benga

and Samuel Verner (as it relates to race)?

OR

5

b.

How would symbolic interactionist theorist explain the interactions

between

Benga

and the people he encountered in America (as it relates to

race).

Option 2

How To Apply Theory

1.Name the theory and/or theorist (There may not always be a theorist)

Examples

2.State the theory’s claim(s)

3.Apply the theory

Applying Theory…Example 1

Labeling theory was created by theorist Frank Tannenbaum. Labeling theory states “when people are labeled deviant, they are more likely to engage in criminal behavior” (Author of Txt Book, Publishing Year) . 13-Year-old Michael was told “he was destined to be a criminal”, and “he was destined to end up in jail” every day from the age of 5-17. Labeling theory would suggest because Michael was labeled as a delinquent/criminal, he began to believe this was his destiny, and began engaging in a life of crime

Applying Theory…Example 2

Behaviorism theory suggests “human behavior is developed through learning experiences” (Holland, 2012). Behaviorism theory can be applied to explain why Haley has violent tendencies. When Haley was growing up, she always saw her mom deal with stress by becoming angry and violent. Haley's mom would yell at Haley, break things, and would often kick or punch Haley. Now that Haley is older, she copes with stress exactly like her mother. When Haley is stressed, she often screams at her spouse, and physically assaults him. Behaviorism theory would suggest Haley learned that violence and aggression are appropriate responses to stress, from the behavior her mother modeled.

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