Mariah Lynn Villatoro,
According to your textbook, a technique that is used to evaluate how perceptions of similarity can lead to closer interactions is ranking social distance, “the degree of closeness or remoteness individuals prefer in interaction with members of other groups.” In addition to measuring social distance, the research study discussed in the Reality checkbox (pg. 7), indicates that researchers also examined friendship patterns between diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Ethnocentrism is thinking about or defining another culture on the basis of your own. Most of us are in some way ethnocentric. We view the world from our point of view and generally see groups with greater differences from us more negatively.
The purpose of this forum is to examine your own Cross-Racial College Friendships OR to discuss the positive and negative aspects of ethnocentrism.
In order to prepare for this discussion, you must first complete the following readings.
Read Chapter 1-the Study of Minorities, focusing on the sections that discuss Social Distance and Ethnocentrism.
Also review the sections that address Minority Groups, Racial and Ethnic groups, The Dillingham Flaw, Personal Troubles and Public Issues, The Dynamics of Intergroup relations and Sociological Perspectives.
After you have completed your readings, post a response to only ONE of the following questions. Choose 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Discuss why do members from an ingroup might automatically believe their group is better than the outgoing group? Provide one example of an ingroup and its corresponding outgroup. Also, discuss when might it occur that an outgoing group is viewed positively, provide examples.
Discuss the positive aspects of ethnocentrism. You will be identifying its functions.
Discuss the negative aspects of ethnocentrism. You will be addressing how it is dysfunctional.
Discuss ethnocentrism from the perspective of Functionalist Theory, Conflict Theory, or Interactionist Theory. Explain why you chose a particular theory for your discussion.
In order to earn the full 100 points for this assignment, you must:
Directly and completely respond to the question you have chosen. Clearly and accurately explain your answers based on factual information contained in the readings. Make sure that all statements are supported by facts from the readings. Your post must be cited and referenced in APA style. It must be at least 300 words (80 points)
Students must respond to at least one fellow student’s posting, and discuss the reason(s) for their agreement or disagreement with the arguments that are presented. You must address specific points, and support your response with facts from the readings or another source. Your response should be at least 150 words. (20 points)
If possible, students should respond to a posting on the question that they did not discuss.
DISCUSSION NUMBER 2
DISCUSSION FORUM FOR CHAPTER 5: WHY DON’T PEOPLE JUST GET ALONG?
Mariah Lynn Villatoro, Why don’t people just get along?For this discussion, students will identify and discuss which early majority-minority interaction patterns are still prevalent today.In order to prepare for this discussion, you must first complete the following readings.
Read Chapter 5- North and West European Americans.
Review the relevant sections of Chapter 2, and Chapter 4, that address relation between majority and minority groups.
After you have completed your readings, select only ONE of the following questions, and post your response. Choose 1, 2, 3, or 4.
What current day dominant and minority response patterns occurred during the colonial period?
What aspects of the Irish, Dutch or German experience can be applied to current immigrant groups? Select one of these groups and compare them to a specific group today (your choice).
Why didn’t all immigrants desire to become fully participating citizens in the country to which they moved? In your opinion, does this still apply today?
How did immigrants who were seeking religious freedom come to the New World with their own stereotyped beliefs, and how did this impact their relationship with other immigrants?