Chapter 2 Review questions (i.e., these are not the discussion questions).
Be able to define the various terms. Note the overlaps and distinctions among the terms.
Hypodescent
Ethnic group
Traditional definitions of race vs. ethnicity
Racism
Individual racism (as well as other “isms”)
Institutional racism (as well as other “isms”)
Cultural racism (as well as other “isms”)
Biological essentialism (re race and gender)
Sexism
Gender vs. sex
Agentic traits
Communal traits
“Women are wonderful effect”
Heterosexism
Sexual inverts
1. What are some problems with defining race as a biological construction? Provide social and historical examples illustrating that race is socially constructed?
2. Why do social scientist consider gender to be socially constructed? What are some examples of science affirming societal prejudices and stereotypes regarding gender/sex differences?
3. What were the findings from the study by Eagly and Steffen (1984) on the influence of occupational roles on perceptions of women and men? What does this study illustrate about the source of stereotypic beliefs about women and men?
4. What are some similarities and distinctions between racism versus sexism and between racism and sexism versus heterosexism?
5. What is the evidence for the social construction of sexuality and when, historically, did it emerge? What is the origins of pathologizing homosexuality?
6. What were the finding reported by Kinsey’s (1948) report and Hooker’s (1957) that altered conceptualizations of homosexuality?
7. Based upon findings reported by Kite and Whitely (1996), how do men and women’s attitudes compare with regard to attitudes toward gay men and lesbians, attitudes toward sexuality, and civil rights for gay men and lesbians? What are three explanations for sex differences in attitudes toward gay men and lesbians?
8. What key factor influences lack of support of extending civil rights to gay men and lesbians? What are some responses that have been given to this reasoning?