Social Theories - Analysis 1

Social Theories - Analysis 1

Theories of racial inequality can be divided into 3 categories: 1) deficiency theories, 2) bias theories, and 3) structural discrimination theories. Deficiency theories states that the inferior economic, social and political statuses of racial minorities are due to some deficiency within the minority groups.
In general, the causative deficiency has 2 varieties: biological and cultural. Biological deficiency theories attribute racial inequality as genetic, hereditary inferiority, or biological selectivity. Parts of these theories assert that a race is inherently superior or inferior and that inequality happens. Racism, as a doctrine justifying the subordination of races, emerged from individuals holding such a view. Some leading racist theorists have been Arthur Jensen, Richard Hernstein, and Charles Murray. Cultural deficiency theories see racial inequality as emanating from cultural values and traits. The emphasis is not social structure, but attitudes and values. Attitudes and values of the minority group are seen as defective and deviant. They are counterproductive and inhibit achievement and success as determined by dominant group values. Generally, these theories assume that an independent, autonomous "lower class culture" or "culture or poverty" exist which impact negatively on individuals who share such a culture. Bias theories used to explain observed racial inequalities that they often provide little more than descriptions of observed racial differences. Prejudice and discrimination are the principal sources of racial inequality in bias theories; however, there is a crucial difference between "bias" theories and previously discussed "deficiency" theories. Bias theories place the responsibility for racial inequality on the dominant group and "deficiency" theories blame the group in question for its inequality. The responsibility for racial inequality in the United States is given to the White dominant group, often undifferentiated, according to the...

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