Discussion and homework questions for week 13

For each reading assignment, please write a paragraph in response to those questions with an asterisk (*). Turn in your paragraph at the beginning of class on the day we discuss that reading assignment. Your homework should be typed or legibly handwritten. Make sure you put your name, date, course number, and the reading assignment on your homework. Each assignment is due at the beginning of class.

Due: Monday, April 30

Van den Berghe

1. What is the defining characteristic of ethnicity?  That is, what is the basis for a group's sense of common identity?

*2. According to Van den Berghe, how did ethnic and racial sentiments evolve?  Why would it be adaptive for humans to have such feelings?

3. How are ethnic boundaries created?  In other words, what two factors define ethnic boundaries?

4. What is the sexual double standard regarding ethnicity and mating?  What is the evolutionary logic for this double standard?

5. What are the three categories of ethnic markers?  That is, what kinds of characteristics do people use to identify one or another ethnic group?

6. Why do you think humans have an evolved tendency to use these characteristics as ethnic markers?

*7. What are the necessary conditions for racism to occur?

8. What conditions lead to the undoing of racism?
 

Due: Wednesday, May 2

Sherif

1. What conditions produced conflict between groups in Sherif's experiments?

*2. Describe what happened when groups in conflict were brought together for social activities?  How did their interactions in such contexts affect their relations?

3. What conditions promoted harmony between groups in conflict in Sherif's experiments?