Social construction of race

Definition

The social construction of race is the process by which societies categorize individuals into racial groups based on characteristics, such as physical appearance, cultural affiliation, and historical context, rather than biological or scientific basis. It highlights how racial categories and the significance attached to them are created, maintained, and changed over time through social processes and interactions.

Related terms

Racialization: The process through which understandings of race are used to classify individuals or groups of people in ways that can shape their experiences and opportunities.

Ethnicity:

Refers to shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set apart one group of people from another based on heritage, language, religion, and other factors.

Minority Group: A group of people who experience a lower status relative to other groups in society due to physical or cultural characteristics that are held in lesser regard by the dominant culture