31 Aug 2022

54

Prejudice, Collective behaviour and White Privilege

Format: APA

Academic level: College

Paper type: Essay (Any Type)

Words: 738

Pages: 2

Downloads: 0

Prejudice entails prejudging or rather the formation of an opinion before one is aware of the relevant and pertinent facts related to a given case ( KTB Editors, 2014) . Discrimination on the other hand entails the action of denying social participation or the human rights to certain groups of persons based on prejudice. Racism entails the discrimination of people based on their races and as such racism comprises of both prejudice and discrimination and is dependent on social perceptions of the biological differences that exist among people ( KTB Editors, 2014) . 

Sociologists mean social processes and events that fail to reflect the existing structure of the society such as laws, institutions and conventions but occur in a spontaneous manner when they speak of “Collective Behaviour” ( Lofland, 2017) . Collective behaviour is a third form of action that occurs during absent or unclear norms or when these norms contradict each other. Collective behaviour is thus the term that sociologists use when they intend to imply a miscellaneous behaviour set that many people engage in. the primary forms of collective behaviours include ( Lofland, 2017) : 

It’s time to jumpstart your paper!

Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.

Get custom essay

Crowds 

Panics 

Disaster behaviour 

Mass hysteria 

White Privilege means the numerous ways in which people belonging to the white race benefit just because they are white and not from a racial minority. It is a privilege that extends to every aspect of the society and culture ( Rothenberg, 2008) . However, it remains a significant challenge to a good number of people. It is well to appreciate that whiteness privilege is not a culture that a person cultivates but a benefit they receive from an ongoing culture that has been built on the white supremacy ( Rothenberg, 2008) . A good example is when a college professor of history suggests discussing about racial equality but proceeds to teach the history of America that is told from the perspective of the white people. 

Religion refers to a system of culture that is instituted on practices and behaviours as well as views of the world and sanctified places that relate humanity to the world of supernatural beings. The three theoretical perspectives of sociology, functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism help appreciate religion in a diverse and deep manner. 

Functionalism and Religion 

According to Durkheim Emile, the functions of religion serve a society regardless of the manner in which it is practised or what the beliefs of that religion favour. Religion gives both meaning and purpose to life ( Berger, 2011) . Many things in the world remain a mystery such as death and life after it. But religion helps people to understand the mystery by providing an answer to the questions they have in regards to the matter ( Berger, 2011) . Secondly, religion reinforces the unity and stability of the society. 

Religion and Conflict Theory 

According to conflict theory, religion is able to promote both social inequality and conflict. Karl Marx insists that religion is the opiate of masses meaning like it makes persons happy with the conditions they exist in ( Berger, 2011) . Marx insists that people dwell in poverty and must rise up against it. However, religious people view poverty from a religious perspective thinking that enduring their suffering will get them a reward in the afterlife. 

Religion and Symbolic Interactionism 

The other two perspectives observe the macro aspects of religion and the society while symbolic interactionism observes the micro things. For instance, it places great emphasis on the idea that beliefs and practices are hardly sacred until people regard them as such. They thus take a particular significance and meaning in the lives of people once people regard them as sacred. 

The society shapes religion in the sense that religious beliefs vary with the segments of society that a person is exposed to ( Berger, 2011) . A great part of this takes place when the person is a child and has no choice on the matter and as such people grow up believing what they are told by virtue of culture and the membership within a certain group. 

Question one 

Karl Marx and Marx Weber differed on the contemporary social classes in the society. Karl Marx opined that social class comprises of a two-class system while Max Weber insists it has three stratification dimensions that include status, party and class ( Berger, 2011) . A class entails a group of people that occupy the same class status. Weber divided the class into four categories unlike Marx in his two class system. 

I believe that Weber had a better opinion on stratification of the society and his stands as more convincing and elaborate of the two. It is precise in giving various classes and touches on every bit of the social aspect. 

References 

Berger, P. L. (2011). The sacred canopy: Elements of a sociological theory of religion . Open Road Media. 

KTB Editors. (2014). Prejudice, Discrimination, Bigotry and Racism Are Different : Pop Culture Alternative and Independent News Source . Retrieved 15 December 2017, from http://killingthebreeze.com/prejudice-discrimination-bigotry-and-racism-are-different/ 

Lofland, J. (2017). Protest: Studies of collective behaviour and social movements : Routledge. 

Rothenberg, P. S. (2008). White privilege : Macmillan. 

Illustration
Cite this page

Select style:

Reference

StudyBounty. (2023, September 15). Prejudice, Collective behaviour and White Privilege.
https://studybounty.com/prejudice-collective-behaviour-and-white-privilege-essay

illustration

Related essays

We post free essay examples for college on a regular basis. Stay in the know!

17 Sep 2023
Sociology

Group Facilitation: Engagement and Authority

PART1 This was a part of the first group therapy session of a group of individuals. The group had both men and women of different backgrounds and personalities. The observation parameters that govern this sort...

Words: 883

Pages: 3

Views: 123

17 Sep 2023
Sociology

Micro Client System

Discussion 1 In my career as a social worker, I have worked with client systems of all sizes. In their career and daily work, social workers interact with all client systems in assisting individuals suffering...

Words: 789

Pages: 3

Views: 176

17 Sep 2023
Sociology

Food Policy and Habits

The survival of human being depends on the food. Globally, food is known to be more than a source of nutrients and energy for human well-being. The food we eat, how we eat, who we eat with, when we eat, and what we...

Words: 382

Pages: 1

Views: 148

17 Sep 2023
Sociology

Culture, Ethnocentrism, and Cultural Relativism

Since the middle Stone Age, human beings are considered as social creatures, from those days people have identified and associated with each other as a community to live and survive. Common behavior and habits unite...

Words: 1321

Pages: 5

Views: 72

17 Sep 2023
Sociology

Client Population and Problem Addressed by the Program

A considerable number of Americans are not consuming the right amount of vegetables and fruits. As of 2013, about 13% of the entire USA population was consuming the required daily intake of fruits (one and a half to...

Words: 1367

Pages: 4

Views: 155

17 Sep 2023
Sociology

Community Observation: How to Get Started

The meeting attended was a legislative meeting of the Board of Directors of the School District of Cheltenham Township. The meeting was held on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at 7:16p.m in the Administration Building,...

Words: 1513

Pages: 5

Views: 115

illustration

Running out of time?

Entrust your assignment to proficient writers and receive TOP-quality paper before the deadline is over.

Illustration