Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or...

26

TAGS:

Transcript of Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or...

Page 1: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.
Page 2: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Arguments about race

Social scientists

Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called different “races.”

Concerns: geneticization and increase in racism (history and attitudinal research)

Biological scientists

“Ancestry” is not the same thing as race. Accurate understanding of how genes work will prevent racism.

Concerns: geneticization and public (mis)understandings of genetics

Page 3: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Race, health and genetic variation at the UIWhat do “regular” UI experts think race is? Are there disciplinary differences? Biological / social science differences? How do professors / T.A.s teach about race in their classrooms?

What do students think race is? How do they incorporate, or not, what they hear in UI classrooms about race, genes, health disparities, evolution, behavior etc. into their beliefs about race?

Methods Qualitative: 40 interviews with sociologists (9), biologists (8), biological anthropologists (10), psychologists (2), and 5-10 undergraduate seniors from each discipline.

Quantitative: Student survey assessing (a) genetic / environmental explanations of physical traits, behaviors, health conditions (b) what happens to these explanations when race is a factor.

Page 4: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

The Undergraduate SurveyGOAL 1:

1. (i) Identify the degree to which students have succumbed to geneticizing trends. How likely are they, in general, to explain a complex trait or behavior with reference to genes, the focus of biology classes, or to the environment, as emphasized by sociology courses, or (more accurately, in the view of experts) to some combination of the two?

(ii) What is the effect of knowledge about genetics? Does understanding what genes are, how they function and how they are inherited make a student more or less likely to look to genes when explaining human behavior or group health disparities?

Page 5: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

The Undergraduate Survey

Goal 2

How does race (when associated with a trait or behavior) affect those explanations. Does the race of an individual displaying a particular trait or behavior affect the extent to which students look to the environment or to genetics to account for it?

(Research shows association between racism and genetic explanations of group differences)

Page 6: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

The Undergraduate Survey

Goal 3:

Does priming students to think of reproduction, family and kinship increase genetic explanations of behavior and / or produce higher measures of racial prejudice?

Page 7: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

The Undergraduate Survey

For each of the traits or behaviors described in the following questions, please indicate what percent you think is due to the genes a person inherits, and what percent is due to learning, experience, income, education and other aspects of the environment.

21 point scale – • finer grade choice• may help prevent framing genes and environment as mutually

exclusive and oppositional.

Page 8: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Part 1 • List of 18 traits.

• Physical traits; height, skin color, freckles and birth weight.

• Complex characteristics; athleticism, intelligence, criminality, drive to succeed, sexual orientation, sexual interest, alcoholism and drug abuse.

• • Health conditions; diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer,

sickle-cell anemia, hemophilia, and breast cancer

Page 9: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Part 2 – Vignettes – 4 versions• Version 1 - Stereotype-challenging

• A middle-aged white man who gets drunk several times a week and often can't remember what happened during these drinking episodes.

• A 30 year-old Hispanic woman who is a good all round athlete, was on the high school varsity basketball team at school and still works out several times a week.

• A highly intelligent black man who did very well in school and is now a partner in a large law firm.

• An Asian-American woman who dropped out of school at 16, was arrested three times before she was 20 and is now serving time in prison.

• A 50 year-old white woman who is diagnosed with high blood pressure and at a high risk of suffering a stroke

Page 10: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Vignettes: Version 3 -Stereotype set

• A middle-aged black man who gets drunk several times a week and often can't remember what happened during these drinking episodes

• A 30 year-old white woman who is a good all round athlete, was on the high school varsity basketball team at school and still works out several times a week.

• A highly intelligent Asian-American man who did very well in school and is now a partner in a large law firm.

• A Hispanic woman who dropped out of school at 16, was arrested three times before she was 20 and is now serving time in prison

• A 50 year-old black woman who is diagnosed with high blood pressure and a high risk of suffering a stroke.

Page 11: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Vignettes – 2 Priming QuestionsVersion 2 (stereotype challenging + priming) and Version 4 (stereotype set + priming)

Inheritance and kinship• Please indicate on the following list who genes are

inherited from:• Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent,

Grandparent’s sister, Grandparent’s brother, Grandparent’s parent.

• Reproduction and inheritance - Additional Vignette• “A white / black woman who had two difficult pregnancies,

two premature (early) births and two infants who required intensive medical care after birth.”

Page 12: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Part 3 • Brief definitions of concepts • “a gene,” • “ancestry” • “evolution” • “Social construction”

• Qualitative: The goal was to probe their understandings of these concepts and to unearth any common misconceptions.

Page 13: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Part 4• Demographic• Gender• Age• Race• Political affiliation• Major

• Racial attitude question• “How comfortable would you be if a close family member

married a person who identifies as (white / African-American / Hispanic / Asian-American / Native American)”

• V. comfortable / somewhat comfortable / somewhat uncomfortable / v. uncomfortable

Page 14: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Abstract traits – Part 1Characteristic Mean Score Percent due to genes

Skin Color 3.49 87.5 %

Height 4.70 81.5 %

Freckles 5.56 77.5 %

Birth Weight 8.71 61.5 %

     

Athleticism 10.14 54.5 %

Intelligence 10.56 52.25 %

Alcoholism 11.69 46.5 %

Drug Abuse 13.19 39 %

Drive to succeed 14.80 31 %

Criminality 16.83 21 %

     

Sexual Orientation 9.22 59 %

Sexual Interest 13.05 39.75 %

     

Sickle Cell Anemia 4.61 82 %

Hemophilia 4.65 81.75 %

     

Heart Disease 8.98 60 %

Diabetes 9.33 58.5 %

     

Lung Cancer 13.25 38.75 %

Breast Cancer 7.52 67.5 %

Scores

0 = 100% genetic

6 = 75% genetic

11 = 50% genetic

16 = 25% genetic

21 = 0% genetic

Page 15: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Vignettes 

AlcoholismBEFORE Abstract 

AFTER ->VERSION1White man

 

VERSION2

 

VERSION3Black man

 

VERSION4

 

Cumulative1+2+3+4

 Mean:Variance:SD:N: % students who responded 75% or more genetic

11.6923.044.80527 23%

15.0023.854.88122 12%

14.9122.564.75122 10%

15.2822.274.72127 10%

14.5227.435.24137 10%

14.9324.034.89527 10.5%

Page 16: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Alcoholism

Page 17: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Athleticism

AthleticismBEFOREAbstract

AFTER VERSION1 Hispanicwoman

VERSION 2

VERSION 3Whitewoman

VERSION 4 Cumulative1+2+3+4

Mean:Variance:SD:N: % students who responded 75% or more genetic

10.1419.774.45521 31%

13.7517.294.16122 8%

12.9524.304.93122 19%

14.2020.374.51127 9%

13.7022.834.78137 13%

13.65 12.25%

Page 18: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Athleticism

Page 19: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Intelligence

 Intelligence

BEFOREAbstract

AFTERVERSION  1Black man

 VERSION 2

 VERSION 3As-Am man

 VERSION 4

 Cumulative1+2+3+4

Mean:Variance:SD:N: % students who responded 75% or more genetic

10.5619.684.44525 26%

13.6925.355.03121 15%

12.6628.265.32121 21%

14.0425.025.00127 14%

13.5024.494.95137 16%

13.47 16.5%

Page 20: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Intelligence

Page 21: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

CriminalityCriminality BEFORE

Abstract AFTER VERSION1As-Am woman

 VERSION 2

 VERSION 3Hispan Woman

 VERSION 4

 Cumulative1+2+3+4

Mean:Variance:SD:N: % students who responded 75% or more genetic

16.8315.533.94527 2%

17.1510.543.25121 1%

16.3818.244.27121 4%

17.5013.433.66127 4%

17.2615.383.92136 6%

17.07 3.75%

Page 22: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Criminality

Page 23: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Heart DiseaseHeart Dx BEFORE

AbstractAFTERVERSION 1

VERSION 2

VERSION 3

VERSION 4

Cumulative1+2+3+4

Mean:Variance:SD:N: % students who responded 75% or more genetic

8.9817.124.14525 41%

10.2522.804.77122 32%

9.8822.144.70121 36%

9.2820.574.54127 43%

9.2022.494.74137 47%

9.65 39.5%

Page 24: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Heart Dx

Page 25: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

White – racial attitude Q1

Page 26: Arguments about race Social scientists Race is a social construction. There are no meaningful or important differences between groups that have been called.

Questions for consultants• Is the relationship between the vignette question form and the

decrease in genetic attributions significant?

• Control for gender, political affiliation?

• Difference between vignettes – i.e. effect of race and priming. Is there a trend? What sample size would I need if I was to do this again?

• Is there a relationship between genetic attributions and genetic knowledge?

• Is there a relationship between racial discomfort and genetic attributions? Overall? For each version?


Race Contacts and the Social Structure

Race Contacts and the Social Structure

Social Class, Race, and Genetics: Implications for Educationarthurjensen.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Social-Class-Race-and... · Social Class, Race, and Genetics: Implications

Social Class, Race, and Genetics: Implications for Educationarthurjensen.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Social-Class-Race-and... · Social Class, Race, and Genetics: Implications

Karl Atkin- Is Race Social

Karl Atkin- Is Race Social

Race of social media – For active user

Race of social media – For active user

Key Concepts and Theories About ‘Race’ - corwin.com · Key Concepts and Theories About ‘Race ... 3 contemporary arguments about multiculturalism, ... 21 according to the eccentric

Key Concepts and Theories About ‘Race’ - corwin.com · Key Concepts and Theories About ‘Race ... 3 contemporary arguments about multiculturalism, ... 21 according to the eccentric

Lecture 8 Social Stratification: Race and Ethnicity.

Lecture 8 Social Stratification: Race and Ethnicity.

Design Arguments. Arguments for theism Ontological arguments Cosmological arguments Design arguments.

Design Arguments. Arguments for theism Ontological arguments Cosmological arguments Design arguments.

Authority arguments in academic contexts in social …AUTHORITY ARGUMENTS IN ACADEMIC CONTEXTS 3 2. QUOTATIONS AS INSTANCES OF ‘THE APPEAL TO EXPERT OPINION’ ARGUMENT IN THE SOCIAL

Authority arguments in academic contexts in social …AUTHORITY ARGUMENTS IN ACADEMIC CONTEXTS 3 2. QUOTATIONS AS INSTANCES OF ‘THE APPEAL TO EXPERT OPINION’ ARGUMENT IN THE SOCIAL

Race and Social Order of Spanish Conquest

Race and Social Order of Spanish Conquest

Arguments for and Against Social Responsibility

Arguments for and Against Social Responsibility

Race Growth and Social Media

Race Growth and Social Media

A Question of Belonging: Race, Social Fit, and … Question of Belonging: Race, Social Fit, and Achievement ... undermines the motivation and achievement ... If social belonging is

A Question of Belonging: Race, Social Fit, and … Question of Belonging: Race, Social Fit, and Achievement ... undermines the motivation and achievement ... If social belonging is

Race The Power of an Illusion. What arguments was the film making about the biological basis of race? How was race defined in the early 1900’s? How did.

Race The Power of an Illusion. What arguments was the film making about the biological basis of race? How was race defined in the early 1900’s? How did.

Language of Arguments, Non-arguments, and Embryonic Arguments

Language of Arguments, Non-arguments, and Embryonic Arguments

Theories of Race and Social Action

Theories of Race and Social Action

The Social Self: Activist Social Psychology, Race and Prejudice.

The Social Self: Activist Social Psychology, Race and Prejudice.

Race, Social Disorganization and Delinquency

Race, Social Disorganization and Delinquency

Nazi ideas of Race: Social Darwinism

Nazi ideas of Race: Social Darwinism

Ethnicity and Race. Chapter Outline ETHNIC GROUPS & ETHNICITY Status Shifting RACE & ETHNICITY THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RACE Hypodescent: Race in the.

Ethnicity and Race. Chapter Outline ETHNIC GROUPS & ETHNICITY Status Shifting RACE & ETHNICITY THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RACE Hypodescent: Race in the.

Social Movements, Music, and Race

Social Movements, Music, and Race