Race, Culture, and Ethnicity: Examining Key Concepts

This report delves into the distinctions between race, culture, and ethnicity, aiming to clarify the often-confused concepts. It defines race as a classification based on physical attributes, culture as encompassing learned social behaviors, and ethnicity as a shared identity based on nationality or ancestry. The report emphasizes that while the terms are socially defined, they are rooted in observable differences rather than strict rules. The report also references key literature to support the arguments and provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The report provides an overview of the core concepts and explores the overlapping nature of these terms, offering insights into their complexities and relationships.

Running head: RACE, CULTURE AND ETHNICITY
Race, Ethnicity and Culture
Name of the Student
Name of University:
Author Note

2
RACE, CULTURE AND ETHNICITY
Difference between Race, Culture and Ethnicity.
The distinctions between culture, ethnicity and race are often mistaken and are thought to
be same things. The concepts are intertwined and the ideas need to be unwound to have a clearer
understanding of the differences between the three.
Race is the term which is used to refer to the distinct population within a greater species.
The characteristics which make up the race can be the physical attributes such as eyes, skin,
facial structures and so on. Individuals who belong to a race may have minor differences from
others (Stone, 2018). This can be elaborated further to distinguish the structures and forms in
plants and animals which are linked to the genetics.
Culture can be defined as the social behaviors which can be found to be existing in
human societies. It broadly comprises of the human phenomena and are not ascribed to the
genetic inheritance (Spencer, 2014). This is a concept which is central to the subject of
anthropology, which aims to underline social learnings, behaviors, practices which constitute of
culture. These can be better understood if the expressive forms are paid close attention to, which
are specific to the cultures which are clothing, music, art, dance, food habits.
Ethnicity is the identity which is created on the basis of similarities such as nationality or
ancestry. It is used to refer to a group of people living in a geographical location and has
customs, heritage, language and religion which defines the ethnicity (Desmet, Ortuño-Ortín &
Wacziarg, 2017). It concerns about the place of origin of a person or a community, such as
Asian, Jewish and so on. In order to become a member of an ethnic group, one has to follow the
practices and culture of that ethnicity.

3
RACE, CULTURE AND ETHNICITY
The three terms often overlap because of the distinctions are confusing. The terms are
argued to be socially defined, however, it can be concluded by saying that these are based on
observations and not strict rules.

4
RACE, CULTURE AND ETHNICITY
References
Desmet, K., Ortuño-Ortín, I., & Wacziarg, R. (2017). Culture, ethnicity, and diversity. American
Economic Review, 107(9), 2479-2513.
Spencer, S. (2014). Race and ethnicity: Culture, identity and representation. Routledge.
Stone, J. (2018). Race and ethnicity. Core Concepts in Sociology, 242.