Summarize the key ideas behind the three theoretical perspectives on racial inequality

We can examine issues of race and ethnicity through three major sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. As you read through these theories, ask yourself which one makes the most sense and why. Do we need more than one theory to explain racism, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination?

What you’ll learn to do:

• Describe how functionalists, conflict theorists, and symbolic interactionists view race and ethnicity

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include:

• Reading: Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity
• Self-Check: Theories of Racial Inequality