Class Definition
“Though the experience of social class is shaped by this economic positioning, the actual impact of the construct on social and psychological experience is wide-ranging and multifaceted: Social class shapes behavior through cultural learning, such as socialization processes occurring within a family whose members share a similar socioeconomic background, and through social-cognitive mechanisms, which include habitual response patterns to an experience that is unique to a particular social class (e.g., Fiske & Markus, 2012). Social class can also determine the groups an individual interacts with and belongs to (Lareau & Conley, 2008). Because of its many facets, it is helpful to conceptualize social class (like race) as a “bundle of sticks” that can be disaggregated and studied based on its specific elements (i.e., Sen & Wasow, 2016).” Kraus, M. W., Park, J. W., & Tan, J. J. X. (2017)
Racism Definition
“[Racism is] a system of dominance, power, and privilege based on racial group designations; rooted in the historical oppression of a group defined or perceived by dominant group members as inferior, deviant, or undesirable; and occurring in circumstances where members of the dominant group create or accept their societal privilege by maintaining structures, ideology, values, and behavior that have the intent or effect of leaving nondominant group members relatively excluded from power, esteem, status, and/or equal access to societal resources.” (Harrell, 2000; p. 43 )
For complete references of the cited sources, please see the Supplemental Materials section.
These videos will provide a history of structural inequalities and make connections to current inequalities.
After viewing the videos, use this reflection sheet to help think through the ideas they presented and the feelings they invoked.
Respond to the following questions to reflect on health disparities as well as your role to advance care for a diverse society:
