Final answer:
The term that best defines less powerful groups dominated and discriminated against by a more powerful group is 4) oppression. It involves a dominant group controlling and exploiting subordinate groups, upheld by exclusionary ideologies and resulting in various forms of institutional discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Less powerful groups who are dominated by a more powerful group and often discriminated against on the basis of shared characteristics deemed to be socially significant best define the term 4) oppression.
This concept relates to a societal structure where a dominant group uses its power to exploit or control minority or subordinate groups, often entailing discrimination and institutional racism.
Oppression can manifest in various forms, such as denying civil rights, political power, or full citizenship, and is bolstered by exclusionary ideologies that legitimize the victimization of weaker groups.
Sociologist Louis Wirth defined a minority group as those singled out for differential and unequal treatment due to their physical or cultural characteristics, and who see themselves as discriminated against.
This definition aligns with the understanding that subordinate groups lack power relative to the dominant group, which wields majority control in society. Recognizing and combating oppression is crucial for achieving equal rights and political empowerment for all societal groups.