Final answer:
A minority group is identified as a collective with physical or cultural traits that lead to differential and unequal treatment in society, advancing the perception of being subject to collective discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
A minority group is defined as 'any group of people who, because of their physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out from the others in the society in which they live for differential and unequal treatment, and who therefore regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination.' This concept was outlined by Sociologist Louis Wirth in 1945. In essence, a minority group is not just defined by its smaller numbers within a population but also by the status and treatment it receives compared to the dominant segment of society.
Minority groups are characterized by features such as unequal treatment, less power over their lives, distinguishing physical or cultural traits, involuntary membership, awareness of subordination, and a tendency for in-group marriage. Examples of minority groups include the LGBTQ community, practitioners of less widely practiced religions, and people with disabilities. The position of these groups can vary from one society to another and also within different contexts and times, reflecting the fluid nature of social hierarchies and discriminations.