Final answer:
The characteristics that mark minority groups are not universally correct because they focus on lack of power, not just numerical size. The defining feature of a minority group is their lack of power. This helps to clarify that the concept of minority is based on power dynamics, not numerical representation alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The text indicates that five characteristics mark minority groups: unequal treatment, distinguishing physical or cultural traits, involuntary membership, awareness of subordination, and a high rate of in-group marriage. These characteristics are not universally correct because the concept of a minority is not solely dependent on numerical representation; it is primarily the lack of power that defines a subordinate group, not necessarily the size of the group. For instance, during apartheid in South Africa, the Black majority population was oppressed by a White minority, which exemplifies that numerical majority does not always equate to power majority. Furthermore, the experiences of individuals within minority groups can vary significantly, and thus strict generalizations may not always hold. Sociologist Louis Wirth's definition emphasizes differential and unequal treatment based on physical or cultural characteristics leading to the group's collective discrimination as a defining feature of minority status.
Lack of power is the one defining feature of a minority group, which is the predominant characteristic differentiating subordinate groups from dominant groups in a society. Minority groups often form collective identities and engage in political activism to address inequities and champion their causes. Hence, 'lack of power' is the correct answer to the question regarding the one defining feature of a minority group, as exemplified by option 'c' in the multiple-choice question provided.