Final answer:
Ethnicity is a term that refers to the shared culture, practices, values, norms, and beliefs of a group, including language, religion, and traditions. It is distinct from race and can be used to categorize individuals into groups while considering their unique experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shared characteristics and experiences of a group of people, such as nationality, race, history, religion, and language, define ethnicity. Ethnicity is based on a shared culture that includes practices, norms, values, and beliefs of a group. This may encompass shared language, religion, and traditions, among other commonalities. Unlike race, ethnicity acknowledges cultural heritage and shared cultural practices. For instance, various ethnic groups like Irish, Italian American, or Jewish may be seen under the common racial categorization of "White" but would have distinct ethnic identities and experiences.
In the United States, language can play a significant role in the identification of ethnicity, as seen in classifications used by the government. It's crucial to remember that while sociologists can often understand individual experiences through social characteristics, including ethnicity, class, or gender, individuals' experiences are unique, and broad categorizations can sometimes lead to stereotypes and prejudice.