Final answer:
The statement is false; majority and minority refer to relative power, not just numbers. A minority group is characterized by a lack of power and experiences discrimination, which can happen irrespective of its size relative to the total population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'majority and minority are terms that refer to the size of a group relative to the whole' is false. Majority theory or majoritarianism, while it discusses the roles of majorities and minorities, highlights that a minority group's main characteristic is not its fewer numbers, but its lack of power compared to the dominant, or majority, group.
When defining what constitutes a minority, it is crucial to understand that the term minority connotes discrimination based on physical or cultural characteristics. These groups are singled out for differential and unequal treatment, making them subordinate groups that face collective discrimination. This discriminatory practice can occur even if the minority is numerically larger, which historically can be seen in the example of apartheid in South Africa.
In contrast, the term dominant group is often substituted for the group that holds the most power in a given society, regardless of their numbers. Therefore, the essential feature of a minority group is its c. Lack of power, and not necessarily its numerical representation within a society.