Final answer:
Assimilation is the process by which a minority group takes on the characteristics of the dominant culture, often changing with the needs and biases of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term assimilation refers to the process by which a minority individual or group takes on the characteristics of the dominant culture. This concept highlights the dynamic and often unequal relationship between a minority group and the majority or dominant group within a society. Especially pertinent within the context of sociology, assimilation can occur in several forms, such as cultural assimilation where individuals adopt the language, practices, and values of the dominant group. In the process of assimilation, the racial characteristics defined by the dominant society can shift in response to its changing needs, biases, and social structuring.
Minority groups are those that lack power in comparison to the dominant majority and can be identified by differing physical or cultural traits, involuntary membership, awareness of subordination, and a potential for in-group marriage. The way a society defines race can include various factors, leading to cultural anthropologists studying forms of racial inequality globally. It's important to note that the terms 'race,' 'ethnicity,' and 'minority group' have distinct meanings, with race referring to physical differences, ethnicity to shared cultural practices, and minority groups to those with less power facing discrimination.
These dynamics can lead to different forms of prejudice and discrimination, such as institutional racism, colorism, and expulsion, and are embedded in various social institutions and cultural norms, contributing to systemic inequality. Recognizing these patterns is critical to understanding the complex interplay between race, power, and identity in societies.