Final answer:
Racial groups are defined by the cultural and social norms within a society, and race is a social construct. Ethnicity involves shared culture, and minority groups are identified by their lack of power in society. Racial classifications vary widely, underlining that race is not a fixed biological category but a cultural one. The correct answer is option: b. The cultural and social norms within a society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Racial groups are primarily defined by cultural and social norms within a society, rather than by religious beliefs, biological characteristics, or historical treatment. According to sociology, the idea of race is a social construct that refers to superficial physical differences deemed significant by society, while ethnicity is about shared culture and national origin.
Minority groups are characterized by their lack of power within a society, not necessarily by their racial identity. It is also important to recognize that racial classifications can vary greatly across cultures and contexts, illustrating further that the concept of race is indeed a social creation. For example, the U.S. Census Bureau defines racial groups by origins in various regions of the world.
Moreover, racial and ethnic minorities often experience unequal treatment and less power over their lives, and minority status can be based on physical or cultural traits, involuntary membership, awareness of subordination, and a tendency for in-group marriage. Historically, the concept of race has shifted and has been less connected to ancestry, focusing more on superficial physical characteristics like skin color.