Final answer:
A minority group is a social group that is set apart from others in society due to its members' distinct cultural and/or physical characteristics and often experiences unequal treatment. Membership in such groups can be involuntary, and individuals are aware of their subordinated status within the broader society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe a group of people considered to be significantly different from others in terms of cultural and sometimes physical characteristics is a minority group. This group is characterized by features such as different cultural practices (dialect, religion, traditions, etc.) and often distinguished by physical characteristics (skin color, body shape, etc.). Sociologist Louis Wirth defined a minority group as any group of people who, because of their physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out from the others in the society in which they live for differential and unequal treatment, and who therefore regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination. These groups may also have less power over their lives, involuntary membership in the group, awareness of subordination, and a high rate of in-group marriage. It's crucial to note that the concepts of race and ethnicity, as well as the criteria used to categorize these groups, have evolved over time and vary across different countries and cultures.