Summary 1

Sociologists recognize minority groups using the following four factors. Shared physical and cultural characteristics are the first way to identify a minority. Minorities share physical and cultural similarities such as race and customs. The second group of factors are ascribed statuses(inherited factors). This means that people do not choose to join a minority. Instead they are born into it. Group solidarity (support or camaraderie) is a feeling in a group of people in a society that they want to support each other versus prejudice or discrimination from the dominant group or from other minority groups. Finally, we have endogamy. This describes a situation in which people generally marry a member within the group.