From a sociological perspective, how is race defined?

Race is defined from a sociological perspective as a socially constructed category based on perceived physical differences. This interpretation underscores that race does not stem from biological realities, but rather from social perceptions and historical contexts that attribute significance to certain physical traits, such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features.

This concept emphasizes that the meanings associated with race can vary across cultures and social settings. It is shaped by societal norms, values, and power structures, which influence how individuals and groups interact with each other based on perceived racial identities. Thus, while people may visually identify others based on race, the implications and consequences of those classifications are rooted in social relations, historical legacies, and ongoing social dynamics.

In contrast to this definition, the other options reflect misunderstandings or oversimplifications of race. For instance, a scientific classification of biological differences misconstrues race as a fixed biological reality rather than a fluid and socially shaped construct. Moreover, the notion that race is a genetic blueprint suggests a direct correlation between genetics and racial traits, which oversimplifies the complexities of genetic variation within and across populations. Lastly, defining race as a set of traits that determine social behavior reduces race to deterministic factors, ignoring the nuanced ways in which race interacts with other social