In sociology minority also implies:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Collectivity having group solidarity
Option (1) Numerical distinction — Incorrect. In sociology the notion of minority is more than a merely numerical distinction. People who are left-handed are few in number, yet they are not a minority in the sociological sense.
Option (2) Relative advantage — Incorrect. Minority usually involves a sense of relative disadvantage, not advantage. A privileged group such as the very wealthy is called a minority only with a qualifier, as a ‘privileged minority’.
Option (3) Collectivity having group solidarity — Correct. The sociological sense of minority also implies that its members form a collectivity: they have a strong sense of group solidarity, a feeling of togetherness and belonging. This is linked to disadvantage, because facing prejudice and discrimination heightens intra-group loyalty.
Option (4) Dominance — Incorrect. A minority used without qualification is a relatively small and disadvantaged group, the opposite of a dominant one.
NCERT (2025-26): “6.3 Religion-related Issues and Identities … The notion of minority groups is widely used in sociology and is more than a merely numerical distinction – it usually involves some sense of relative disadvantage. Thus, privileged minorities such as extremely wealthy people are not usually referred to as minorities; if they are, the term is qualified in some way, as in the phrase ‘privileged minority’. When minority is used without qualification, it generally implies a relatively small but also disadvantaged group. The sociological sense of minority also implies that the members of the minority form a collectivity – that is, they have a strong sense of group solidarity, a feeling of togetherness and belonging. This is linked to disadvantage because the experience of being subjected to prejudice and discrimination usually heightens feelings of intra-group loyalty and interests (Giddens 2001:248).…” |