Chapter 8 Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience Chapter Study Outline Defining Race and Ethnicity Race is a socially defined category, based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people. Ethnicity is a socially defined category based on common language, religion, nationality, history, or another cultural factor. Sociologists see race and ethnicity as social constructions because they are not rooted in biological differences, they change over time, and they never have firm boundaries. Symbolic ethnicity is an ethnic identity that is only relevant on specific occasions and does not significantly impact everyday life. Situational ethnicity is an ethnic identity that can be either displayed or concealed depending on its usefulness in a given situation.