Race is commonly defined by:

Race is commonly defined by:

• A. Physical characteristics
• B. Language and customs
• C. Economic class
• D. Political affiliation

Answer: (A)

Race is commonly defined by visible physical characteristics such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture, which people historically use to categorize individuals into groups. This everyday definition emphasizes observable traits, even though scientifically there’s more genetic overlap across so-called groups than differences. In social work, recognizing that race is often tied to how society perceives and assigns meaning to appearance helps explain why discrimination and bias persist and why culturally responsive practice is essential. The other factors—language and customs, economic class, and political affiliation—relate to culture, socioeconomic status, and identity, not to race itself.

Race is commonly defined by visible physical characteristics such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture, which people historically use to categorize individuals into groups. This everyday definition emphasizes observable traits, even though scientifically there’s more genetic overlap across so-called groups than differences. In social work, recognizing that race is often tied to how society perceives and assigns meaning to appearance helps explain why discrimination and bias persist and why culturally responsive practice is essential. The other factors—language and customs, economic class, and political affiliation—relate to culture, socioeconomic status, and identity, not to race itself.