Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which term is primarily a social classification based on physical markers?

1. Ethnicity

2. Culture

3. Race

4. National origin

The correct answer is: Race

The term that is primarily a social classification based on physical markers is race. Race generally refers to categories of people who are grouped together based on perceived physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair type. These classifications have historically been used to create societal hierarchies and differentiate individuals based on these visible attributes. Ethnicity, on the other hand, relates more to cultural identity, common ancestry, and shared experiences, which can include language, traditions, and values rather than solely physical traits. Culture encompasses the beliefs, customs, and practices of a particular group and is not determined by physical characteristics. National origin refers to the country where a person is born or has citizenship, which is a legal status rather than a classification based on physical characteristics. Thus, race stands out as the term that explicitly connects to social classifications deriving from observable physical differences among individuals.