Final answer:
Race is a social construct that refers to physical differences considered significant by a society. Ethnicity describes shared culture and national origin. The main difference between race and ethnicity is that race focuses on physical characteristics, while ethnicity focuses on shared culture and national origin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Race: Race is a social construct that refers to superficial physical differences that a particular society considers significant. It has changed across cultures and eras, becoming less connected with ancestral and familial ties and more concerned with superficial physical characteristics. For example, in the past, race categories were based on geographic regions, skin colors, and ethnicities.
Ethnicity: Ethnicity describes shared culture and national origin. It refers to the cultural practices, values, beliefs, and traditions that a group of people share. Ethnicity is related to a person's heritage, language, religion, and customs.
Difference between race and ethnicity: The main difference is that race focuses on physical characteristics, while ethnicity focuses on shared culture and national origin. Race is usually determined by superficial traits like skin color, hair texture, and eye shape, while ethnicity is rooted in cultural practices and traditions.