Caste Hierarchies
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2014
Published In
Encyclopedia Of Critical Psychology
Abstract
Caste is a mode of social differentiation based on hereditary membership. Caste is common across much of South Asia, though its meanings and significance varies. Caste categories sort populations into groups; the extent and nature of contact between these groups is regulated. Caste membership serves as means of social organization, including labor exchanges, social restriction, social segregation, and rankings. Endogamy,the practice of restricting marriages and other close personal relationships to group members, is a feature of most caste systems.
Keywords
Jati, social differentiation, Dalit, Ambedkar, Gandhi, endogamy
Published By
Springer
Editor(s)
T. Teo
Recommended Citation
Jeanne Marecek.
(2014).
"Caste Hierarchies".
Encyclopedia Of Critical Psychology.
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5583-7_34
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-psychology/1187