Ethnic and Cultural Differences

An ethnic group is a group of people who have a common identity based on historical, social, or cultural reasons. Everyone has some ethnicity, although often people who belong to the dominant ethic group of a nation don't consider themselves to belong to an ethnic group (Woolfolk & Margetts, 2010).

Different ethnicity between different students can cause conflict for numerous reasons, and some of these may be contributing to the conflict between Jeremy and Michahale and Nick:

• Communication Problems: Even thought different ethnic groups may speak the same language, differences in views on etiquette and appropriate language can cause conflict (Lo Bianco & Crozet, 2003). Also, come areas that may be considered appropriate for discussion in one culture may not be appropriate in another.
• Value Differences: Different ethnic groups may also have different values that can lead to conflict (Lo Bianco & Crozet, 2003). As identified before, Nick's views on gender roles is one such value difference that may be culturally based.

It should also be considered that Michahale attributes his after-school fight with Jeremy to a comment Jeremy said that Michahale considered offensive. It is possible that this comment was ethnically orientated, which can easily escalate into physical violence.