Many sociological theories exist to explain and describe how different groups and cultures fit into society and the effect they have on it. In this article I will address two theoretical perspectives: theories of pluralism and psychological theories. I will also discuss my knowledge of the racial and ethnic identities of my parents, grandparents, and myself. Additionally, I will explain how the theoretical perspectives relate to each other in accordance with my racial and ethnic identity. Pluralism theory was formed as a reaction to the idea of ​​a “melting pot,” and “ethnicity remains a powerful force” (Aguirre and Turner 34-36). To clarify, pluralism occurs when subgroups or minorities in a society maintain their distinctive cultural identities. An ideal pluralistic society would encourage unique cultural traditions and practices, rather than merging with the dominant society (known as assimilation). According to the textbook, social identity theory is the most outstanding aspect of the psychological approach to understanding cultural relationships. (Aguirre and Turner 34-36). This theory addresses how people view themselves based on the various perspectives men have on their personalities. One level of this theory is a social identity that emerges when people see themselves as members of a social category. For example: male/female, African American/Native American/etc. The psychological perspective takes into account how cognitive processes can be influenced by categorization with social identities. My father was born in New York, after my grandparents moved there from Puerto Rico. I assume they moved to the United States to give my father a better opportunity to succeed, which he has of......half of the card......identity and are also helpful in understanding how I relate to the rest of society, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic. I am very happy to have the racial and ethnic qualities that I possess. They make me a stronger person, especially after facing ignorance and discrimination. I am also able to connect with more people, thanks to the broader knowledge I have of Spanish culture. The pluralistic nature of the United States is what makes this country so great. After seeing oppressed people in other parts of the world (in Syria, for example), understanding the cultural fusion in the United States really helps to appreciate what we have here. Works Cited1) Aguirre, Adalberto and Jonathan Turner. “Theories of Ethnic Relations.” American ethnicity: The dynamics and consequences of discrimination. Ed. Emily Barrosse. 6th ed. Riverside: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 34-36. Press.