There are many sociological theories to explain and describe how different groups and cultures fit into society and the effect they have on it. I will discuss two theoretical perspectives in this article: 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 based on my racial and ethnic identity. Pluralism theory was formed in 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 retain their distinctive cultural identities. An ideal pluralistic society would encourage unique traditions and cultural practices, instead of blending into the dominant society (known as assimilation). According to the textbook, social identity theory is the most notable aspect of the psychological approach to understanding cultural relationships. (Aguirre and Turner 34-36). This theory addresses how people perceive themselves based on the different perspectives they have on their personality. One level of this theory is the social identity that emerges when people see themselves as members of a social category. For example: male/female, African American/Native American/and others, etc. The psychological perspective considers how cognitive processes may be affected by categorization with social identities. My father was born in New York, after my grandparents moved away. there from Puerto Rico. I guess they moved to the US to give my father a better opportunity to succeed, which he has in middle of paper...... identity and are also helpful in understanding my relationships with the rest. of society, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic. I am very fortunate to have the racial and ethnic qualities that I have. They make me a stronger person, especially after facing ignorance and discrimination. I am also able to communicate with more people, thanks to my broader knowledge of Spanish culture. The pluralistic nature of the United States is what makes this country great. After seeing people oppressed in other parts of the world (in Syria for example), understanding the cultural mix in the United States really helps one 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. Émilie Barrosse. 6th ed. Riverside: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 34-36. Print.