Scientific racism refers to the use of pseudoscientific claims and theories to support or justify racist beliefs and practices. Here are some examples from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries:
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Phrenology: This was a popular theory that suggested that the shape of a person's skull could determine their character, intelligence, and propensity for criminal behavior. Some phrenologists claimed that certain racial groups had cranial features that indicated inferior intelligence.
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Eugenics: This movement aimed to improve the genetic quality of a human population through selective breeding and sterilization. Many eugenicists in the early twentieth century promoted the idea that certain races were superior to others and advocated for policies that discriminated against marginalized groups.
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Social Darwinism: Misapplying Charles Darwin's theories of evolution, proponents of social Darwinism argued that "survival of the fittest" could be applied to human societies, leading to the justification of imperialism and racial hierarchy.
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IQ Testing: In the early 20th century, intelligence tests were developed that many claimed showed significant differences in intelligence between races. These tests were often biased and led to the conclusion that some racial groups were inherently inferior.
Each of these examples illustrates how scientific claims were used to justify systemic racism and discrimination during those periods. If you have a specific list in mind, please provide it, and I can help identify which example fits as scientific racism.