Social scientists often state that there are four models of group interaction, models of pluralism, assimilation, segregation, and genocide. These models exist on a sliding scale in terms of the degree of positive relations they exhibit between the dominant or hegemonic group and the minority or less powerful group involved in the interaction. In the first interactive model, that of pluralism, there is the smallest gulf of power between the majority and the minority group, or the most powerful and least powerful group in the dynamic. In a pluralistic state of interaction, no single group's set of values or one group truly dominates another group's set of values. This is a kind of mosaic model of group interaction, as is embraced in Canada, where a multitude of linguistic and ethnic groups are all considered equally 'Canadian,' and is also a model of interaction theoretically embraced within many American universities regarding student diversity. .

             In America as a whole, however, the assimilation or melting pot identity model has tended to dominate, whereby newcomers and minorities are asked to adopt certain cultural norms and mannerisms to become part of the majority-dominated 'American' whole-in such a past view, ethnic groups had to cast off their old ways, language, foods, and practices to become 'American,' either upon entry at Ellis Island, or, after the first generation gave birth to a second generation of children who were supposed to 'make good' in America, by leaving their old, single-ethnicity neighborhoods. .

             This pro-assimilation model of the American urban North, however, was deemed more favorable than the segregation-ere model of the American South, where groups were divided inequitably, groups did not mix in either school, social, or vocational contexts, and one group was deemed inferior to the other. Such a model might also be called the Eastern European ghetto model of group interaction, where once the group is cloistered in the ghetto, members of the group could not leave it to better their economic lot in life, without violent repercussions like prejudicial attacks (like lynchings) and pogroms.