Racial theories are ideas and beliefs that attempt to explain the differences among human groups based on physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair type. Historically, these theories have often been used to justify social hierarchies, discrimination, and unequal treatment of certain groups. Many racial theories have been debunked by modern science, which shows that genetic variation within so-called racial groups is often greater than that between them. Today, the concept of race is understood more as a social construct than a biological fact, emphasizing the importance of cultural and historical contexts in shaping human identity.