Ch 8. Social Stratification

Question 1

Social Stratification

Answer 1

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in hierarchy

Question 2

Social Stratification is…. (4)

Answer 2

1. A trait of society
2. Persists over generation
3. Universal but variable
4. Involves not just inequality but beliefs

Question 3

Social Mobility

Answer 3

A change in position within the social hierarchy

Question 4

Caste System

Answer 4

Social Stratification based on ascription or birth

Question 5

Class System

Answer 5

Social Stratification based on both birth and individual achievement

Question 6

Open Stratification System

Answer 6

when merit rather than inheritance (ascribed characteristics) determines social rank

Question 7

Closed Stratification system

Answer 7

System based on inheritance rather than merit determines social rank. Little social change is possible

Question 8

Meritocracy

Answer 8

Social Stratification based on personal merit

Question 9

Status Consistency

Answer 9

the degree of uniformity in a person’s social standing across various dimensions of social inequality

Question 10

Structural Social Mobility

Answer 10

A shift in social position of large numbers of people due more to changes in society itself than to individual’s efforts.

Question 11

Classless Societies

Answer 11

The former Soviet Union claimed to be one, but the party members had great advantages

Question 12

Major reason that social hierarchies endure?

Answer 12

Ideology. Which means: “Cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements, including patterns of inequality”

Question 13

Marx’s View of hierarchies

Answer 13

Marx says culture and institutions combine to support the society’s elite. This is why established hierarchies last a long time

Question 14

Davis-Moore Thesis
(Structural-Functional Theory)

Answer 14

Social Stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of society. (Why else is it found in every society?)

Question 15

Davis and Moore’s claims about stratification (3)

Answer 15

1. Social Stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society
2. The greater the importance/talent required in a position, the more rewards society attaches to it
3. Egalitarian societies offer little incentive for people to try their best

Question 16

Social Conflict Theory regarding Social Stratification

Answer 16

Social Stratification doesn’t benefit society as a whole but rather benefits some people and disadvantages others.

Question 17

Marx’s view on Capitalism

Answer 17

Capitalism makes workers poorer and gives them little control over what they make and how they make it. To replace capitalism, Marx proposed a socialist system that would meet the needs of all rather than just the needs of the elite few. He also predicted that proletarians would eventually revolt

Question 18

Capitalist

Answer 18

People who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits

Question 19

Proletarians

Answer 19

People who sell their labour for wages

Question 20

Alienation

Answer 20

The experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

Question 21

Why no Marxist Revolution?

Answer 21

1. Fragmentation of capitalist class (33% (4.9 million) of Canadian households have a direct stake in the capitalist system)
2. There’s a higher standard of living for Canadians. Income has risen while average hours in a work-week decreased
3. More worker organizations. Workers have the right to form labour unions.
4. Greater legal protections. New laws have made the workplace safer.

Question 22

Socio-Economic Status (SES)

Answer 22

A composite ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality

Question 23

Conspicuous Consumption

Answer 23

Buying and using products because of the “statement” they make about social position

Question 24

Cultural Capital

Answer 24

The symbolic elements such as skills, tastes, clothing, material belongings that represent a person’s social standing

Question 25

Kuznet’s Curve

Answer 25

Simon Kuznet illustrated the Kuznets curve which shows that greater technological sophistication is generally accompanied by more pronounced social stratification

Question 26

Symbolic Interaction Theory on Stratification

Answer 26

Stratification is multidimensional: economic classes, status, and power. In most communities, people interact primarily with other people of the same social standing.

Question 27

Occupational Prestige

Answer 27

We commonly evaluate each other according to the kind of work we do, giving more respect to what we consider to be more important work and less to others with modest jobs

Question 28

Four general ranking of social class

Answer 28

1. Upper Class - top 5%, earns at least $120,000. The “upper-uppers” are less than 1% of Canada and wealth is mostly from birth.
2. Middle Class - 40-45%. Upper middle class makes $88,000-$125,000. Average middle class makes $62,000-$88,000.
3. Working class - 33%. $38,500-$62,000. College/Uni is only a reality for 25% of the working-class children
4. Lower class - remaining 20% “working poor”

Question 29

Intragenerational social mobility

Answer 29

A change in social position occurring during a person’s lifetime

Question 30

Intergenerational Social Mobility

Answer 30

Upward or Downward social mobility or children in relation to their part

Question 31

5 conclusions about social mobility in North America

Answer 31

1. Social mobility over the past century has been fairly high
2. Within a single generation, social mobility is usually small
3. The long-term trend in social mobility has been upward.
4. Since the 1970s, social mobility has been uneven
5. The short-term trend in social mobility has been downward

Question 32

Disturbing Trends of Stratification:

Answer 32

1. For many workers, earnings have stalled
2. More jobs offer little income
3. Young people are remaining at home

Question 33

Relative Poverty

Answer 33

A lack of resources of some people in relation to those who have more

Question 34

Absolute Poverty

Answer 34

A lack of resources that is life-threatening

Question 35

Explaining Poverty

Answer 35

1. Blame the Poor
2. Blame Society

Question 36

Over-represented people groups in poverty:

Answer 36

Lone parents (esp women), unattached individuals, recent new comers, people with disabilities, indigenous people

Question 37

LICO

Answer 37

Low Income Cut-Off. Determining what is required for anyone to live above a certain standard. Living in poverty is spending 63% of income (after tax) on basic needs