chapter 1: subtopics and terms Flashcards
Similarities and Differences in Everyday Life: Drawing Lines
why do we need similarities? Is similarity or difference more important? Are all differences eventually associated with inequality? we see that similarity helps us coexist
“Classified” Information: Forming Impressions, Variation Between Groups, Variation Within Groups
tendency to focus on differences that exist between groups (white v poc). this can obscure the differences between indiv with in the same group and obscure similarities of people in different broad groups
The Power of “Normal”: All Differences are not Created Equal
your identity and proximity to identities our society defines as normal determines your access to resources and overall life chances
Stratification, Power, and Privilege
people categorize others in comparison with themselves, make judgements about those others, then act towards them on the basis of those judgments
Theories of Inequality
—“why societies are unequal and stratified”
—“the two main groups of theories regarding stratification: structural-functionalism and conflict theories”
Structural-Functionalism
“a theoretical perspective that posits that social institutions are structured to maintain stability and order in society”
Conflict Theories
“a theoretical perspective that views the structure of society as a source of inequality, which always benefits some groups at the expense of other groups”
Culture
beleifs, language, customs, practices, rules, knowledge, etc
Two-ness
Concept of at the point individuals recognize that in order to progress the need to connect themselves to others (marriage and kids)
Stereotype
“overgeneralized belief that a certain trait, behavior, or attitude characterizes all members of some identifiable group,”
Status inconsistency
occurs when an indiv. societal positions are varied and these variation influence theri overall social status
Slum tourism/poorism
Wealthy people visit poor neighborhoods to view impoverished conditions and lifestyle
– like the poor are an amusement park - fascination and dehumanization, even with good intent the subtext is ill
Social identity
membership in various social groups
Sociological Perspective
“a way of examining everyday social life that emphasizes the interplay between societal forces and personal characteristics in influencing people“s thoughts, actions, feelings, judgments, and interactions”
American Dream
someone can gain financial success through hard work
Horatio Alger idea
idea that anyone can become rich through hard work
Cultural Capital (and types)
“status characteristics that can determine a person“s social opportunities”
— Embodied - knowledge gained by socialization ( EX knowledgeable abt expensive cars)
— Objectified - things/property (EX own expensive cars)
— Institutionalized - formalized recognition (EX wants to an esteemed institution of cars, and gained credentials)
stratification
“ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal rewards and life chances”
ascribed status
“a social identity or position that we obtain at birth or develop into involuntarily as we get older”
achieved status
“a social identity or position that we take on voluntarily or earn through our own efforts or accomplishments”
socioeconomic status
“prestige, honor, respect, and power associated with different social class positions in society”
false consciousness
ppp in lower strats. accept their position/disadvantages bc they have come to believe that wealth/success are solely products of individual effort
power
the ability to influence others and to pursue and achieve ones own goals
prestige
the amount of honor and respect ppl receive from others
cultural appropriation
a dangerous and dehumanizing form of exploitation in which the customs, looks, and practices of one ethnoracial culture are adopted by members of another
Aviciolli, “He Still Defies You” main pt
Buck, “Constructing Race, Creating White Privilege” main pt
