chapter 13 pt 2

Question 1

Social class structures are important because

Answer 1

They strongly affect norms and values and therefore behavior

Question 2

Tickle down effect

Answer 2

Refers to trends that start in the upper classes and then are copied by lower classes

Question 3

Status float

Answer 3

Refers to trends that start in the lower and middle class and move upward

Question 4

Social class can be determined by

Answer 4

income levels

Occupation and education

otehr indications (i.e. area of residence, possessions, family background and social interactions)

Question 5

social class structure are not necessarily static, unchanging systems. Three of the key forces producing an evolution in social class structures in many countries are

Answer 5

Upward mobility

Downward obility

Social class fragmentation

Question 6

Upward mobility

Answer 6

Raising ones social status

Question 7

Downward mobility

Answer 7

Losing ones social status

Question 8

Social class fragmentation

Answer 8

The disappearance of class distinctions

Question 9

How does social class affect consumption

Answer 9

Social class is often viewed as a cause of or motivation for consumer acquisition, consumption and disposition behaviors

Question 10

Conspicious consumption

Answer 10

Is the acquisition and display of goods and services to show off ones status

Question 11

Conspicious waste

Answer 11

Refers to visibly buying products and services that one never uses

Question 12

Voluntary simplicity

Answer 12

Consciously limiting their acquisition and consumption for less material, eco friendly lifestyle

Question 13

What happens when goods or services become status symbols

Answer 13

Highly related to conspicious consumption of the notion that people often judge others on the basis of what they own. in other words, goods or sevices become status symbols, which are products or services that tell others about someones social class standing

Question 14

Parody display

Answer 14

When status symbols move in a revers direction

When status symbols start in the lower social classes and move upwards

Question 15

Fraudulent symbols

Answer 15

If certain status symbols become widely possessed, they can lose their status connotations and become fraudulent symbols

Question 16

Compensatory consumption

Answer 16

Is the consumer behavior of buying products or services to offset frustrations or difficulties in life

Question 17

Upper class (consumption patters of specific social classes

Answer 17

The upper class consumers tend to save and invest money more than members of other classes. Although many of these consumers are price-conscious, they are more ikely than other consumers to carfully research their purchases using product characteristics, not price, as an indicator of quantity

Question 18

working class (consumption patterso of specific social classes)

Answer 18

Consumers in the working class are more likely to spend than to save, but when they do save, many choose savings accounts over investments and seek financial stability. They are more likely to judge product quality on the basis of price (higher price means higher quanitity), to shop in discount stores, and to have less product information when purchasing

Question 19

Homeless consumers (consumption patterns of specific social classes)

Answer 19

a particularly important survival activity for hoeless consumers is scavenging, finding used or partially used goods that others have discarded. They are not helpless but rather are a “resourceful, determined and capable group that proactively deals with its lack of resources in the consumer environment”