Chapter 7: Social Stratification

Question 1

Social Stratification

Answer 1

A system of ranking in which groups of people have differential access to wealth, power and prestige.

Question 2

Vertical Mobility

Answer 2

The up or down change in position of an individual or group within a system of social stratification.

Question 3

Closed System of Stratification

Answer 3

A system of social stratification where individuals have no opportunity to change position.

Question 4

Open System of Stratification

Answer 4

A system of social stratification where individuals may change position.

Question 5

Open systems do not necessarily mean movement occurs;

Answer 5

positions are influenced by both ascribed and achieved characteristics.

Question 6

Slave System of Stratification or slavery

Answer 6

A system of social stratification characterized by the ownership of people.

Question 7

What happened to slavery during the Middle Ages, and how did it change in the 1500s?

Answer 7

Slavery declined during the Middle Ages but saw a resurgence in the 1500s with European exploration and the enslavement of Africans.

Question 8

Does slavery still exist in the modern world?

Answer 8

Yes, slavery still exists in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.

Question 9

Estate System of Stratification

Answer 9

A system of social stratification characterized by control of land by a small elite group and peasants work the land to the benefit of the landowners.

Question 10

How did the freedom of serfs on estates compare to that of slaves?

Answer 10

Serfs had more freedom than slaves but usually lived in poverty and were under the control of the nobility.

Question 11

When did estate systems thrive in Europe, and what replaced them?

Answer 11

Estate systems thrived until the late 1700s, when industrialization led to the emergence of class systems.

Question 12

Caste System of Stratification

Answer 12

A system of social stratification where people are born into unequal groups based on their parents’ status and remain in these groups throughout their lives.

Question 13

Racial Caste System

Answer 13

A form of caste system in which an individual’s race determines their position in the stratification system.

Question 14

Racial Caste System examples

Answer 14

Jim Crow laws and terror tactics that denied African Americans the rights established by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

Question 15

Class System of Stratification

Answer 15

A system of social stratification associated with industrial and post-industrial societies in which individuals can move up or down in rank.

Question 16

Max Weber proposed that class systems are based on three dimensions:

Answer 16

wealth (the total value of an individual or family’s assets), power (the ability to impose one’s will), and prestige (the respect accorded to an individual).

Question 17

Classless Society

Answer 17

A society where stratification is non-existent.

Question 18

How have some large nations approached the issue of social stratification?

Answer 18

Some nations, like Russia and China, reduced inequality through revolutions but limited freedom. In contrast, social democracies like Sweden and Denmark combine capitalism and socialism, achieving high freedom, low economic inequality, and success.

Question 19

What are the key critiques of the Functionalist view on social stratification?

Answer 19

The importance of positions varies by circumstances; unimportant roles (e.g., professional athletes) may receive excessive rewards, while vital roles (e.g., teachers) do not; It assumes a meritocracy, overlooking how social structures limit opportunities for certain groups; The theory fails to justify extreme wealth and poverty in the U.S. and does not consider other reasons why people choose their jobs.

Question 20

Functionalist Theory of Stratification or Davis and Moore theory

Answer 20

The theory that states stratification is
necessary and inevitable in order to induce people with special knowledge and abilities
to enter into the most vital occupations.

Question 21

Conflict Theory of Stratification

Answer 21

The Conflict Theory argues that stratification is neither necessary nor inevitable; it arises from a lack of opportunity and discrimination, resulting from the exploitation of the masses by the elite.

Question 22

Ideology

Answer 22

A systematic body of ideas and beliefs.

Question 23

False Class Consciousness

Answer 23

Occurs when workers have adopted the ideology of the elite and are not aware of their true position in society.

Question 23

[_] is part of every form of stratification.

Answer 23

Ideology

Question 24

All forms of [_] have prompted social movements intended to overthrow systemic inequality.

Answer 24

social stratification

Question 25

Reform Social Movement

Answer 25

A type of social movement that seeks limited, though still significant changes in some aspect of a nation’s political, economic or social systems.

Question 26

Reform Social Movement examples

Answer 26

The abolitionist movement before the Civil War, women’s suffrage, labor movement, Civil Rights, women’s rights, Chicano Movement, and gay rights.

Question 27

Symbolic Interaction Theory of Stratification

Answer 27

The theory that states stratification affect’s people’s beliefs, lifestyles, daily interactions and conceptions of themselves.

Question 28

What does Thorstein Veblen’s study of conspicuous consumption reveal about status and poverty?

Answer 28

Veblen’s study shows that people use purchases to signal wealth and status. Conversely, those in poverty face not only financial struggles but also societal disdain that equates poverty with inferiority.

Question 29

Socioeconomic Status

Answer 29

The social standing of an individual or family in relation to others based on measures such as education, income and/or occupation.

Question 30

How do conflict theorists assess social class in the workplace?

Answer 30

Conflict theorists look at company ownership and workplace dynamics, but since modern workplaces differ from Marx’s vision, they also consider factors like worker autonomy and supervision levels.

Question 31

Upper Class

Answer 31

The social group with the highest socioeconomic status in society who monopolize the majority of societal resources.

Question 32

How is the upper class divided?

Answer 32

The upper class is divided into two categories: the upper-upper class, with old money and significant political influence, and the lower-upper class, with new money. Although the lower-upper class may have similar wealth, they have less prestige due to their more recent acquisition of wealth.

Question 33

The upper class consists of about [_] of the population with incomes more than $200,000.

Answer 33

10.3%

Question 34

Middle Class

Answer 34

The social group positioned between the upper and working classes who typically work in white-collar occupations and who have a moderate standard of living.

Question 35

About [_] of the population falls in the middle class, with incomes ranging from $50,000 to $199,000.

Answer 35

52%

Question 36

What are the characteristics of the upper-middle class?

Answer 36

The upper-middle class consists of college graduates in professions like banking and law, enjoying comfortable lifestyles.

Question 37

What are the characteristics of the lower-middle class?

Answer 37

The lower-middle class includes individuals with less prestigious degrees or no degree, working in white-collar jobs like nursing and teaching, and leading more modest lifestyles.

Question 38

Working Class

Answer 38

The social group positioned between the middle and lower classes who typically work blue-collar occupations and who are economically vulnerable.

Question 39

The working class make up approximately [_] of the population who earn between $25,000-49,000, who typically do not have college degrees and may not have high school degrees, and who work in construction, restaurant service and factories.

Answer 39

20%

Question 40

Lower Class

Answer 40

The social group with the lowest socioeconomic status in society who are marginalized and deprived.

Question 41

The lower class make up [_] of households in the U.S.. The lower class earn less than $25,000 per annum, many lack high school degrees, are unemployed or work in unskilled labor (janitor, house cleaner), rent their homes, lack insurance and eat poorly.

Answer 41

18%

Question 42

Intergenerational Mobility

Answer 42

Social mobility from one generation to the next within the same family.

Question 43

Intragenerational Mobility

Answer 43

Social mobility of an individual within their own lifetime.

Question 44

Structural Mobility

Answer 44

Social mobility of a group of people up or down the social class ladder in response to changes within society.

Question 45

Structural Mobility examples

Answer 45

Industrialization in the early 20th century (upward), and more recently jobs being outsourced and the Great Recession (downward).

Question 46

[_] is the most effective method of increasing upward mobility.

Answer 46

Education

Question 47

Economic Inequality

Answer 47

The extent of the economic difference between the rich and the poor.

Question 48

GINI Index Coefficient

Answer 48

A measure used by the World Bank to determine the degree of economic inequality that exists in a nation.

Question 49

Poverty Line

Answer 49

A measure of official poverty calculated using data on food expenses and which is adjusted for family size.

Question 50

Anyone surviving on an income between the poverty line and [_] have trouble meeting their needs and are crushed by additional expenses that occur.

Answer 50

no-frills budget

Question 51

Twice-Poverty or Low Income

Answer 51

Family incomes below double the poverty line.

Question 52

Poverty tends to have a [_], with people cycling in and out of poverty regularly.

Answer 52

revolving door aspect

Question 53

Episodic Poverty

Answer 53

Being poor for at least two consecutive months in some time period.

Question 54

Those without a high school diploma and female-headed households more likely to experience [_].

Answer 54

episodic poverty

Question 55

Proportion of poverty by race and ethnicity in the U.S.

Answer 55

Latinos, Blacks, and Native Americans are twice or more as likely to be in poverty compared to Whites and Asian Americans.

Question 56

Feminization of Poverty

Answer 56

A phenomenon whereby women experience poverty at higher rates in comparison to men.

Question 57

The education level and attainment of employment by a child’s parents has repercussions on the child’s [_].

Answer 57

economic security

Question 58

Debunking Poverty Myths

Answer 58

Myth: The poor are lazy.
Fact: Many work multiple jobs but still struggle to make ends meet.

Myth: Poverty is primarily African American.
Fact: People of all races experience poverty, though disparities exist.

Myth: Poor families tend to be larger to receive more aid.
Fact: Family size does not directly correlate with receiving assistance.

Myth: Helping the poor is a losing prospect.
Fact: Investing in poverty reduction benefits society as a whole.

Myth: Poverty exists only in urban areas.
Fact: Rural poverty is also significant and often overlooked.

Question 59

Culture of Poverty Theory

Answer 59

A theory in which it is claimed the poor have beliefs and values that differ from the non-poor, and it is these beliefs and values that contribute to their poverty.

Question 60

Structural Theory of Poverty

Answer 60

Theory of poverty that explain U.S. poverty stems from problems in the social institutions of society that lead to lack of equal opportunity.

Question 61

Consequences of Poverty

Answer 61

Greater risk for family problems
Greater risk for health problems
Greater likelihood of attending underfunded schools and less likelihood of graduating from high school
A variety of housing issues