Chapter 7: Social Stratification Flashcards
Social Stratification
A system of ranking in which groups of people have differential access to wealth, power and prestige.
Vertical Mobility
The up or down change in position of an individual or group within a system of social stratification.
Closed System of Stratification
A system of social stratification where individuals have no opportunity to change position.
Open System of Stratification
A system of social stratification where individuals may change position.
Open systems do not necessarily mean movement occurs;
positions are influenced by both ascribed and achieved characteristics.
Slave System of Stratification or slavery
A system of social stratification characterized by the ownership of people.
What happened to slavery during the Middle Ages, and how did it change in the 1500s?
Slavery declined during the Middle Ages but saw a resurgence in the 1500s with European exploration and the enslavement of Africans.
Does slavery still exist in the modern world?
Yes, slavery still exists in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.
Estate System of Stratification
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.
How did the freedom of serfs on estates compare to that of slaves?
Serfs had more freedom than slaves but usually lived in poverty and were under the control of the nobility.
When did estate systems thrive in Europe, and what replaced them?
Estate systems thrived until the late 1700s, when industrialization led to the emergence of class systems.
Caste System of Stratification
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.
Racial Caste System
A form of caste system in which an individual’s race determines their position in the stratification system.
Racial Caste System examples
Jim Crow laws and terror tactics that denied African Americans the rights established by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
Class System of Stratification
A system of social stratification associated with industrial and post-industrial societies in which individuals can move up or down in rank.
Max Weber proposed that class systems are based on three dimensions:
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).
Classless Society
A society where stratification is non-existent.
How have some large nations approached the issue of social stratification?
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.
What are the key critiques of the Functionalist view on social stratification?
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.
Functionalist Theory of Stratification or Davis and Moore theory
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.
Conflict Theory of Stratification
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.
Ideology
A systematic body of ideas and beliefs.
False Class Consciousness
Occurs when workers have adopted the ideology of the elite and are not aware of their true position in society.
[_] is part of every form of stratification.
Ideology
All forms of [_] have prompted social movements intended to overthrow systemic inequality.
social stratification
Reform Social Movement
A type of social movement that seeks limited, though still significant changes in some aspect of a nation’s political, economic or social systems.
Reform Social Movement examples
The abolitionist movement before the Civil War, women’s suffrage, labor movement, Civil Rights, women’s rights, Chicano Movement, and gay rights.
Symbolic Interaction Theory of Stratification
The theory that states stratification affect’s people’s beliefs, lifestyles, daily interactions and conceptions of themselves.
What does Thorstein Veblen’s study of conspicuous consumption reveal about status and poverty?
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.
Socioeconomic Status
The social standing of an individual or family in relation to others based on measures such as education, income and/or occupation.
How do conflict theorists assess social class in the workplace?
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.
Upper Class
The social group with the highest socioeconomic status in society who monopolize the majority of societal resources.
How is the upper class divided?
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.
The upper class consists of about [_] of the population with incomes more than $200,000.
10.3%
Middle Class
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.
About [_] of the population falls in the middle class, with incomes ranging from $50,000 to $199,000.
52%
What are the characteristics of the upper-middle class?
The upper-middle class consists of college graduates in professions like banking and law, enjoying comfortable lifestyles.
What are the characteristics of the lower-middle class?
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.
Working Class
The social group positioned between the middle and lower classes who typically work blue-collar occupations and who are economically vulnerable.
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.
20%
Lower Class
The social group with the lowest socioeconomic status in society who are marginalized and deprived.
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.
18%
Intergenerational Mobility
Social mobility from one generation to the next within the same family.
Intragenerational Mobility
Social mobility of an individual within their own lifetime.
Structural Mobility
Social mobility of a group of people up or down the social class ladder in response to changes within society.
Structural Mobility examples
Industrialization in the early 20th century (upward), and more recently jobs being outsourced and the Great Recession (downward).
[_] is the most effective method of increasing upward mobility.
Education
Economic Inequality
The extent of the economic difference between the rich and the poor.
GINI Index Coefficient
A measure used by the World Bank to determine the degree of economic inequality that exists in a nation.
Poverty Line
A measure of official poverty calculated using data on food expenses and which is adjusted for family size.
Anyone surviving on an income between the poverty line and [_] have trouble meeting their needs and are crushed by additional expenses that occur.
no-frills budget
Twice-Poverty or Low Income
Family incomes below double the poverty line.
Poverty tends to have a [_], with people cycling in and out of poverty regularly.
revolving door aspect
Episodic Poverty
Being poor for at least two consecutive months in some time period.
Those without a high school diploma and female-headed households more likely to experience [_].
episodic poverty
Proportion of poverty by race and ethnicity in the U.S.
Latinos, Blacks, and Native Americans are twice or more as likely to be in poverty compared to Whites and Asian Americans.
Feminization of Poverty
A phenomenon whereby women experience poverty at higher rates in comparison to men.
The education level and attainment of employment by a child’s parents has repercussions on the child’s [_].
economic security
Debunking Poverty Myths
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.
Culture of Poverty Theory
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.
Structural Theory of Poverty
Theory of poverty that explain U.S. poverty stems from problems in the social institutions of society that lead to lack of equal opportunity.
Consequences of Poverty
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
