Chapter 8 Flashcards
Social Stratification
Hierarchical ranking of people in a society who have different access to valued resources
Open Stratification system
System that is bases on individual achievement s and allows movement up or down
Closed Stratification
System in which movement from one social position to another is limited ascribed statuses such as sex, skin color
Social Class
Category of people who have a similar standing or ran in a society bases on wealth, education, power and prestige
Wealth
Abundance of economic asserts and material possession that a person or family owns
Prestige
Respect, recognition or regards attached to social positions
Power
Ability of individuals or groups to achieve goals, control events and maintain influence over others
Socioeconomic status (SES)
Overall ranking of a persons position in the class hierarchy bases on income, education, and occupation
Working poor
People that work at least 27 weeks a year but receive such low wages that they live in or near poverty
Underclass
People who are persistently poor and seldom employed residentially segregated and relatively isolated
Life chances
Extent to which people have positive experiences and can secure the good things in life
Absolute poverty
Not having enough money to afford the most basic necessities of life
Relative poverty
Not having enough money to maintain an average standard of living
Poverty line
Minimal level of income that the federal government considers necessary for basic subsistence
Feminization of poverty
Higher likelihood that female heads of households will be poor
Social mobiliy
Persons ability to move up or down the social class
Horizontal mobility
Moving from one position to another at the same class level
Vertical mobility
Moving up or down the class hierarchy
Intra generational mobility
Moving up or down the class over ones lifetime
Intergenerational mobility
Moving up or down the class hierarchy relative to the positions of one parents
Davis-Moore thesis
Functionalist view that social stratification benefits a society
Meritocracy
Belief that individuals are rewarded for what they do and how well rather than on the basis of their ascribed status
Bourgeoisie
Who own and control capital and the means of production
Proletariat
Workers who sell their labor for wages
Corporate welfare
An array of subsidies, tax breaks, and assistance that the government has created for businesses
