Definitions Flashcards
Define Wealth
Material Resources
Define Power
Ability to control resources
Define Prestige
Respect/status
What is Social Inequailty?
The differential access to wealth, power and prestige.
What are social differences/divisions?
When people are differentiates based on individual qualities and/or social roles.
What is Social Stratification?
The ranking of individuals into social positions ranging from high to low.
What is ascribed status?
This is the status you inherit through your parents, primary care givers or family (this is a status based on qualities we can not control).
What is acheived status?
Placement within the social hierarchy which is based on merit or achievement.
What is an open system of stratification?
A system in which there is the potential and ability for social mobility
What is a closed system of stratification?
A system in which there is no ability for social mobility
What is Social mobility?
The opportunity to move from one class/ position in the social hierarchy to another.
Define what Life Chances are.
Opportunites to aquire social resources
What influences life chances?
Education, physical and mental health, residence and parental/familial support.
What is individual mobility?
The ability of an individual to change their position in a social hierarchy.
What is group mobility?
When a particular group moves position in the social hierarchy, this generally happens, when an occupation has an increase in pay or status.
What does homophily mean?
The principle that we have stronger ties to people we are similar to.
Define meritocracy
A political system in which economic goods or politcal power are vested/given to individual people based on ability and talent, rather than wealth or social class.
Define capitalism
An economic and political system in which poperty, business and industry are controlled by private owners rather than by the state, with the purpose of making a profit.
Define instututionalism
The process of becoming a permenant or respected part of a society, system or organisation.
What is social darwinism?
The theory that human groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection as Charles Darwin perceived in plants and animals in nature. This theory is used to justify social inequalities and social rankings.
