Identity - Paper 1 Flashcards
What is social inequality?
The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
Define ‘stratification’.
The hierarchical arrangement of individuals in a society based on factors like wealth, power, and social status.
True or False: Social mobility refers to the ability to move up or down the social hierarchy.
True
What are the three main types of social stratification?
Caste system, class system, and estate system.
Fill in the blank: ________ is a system of stratification based on ascribed status.
Caste system
What is the primary focus of the functionalist perspective on social inequality?
To explain how inequality contributes to the stability and functioning of society.
Who proposed the concept of ‘meritocracy’?
Michael Young
Multiple Choice: Which sociologist is associated with the conflict theory of social inequality? A) Emile Durkheim B) Karl Marx C) Max Weber D) Talcott Parsons
B) Karl Marx
What does the term ‘intersectionality’ refer to?
The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, creating overlapping systems of disadvantage.
True or False: The poverty line is a fixed income level that does not change over time.
False
What is absolute poverty?
A condition where an individual cannot meet basic needs for survival, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
What is relative poverty?
A condition where an individual is unable to maintain an average standard of living compared to others in society.
Fill in the blank: ________ refers to the unequal treatment of individuals based on their social group.
Discrimination
What is the role of education in social mobility?
Education can provide individuals with the skills and qualifications necessary to improve their social status.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a form of capital according to Pierre Bourdieu? A) Economic B) Cultural C) Social D) Historical
D) Historical
Who is known for the study of ‘social capital’?
Pierre Bourdieu
True or False: Gender inequality is only a concern in developing countries.
False
What does ‘glass ceiling’ refer to?
An invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in their careers.
Fill in the blank: ________ is a term that describes the disparity in income and wealth between different groups in society.
Economic inequality
What is the significance of the ‘Davis-Moore hypothesis’?
It argues that social stratification is necessary for the functioning of society, as it ensures that the most qualified individuals fill the most important roles.
What are ‘life chances’?
The opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life based on their social position.
Multiple Choice: Which sociologist analyzed the relationship between social class and lifestyle? A) Erving Goffman B) Thorstein Veblen C) Georg Simmel D) Robert Putnam
B) Thorstein Veblen
What is ‘status inconsistency’?
A situation where an individual holds differing levels of status in different social contexts.
True or False: The welfare state is designed to reduce social inequality.
True
Define ‘income inequality’.
The unequal distribution of income across different individuals or groups in a society.
What is ‘wealth inequality’?
The unequal distribution of assets among residents of an economy.
Fill in the blank: ________ refers to the economic disparity between the richest and poorest individuals in a society.
Income gap
What is ‘racial inequality’?
The unequal treatment and opportunities afforded to individuals based on their race.
Multiple Choice: Which theory suggests that social inequality is a result of systemic discrimination? A) Functionalism B) Conflict Theory C) Symbolic Interactionism D) Feminist Theory
B) Conflict Theory
What is the ‘income distribution curve’?
A graphical representation showing how income is distributed among a population.
True or False: Social inequality can impact health outcomes.
True
What does ‘gender pay gap’ refer to?
The average difference in pay between men and women in the workforce.
Fill in the blank: ________ is the term for the social and economic advantages that come with being part of a particular racial or ethnic group.
Racial privilege
What is ‘educational inequality’?
The unequal distribution of academic resources and opportunities across different groups.
Multiple Choice: Who wrote ‘The Sociological Imagination’? A) C. Wright Mills B) Herbert Spencer C) Max Weber D) Emile Durkheim
A) C. Wright Mills
What is the ‘digital divide’?
The gap between individuals who have access to modern information and communication technology and those who do not.
True or False: Social inequality can lead to social unrest.
True
What is the impact of globalization on social inequality?
Globalization can exacerbate inequalities by benefiting wealthier nations and individuals while marginalizing poorer ones.
Fill in the blank: ________ refers to the patterns of inequality that exist within different social institutions.
Institutional inequality
What is the role of policy in addressing social inequality?
Policies can help reduce inequality by promoting equal opportunities and protecting marginalized groups.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a method of measuring social inequality? A) Gini coefficient B) GDP per capita C) HDI D) All of the above
D) All of the above
True or False: Social inequality is a static condition that does not change over time.
False
What is the significance of the ‘American Dream’ in discussions of social inequality?
It represents the idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work, which can be challenged by the reality of systemic inequalities.
