Inequality in Society Flashcards
This deck covers the entirety of MCAT foundational concept 10 ("social stratification and access to resources"), which is a heavily-tested part of MCAT psychology.
Define:
social stratification
It refers to the grouping of people in a society into levels of a hierarchy.
This is most commonly discussed in sociology with reference to socioeconomic status (middle-class, upper-class, etc.).
Define:
segregation
It refers to the practice of separating people in society on the basis of demographic factors, such as race or religion.
A classic example of segregation occurred prior to the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which ruled that segregation by race in schools was unconstitutional in the U.S.
What is the term for differences in opportunities, outcomes, and access to resources between different social groups?
social inequality
Many forms of social inequality exist and will be covered in this flashcard deck.
What is the term for the region-based separation within cities, where higher-income and lower-income areas are distinctly divided?
residential segregation
Residential segregation is the physical separation of groups into different neighborhoods, commonly along racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, or religious lines. This sorting into various neighborhood contexts shapes the living environment of the area.
Fill in the blank.
One process that can impact neighborhoods is ________, or the infusion of wealth into an area in a manner that often forces low-income residents to move.
gentrification
Gentrification also appears on the MCAT in the context of demographic shifts. It is a controversial process, with both pros and cons.
True or false.
With the exception of areas that become gentrified, regions subjected to residential segregation tend to stay that way unless intervened with.
True
An unfortunate reality of residential segregation is that it tends to persist, as poorer people cannot afford to move out of poor areas and wealthier people often do not want to move in.
Fill in the blank.
Researchers looking to investigate neighborhood safety, violence, and socioeconomic profile would be most likely to find a ________ or ________ correlation between safety and socioeconomic profile.
positive or direct
The relationship between socioeconomic status, neighborhood safety, and violence is that poor neighborhoods (low SES) generally have higher crime rates and are less safe, often accompanied by an increased police presence. Thus, there is usually a direct correlation between safety and SES.
Fill in the blank.
Health in poorer neighborhoods suffers due to factors such as pollution and persists due to lower-quality healthcare and overcrowding. These disparities reflect a lack of ________ _______ in these neighborhoods.
environmental justice
Environmental justice is the fair treatment of all people with regard to environmental laws and policies that might affect them. This encompasses obvious environmental factors (such as pollution) but also includes less obvious ones (such as overcrowding in urban areas).
Define:
social reproduction
The transmission of social inequalities from one generation to the next.
For instance, poorer families often cannot afford to provide a good education for their children, meaning that those children—through no fault of their own—often grow up to be impoverished as well.
What does the theory of social reproduction suggest about Amy’s likely socioeconomic status if her parents were middle-class?
middle-class as well
According to the concept of social reproduction, children learn behaviors and are afforded certain opportunities that tend to cause them to stay in the same or a similar social class as their parents.
True or false.
Social reproduction does not apply to high-socioeconomic status (SES) individuals and families.
False
Social reproduction applies to all people and families, regardless of SES. In fact, one factor perpetuating social inequality is that children of wealthy parents tend to grow up and be wealthy as well (whether due to inheritances, better educational opportunities, or other factors).
Define:
social class
It refers to any group of individuals who occupy a similar position in the economic system of society.
One’s position in society can provide financial rewards, stability, and benefits such as healthcare.
Identify the three primary levels contained within the social class hierarchy.
- upper class
- middle class
- lower class
Which socioeconomic level of society includes the “elite,” who are typically members of institutional leadership, executives, heirs/heiresses, and heads of corporations, foundations, or universities?
upper class
In this stratum of society, individuals’ wealth is derived from what they own, whether that is land, investments, companies, or other assets.
An engineer, a retail store regional manager, and a registered nurse would all likely fall into which socioeconomic class?
middle class
This level is somewhat broader and less uniform than the upper class. Those in the upper middle class typically work in professional occupations, usually centered around financial, medical, technological, or engineering knowledge. The lower middle class then includes the array of positions that support the professionals of the upper middle class (e.g. paralegals, nursing assistants, or bank tellers).
What is the term for the socioeconomic group that includes workers below the poverty line or individuals and families relying on social services?
lower class
Individuals in this socioeconomic class often live paycheck to paycheck. In the U.S., the shrinkage of the middle class has led to more individuals falling into the lower class.
Identify an important distinction between socioeconomic status and social class.
- Socioeconomic status is a sociological combined total measure of a person’s work experience and their family’s economic and social position in relation to others. This spectrum is based on income, occupation, and education.
- Social class influences their behavior, ideas, and attitudes. This status has less movement over time and may or may not match one’s occupation or actual income (e.g. inherited wealth).
What is the term for a strong sense of class identity?
class consciousness
According to sociological Marxists, what state of mind prevents individuals (in a given social group, usually a class) from combining their efforts and taking action to improve their societal conditions?
false consciousness
False consciousness is the term that Marxist economists and sociologists use to describe a state of mind that prevents a person from recognizing the injustice of his or her current socioeconomic position in society.
Fill in the blank.
Health disparities by ______ are illustrated in the image below.
sex
The image shows that women suffer from far fewer cancers of all types than men. This is a healthcare disparity by sex. It is known that women live longer and suffer from more non-life-threatening pathologies than men. Men, on the other hand, typically die younger and experience a much higher rate of accidents and life-threatening illnesses.
Fill in the blank.
Health disparities by _____ are illustrated in the image below.
race
This image depicts clear racial differences in the incidence of both cancer types shown. This is a healthcare disparity along racial lines. White individuals tend to have higher rates of skin cancer and renal disease, while African-Americans suffer from diseases such as sickle-cell anemia and have elevated rates of diabetes, stroke, and heart attack.
