Module 5: Social stratification Lecture Notes

Question 1

Status

Answer 1

A recognized social position that a person occupies. Can be ascribed or achieved.

Question 2

Ascribed status

Answer 2

Didn’t chose by ourself, given to us

Question 3

Achieved status

Answer 3

Status that we hold based on the achievements that we have demonstrated

Question 4

Status set

Answer 4

All the statuses a person holds at a given time

Question 5

Social differentiation

Answer 5

Division of people into categories based on socially significant characteristics

Question 6

Social stratification

Answer 6

division of people into categories that are ranked (status hierachies)

Question 7

Statuses examples

Answer 7

• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Class
• Sexual orientation
• Ability

Question 8

Dominant group +ex

Answer 8

• Has power and can impose on others their norms, values and beliefs
• Ex: Heterosexual, citizens, christian

Donate to political parties

Question 9

Subordinate groups +ex

Answer 9

• Labelled as different based by those in power
• Ex: Homosexual, bisexual, Muslim, woman, transgender

Question 10

Status consistency

Answer 10

All positions in different status hierachies align (rare)

Question 11

Status inconsistency + ex

Answer 11

• One person is highly ranked in one status hierachy but not in others
• Ex: Fairly afflent but black or indigenous

Question 12

Master Status

Answer 12

• Special importance anddominantes other statuses
• Ex: Being a criminal causes barrier to housing, incomes and now is homeless

Question 13

Davis and Moore (4)

Answer 13

• inequality is benefical for the operation of society
• Positions vary by importance and difficulty
• Functionally important positions come with largest rewards
• Egalitarian societies offer little incentive for people to try their best

Question 14

Conflict theorist points out that for social inequality…

Answer 14

• There are systematic patterns about who is constantly rewarded in society and who is not rewarded

Question 15

Social differentiation

Answer 15

Division of people into categories based on socially significant characteristics

Question 16

Social inequality

Answer 16

Long term significant differences in access to rewards and opportunities, goods and services for individuals within a group or groups within society

Question 17

Social stratification

Answer 17

division of people into categories that are ranked (Status hierachies)

Question 18

Dominant culture (2)

perceived as+ is able to…

Answer 18

• perceived as “the” culture of a country
• is able to impose its values, language and ways of behaving and interpreting behaviour on a given society through its economic and political power

Question 19

Privilege

Answer 19

Advantages or set of advanatges that some groups have and others do not and that cannot be entirely reduced to effort

Ex: credentials being recongized immediately

Question 20

Oppression

Answer 20

Domination of subordinate groups in society by powerful dominant groups Keep subordinate groups in their subordinate position