Module 5: Social stratification Lecture Notes Flashcards
Status
A recognized social position that a person occupies. Can be ascribed or achieved.
Ascribed status
Didn’t chose by ourself, given to us
Achieved status
Status that we hold based on the achievements that we have demonstrated
Status set
All the statuses a person holds at a given time
Social differentiation
Division of people into categories based on socially significant characteristics
Social stratification
division of people into categories that are ranked (status hierachies)
Statuses examples
- Gender
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Age
- Class
- Sexual orientation
- Ability
Dominant group +ex
- Has power and can impose on others their norms, values and beliefs
- Ex: Heterosexual, citizens, christian
Donate to political parties
Subordinate groups +ex
- Labelled as different based by those in power
- Ex: Homosexual, bisexual, Muslim, woman, transgender
Status consistency
All positions in different status hierachies align (rare)
Status inconsistency + ex
- One person is highly ranked in one status hierachy but not in others
- Ex: Fairly afflent but black or indigenous
Master Status
- Special importance anddominantes other statuses
- Ex: Being a criminal causes barrier to housing, incomes and now is homeless
Davis and Moore (4)
- 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
Conflict theorist points out that for social inequality…
- There are systematic patterns about who is constantly rewarded in society and who is not rewarded
Social differentiation
Division of people into categories based on socially significant characteristics
Social inequality
Long term significant differences in access to rewards and opportunities, goods and services for individuals within a group or groups within society
Social stratification
division of people into categories that are ranked (Status hierachies)
Dominant culture (2)
perceived as+ is able to…
- 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
Privilege
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
Oppression
Domination of subordinate groups in society by powerful dominant groups Keep subordinate groups in their subordinate position
