Social Class Theories

Question 1

Elite Theory

Answer 1

Upper and middle classes have better employment opportunities due to their education and social networking.

Question 2

Goldthorpe & Lockwood

Answer 2

The working class have an increasingly instrumental attitude to work. Unlike the middle class jobs, they are less likely to gain satisfaction as days of unity are gone.

Question 3

Ritzer

Answer 3

Workers in fast food chains such as McDonald’s are dehumanised as they have scripts rather than using creativity. Workers no longer enjoy work or feel empowered.

Question 4

Garrod

Answer 4

There are increasing numbers of people on zero hours contracts so they have a less stable income.

Question 5

Abrams

Answer 5

Working class are not always paid for time spent at work such as training, breaks and they have to pay for equipment they need for their job.

Question 6

Mac an Ghail

Answer 6

Decline in traditional manual jobs like ship building has lead to a crisis in masculinity as a huge part of male identity is now gone.

Question 7

Castles & Kossack

Answer 7

Reserve army of labour, groups are called into work in times of boom but dismissed afterwards. Damages mental and physical health of families and excludes them due to the uncertainty.