Social Inequality

Question 1

Horizontal movement in social mobility

Answer 1

Refers to moving within the same level of hierarchy (same social class)
Example: Engineer switches companies but remains an engineer

Question 2

Vertical movement in social mobility

Answer 2

Refers to moving up or down the social hierarchy
Example: Plastic surgeon quits to become a YouTuber

Question 3

Social standing is ascribed by background/birth and therefore social mobility is limited
High stability

Answer 3

Caste system

Question 4

Social standing commonly relies on a combination of background and education, allows for social mobility
Low stability

Answer 4

class system

Question 5

Social position based solely on ability and achievements. Highly idealized
Birth and background is of zero importance

Answer 5

Meritocracy

Question 6

Intragenerational vs intergenerational mobility

Answer 6

Intragenerational mobility = change in social class within one’s lifetime

Intergenerational mobility = change in social class between generations

Question 7

Individuals can experience multiple types of discrimination at the same time (intersecting)

Answer 7

Theory of intersectionality

Question 8

Awareness of one’s place in a hierarchy of social classes, especially as it relates to the class struggle
Coined by Marx

Answer 8

Class consciousness

Question 9

Lower classes are unable to see their own oppression, for example due to misleading messages from the upper class

Answer 9

False consciousness

Question 10

Marginalization of individuals resulting in an inability to participate:
Economically (as income earner or consumer)
Socially (interaction with others in society)
Civically (community and political involvement)

Answer 10

Social exclusion

Question 11

Social class remains unchanged from one generation to the next
Example: Children born into a lower social class tend to occupy a lower social class as adults

Answer 11

social reproduction

Question 12

Positive correlation between socioeconomic status and health outcomes
Lower socioeconomic status associated with worse health outcomes

Answer 12

Socioeconomic gradient in health

Question 13

Income is insufficient to afford basic necessities of life
Criteria does not change by economic growth

Answer 13

Absolute poverty

Question 14

Household income is 50% less than the average median income
Criteria changes with economic growth

Answer 14

Relative poverty

Question 15

an individual’s assets that give an advantage in society

Answer 15

capital

Question 16

Individual’s tangible financial assets
Example: money, income, property

Answer 16

Economic capital

Question 17

Individual’s social networks, including those who can help that individual advance in society
Example: Knowing the president of a prestiguous university can help you get into said university

Answer 17

Social capital

Question 18

Non-monetary and nonsocial assets that contribute to an advantage in society
Example: Having naturally good looks

Answer 18

Cultural capital

Question 19

Unfair distribution of wealth and resources across a geographic area. Includes residential segregation (separation of groups by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status) and environmental injustice (increased crime and pollution in lower income neighborhoods)

Answer 19

Spatial inequality

Question 20

Environmental justice

Answer 20

Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens within society, such as parks, recreation, avoidance of health hazards

Question 21

Areas of poverty are often located near areas of environmental waste: heavy industry, manufacturing, etc.

Answer 21

Environmental burden

Question 22

Segregation of people (often by race or income) into separate neighborhoods

Answer 22

Residential segregation

Question 23

Measures level of segregation
0 is even distribution, 100 is complete segregation

Answer 23

Index of dissimilarity

Question 24

Three impacts of residential segregation

Answer 24

1. Political isolation - segregated communities are weaker politically
2. Linguistic isolation - development of a separate language
3. Spatial mismatch - opportunities may be farther away or harder to access

Question 25

Hierarchical organization of individuals in society based on their social class and status

Answer 25

Social stratification

Social class: Economic assets (income, property)

Prestige and status among others in society

Power: Ability to exert control over the actions of others