Social Stratification Flashcards
Define the term ‘social stratification’.
Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups within society based on factors such as wealth, power, and social status.
What is meant by the term ‘social mobility’?
Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups within the social hierarchy, typically involving upward or downward changes in social status.
Describe the difference between ‘open’ and ‘closed’ stratification systems.
In an open stratification system, social mobility is possible, and individuals have opportunities to move between social positions, whereas in a closed stratification system, social mobility is restricted, and social positions are largely inherited.
Explain the concept of ‘wealth’ in the context of social stratification.
Wealth refers to the total value of assets owned by an individual or household, including property, savings, investments, and other forms of financial capital.
Discuss the role of ‘occupational prestige’ in social stratification.
Occupational prestige refers to the social status and respect accorded to different occupations within society, often influenced by factors such as income, education, and perceived societal value.
What is meant by the term ‘class consciousness’?
Class consciousness refers to the awareness and collective identity shared by members of a social class, recognising common interests, experiences, and inequalities.
Define the term ‘status inconsistency’.
Status inconsistency occurs when individuals hold multiple social statuses that are not congruent with one another, leading to conflicts or tensions in social identity and roles.
Explain the concept of ‘structural inequality’.
Structural inequality refers to patterns of inequality that are built into the structure of society, such as unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power, often reinforced by social institutions and systems.
Describe the difference between ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ social mobility.
Vertical social mobility involves movement up or down the social hierarchy, while horizontal social mobility refers to movement between different social positions within the same social stratum.
Discuss the impact of ‘intergenerational mobility’ on social stratification.
Intergenerational mobility refers to changes in social status between generations, influencing patterns of social inequality and opportunity across different cohorts.
Define the term ‘life chances’ in the context of social stratification.
Life chances refer to the opportunities and prospects available to individuals based on their social position, including access to education, healthcare, employment, and other resources.
Explain the concept of ‘global inequality’.
Global inequality refers to disparities in wealth, income, and access to resources and opportunities between individuals, groups, and nations on a global scale.
What is meant by the term ‘poverty line’?
The poverty line is a threshold used to define the minimum income or standard of living necessary to meet basic needs, often calculated based on factors such as food costs and household size.
Discuss the impact of ‘social reproduction’ on social stratification.
Social reproduction refers to the perpetuation of social inequalities across generations through processes such as inheritance, education, and socialisation, reinforcing existing patterns of privilege and disadvantage.
Define the term ‘meritocracy’ in the context of social stratification.
Meritocracy is the belief that social and economic rewards should be distributed based on individual merit, talent, and effort, rather than inherited privilege or social background.
Explain the concept of ‘absolute poverty’.
Absolute poverty refers to a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, often measured in terms of income below a certain threshold.
Describe the concept of ‘class reproduction’.
Class reproduction refers to the transmission of social class status and inequalities from one generation to the next, through mechanisms such as inheritance, education, and social networks.
Discuss the role of ‘institutional racism’ in social stratification.
Institutional racism refers to patterns of discrimination and inequality embedded within social institutions such as government, education, and healthcare, perpetuating disadvantage and exclusion for racial and ethnic minority groups.
Define the term ‘social exclusion’
Social exclusion refers to the processes by which individuals or groups are marginalised or excluded from full participation in society, often due to factors such as poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to resources and opportunities.
Explain the concept of ‘relative deprivation’ in social stratification.
Relative deprivation refers to the perception or experience of being disadvantaged or deprived in comparison to others, leading to feelings of injustice and resentment, even in societies with high overall standards of living.
