Social Stratification Flashcards
Social class
Defined as a category of people who share a similar socioeconomic position in society
Socioeconomic status (SES)
May depend on ascribed or achieved status
Ascribed status
Derives from clearly identifiable characteristics, such as age, gender and skin color
Achieved status
Acquired through direct, individual efforts
3 major social classes
upper, middle, and lower
Prestige
Refers to the amount of positive regard society has for a given person or idea
Power
The ability to affect others’ behaviour through real or perceived rewards and punishments, and is based on the unequal distribution of valued resoures
Marxist theory
Proposes that the have-nots, called the proletariat, could overthrow the haves, called the bourgeoisie, as well as the entire capitalist economy by developing class consciousness
Class consciousness
Refers to the organization of the working class around shared goals and recognition of a need for collective political action
What is one major barrier to class consciousness
False consciousness, a misperception of one’s actual position within society
Anomie
A lack of social norms, or the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and society. Anomic conditions erode social solidarity by means of excessive individualism, social inequality, and isolation (strain theory)
Strain theory
Focuses on how anomic conditions can lead to deviance
Social Capital
Can be considered the investments people make in their society in return for economic or collective rewards; the greater the investment, the higher the level of social integration (peaceful movement into mainstream society) and inclusion
What is one of the main forms of social capital
Social Networks
What are two types of social inequality created by social networks
Situational (socioeconomic advantage) and positional (based on how connected one is within a network and one’s centrality within that network).
Cultural capital
Refers to the benefits one receives from knowledge, abilities, and skills
Strong ties
Refers to peer group and kinship contacts, which are quantitatively small but qualitatively powerful
Weak ties
Refer to social connections that are personally superficial, but that are large in number and provide connections to a wide range of other individuals
Intersectionality
Compounding of disadvantage seen in individuals who belong to more than one oppressed group