Sociology: Social Stratification

Question 1

Aspects of Social Stratification: Marxist Theory, Class Consciousness, False Consciousness

Answer 1

Proletariat can overthrow bourgeoisie by developing class consciousness, barrier by false consciousness.

Class: organization of working class around shared goals, recognition of need for collective political action.

False: misperception of one’s actual position w/in society.

Question 2

Aspects of Social Stratification: Social Capital

Answer 2

Investments people make in their society in return for economic/collective rewards.

2 types of social inequality:

1. Situational, e.g. privilege (inequality in opportunity).
2. Positional, e.g. cultural capital (benefits one receives from knowledge, abilities, skills).

Question 3

Aspects of Social Stratification: Intersections w/ Race, Gender, Age

Answer 3

Intersectionality: compounding of disadvantage seen in individuals who belong to more than one oppressed group.

Question 4

Patterns of Social Mobility: Inter-/intragenerational

Answer 4

Inter-: change in social status from parent to children.

Intra-: change in social status w/in a person’s lifetime.

Question 5

Patterns of Social Mobility: Meritocracy

Answer 5

Based on intellectual talent and achievement; means to move up social ladder.

Question 6

Patterns of Social Mobility: Vertical vs. Horizontal

Answer 6

Vertical: education, athletics, music are opportunities for disadvantaged folx to move upward (higher status).

Horizontal: change in occupation/lifestyle that remains w/in same social class (no change).

Question 7

Epidemiology: Incidence, Prevalence, Morbidity, and Mortality

Answer 7

Incidence: # new cases of an illness per population at risk in a given amount of time.

Prevalence: # cases of an illness overall (total) per population in a given amount of time.

Morbidity: burden or degree of illness associated w/ a given disease.

Mortality: deaths caused by a given disease.