Khan 301-310 Cultural Transmission and Social Inequality

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Questions and Answers

What defines the caste system in terms of social mobility?

It allows for social mobility through personal achievements.

It has very little social mobility determined by background and marriage. (correct)

It allows for high social mobility based on education.

It promotes equal opportunity regardless of background.

Which system is idealized for its focus on individual ability rather than background?

Class system

Caste system

Meritocracy (correct)

Feudal system

What is intra-generational mobility?

Change in social class from one generation to the next.

Change in social class during a person's own lifetime. (correct)

Movement between different employment types without changing class.

The constant position of social class throughout a person's life.

What is the main difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Relative poverty assesses poverty against societal standards. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a meritocracy considered highly idealized?

It assumes individuals from any background can succeed solely on merit. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the level of absolute poverty as a country becomes richer?

Less people live in absolute poverty. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the class system is accurate?

It allows for some degree of social mobility based on education and background. Signup and view all the answers

Intergenerational mobility is best described as:

The ability of children to achieve a different social class than their parents. Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural transmission primarily involve?

Passing culture through childrearing practices Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding social inequality?

Ethnic and racial minorities face greater degrees of inequality Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT associated with improved social status?

Increased social exclusion Signup and view all the answers

What type of mobility can be described by moving within the same class?

Horizontal mobility Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the barriers faced by women in achieving higher positions in companies?

Glass ceiling effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following outcomes is closely related to social and economic factors?

Health disparity Signup and view all the answers

What does upward mobility entail?

Movement to a higher income class Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant result of social inequality?

Socially excluded populations living in segregated neighborhoods Signup and view all the answers

What primarily facilitates cultural transmission in a society?

Childrearing practices Signup and view all the answers

Which group in society is most likely to experience lower income and education levels?

Ethnic/racial minorities Signup and view all the answers

What effect does social inequality have on mobility within a society?

It creates barriers to social integration Signup and view all the answers

What describes the phenomenon where women face challenges in reaching top management positions?

Glass ceiling effect Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome for individuals living in socially excluded conditions?

Reduced access to healthcare Signup and view all the answers

Which type of social mobility involves moving to a different job within the same class?

Horizontal mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is a common factor contributing to health disparities?

Social and economic factors Signup and view all the answers

What type of mobility occurs when an individual is demoted within their job?

Downward mobility Signup and view all the answers

How does social inequality often manifest in society?

Disproportionate access to resources Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention can be effective in addressing social inequalities?

Government schemes to provide support Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the caste system?

Roles are determined by background and marriage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a meritocracy?

Success is based on individual ability and achievements Signup and view all the answers

What type of mobility involves changes in social class across generations?

Intergenerational mobility Signup and view all the answers

How is absolute poverty defined?

A condition where basic survival needs are not met Signup and view all the answers

What is relative poverty primarily based on?

Comparison to others in the same society Signup and view all the answers

Which system is less stable than the caste system?

Class system Signup and view all the answers

What does intra-generational mobility refer to?

Social change within a person's lifetime Signup and view all the answers

Which concept would require equal opportunities for all individuals to function effectively?

Meritocracy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about social rewards in a meritocracy is correct?

Awards are given based on individual achievements and skills. Signup and view all the answers

How does the level of poverty change in a country as it develops economically?

The number of individuals living in absolute poverty decreases. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cultural Transmission

Cultural transmission describes how culture is learned across generations through practices like child-rearing and exposure to cultural elements.

Resources are distributed unevenly in society. For example, the top 20% of Americans hold 72% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 20% control only 3%.
Social class (upper, middle, lower) is often determined by income.
Higher social classes tend to have better access to education, healthcare, and housing.
Certain population groups (ethnic/racial minorities) experience higher degrees of inequality, with lower incomes, less education, and reduced access to healthcare.
Gender also plays a role, with women often facing a gender pay gap and fewer opportunities for advancement in companies (glass ceiling).
Social exclusion and segregation in neighborhoods can lead to feelings of disempowerment and potentially criminal activities.
Government schemes (e.g., food stamps) and social interventions are ways to improve access to education and healthcare, and promote societal integration.
Health disparity is the difference in health outcomes often closely linked to social and economic factors, rather than biological ones.

Upward and Downward Mobility

Social classes are a way to categorize society, including:
- Lower class: manual labor, low-paying jobs
- Middle class: professionals, better-paying jobs
- Upper class: extremely wealthy business people and families
Social mobility is the movement of individuals or groups within the social hierarchy. This can be horizontal (within the same class) or vertical (up or down the social hierarchy). Examples include an accountant moving to a different accounting firm (horizontal) or a restaurant manager becoming CEO of a fast-food chain (vertical).

Intra-generational mobility is when social class changes during a person's own lifetime.
Inter-generational mobility is change in social class between generations. For example, a working-class parent and a working-class child.

Absolute and Relative Poverty :

Absolute poverty is a minimum level of resources needed for survival ($1-2/day in developing countries).
Relative poverty is the condition of having less income than others in the society, often measured as a percentage below the median income ($80/day in the U.S.).

Social inequality tends to replicate across generations.
Wealthy families generally tend to stay wealthy, and poor families stay poor.
Social institutions like education, and the economy also contribute to social reproduction.
Social capital (useful networks of relationships) is a resource that can be used to access greater economic and social opportunities.

Social networks represent relationships among people.
They can be a valuable resource, providing social support and access to tangible resources.
Social capital can positively affect individual well-being.

Social stratification refers to the categorization of population groups into socioeconomic strata based on factors like occupation, income, wealth, and social/political power.
Social stratification exists in all societies, though the form it takes can vary.
Common forms of stratification are upper, middle and lower classes; in turn each class can be subdivided into strata (upper stratum, middle stratum, lower stratum)
The four principles underlying stratification are that it is defined as a property of society rather than individuals, is reproduced across generations, is universal but variable, and involves qualitative judgments about social status.

Social exclusion is when individuals are prevented from participating in mainstream society.
These individuals have reduced access to resources, and opportunities, and may experience discrimination.
Social factors (like race, gender, education, and income), can contribute to social exclusion.

Residential Segregation

Residential segregation is where groups of people separate into different neighbourhoods based on factors such as race or income.

Global Inequality

Significant disparities in wealth and resources exist globally.
Factors like life expectancy, access to essential resources (like clean water), and income distribution reflect these disparities. For example, life expectancy in Congo is 51 compared to 84 in France/Japan.
The top 20% of individuals have 82.7% of global income while the bottom 20% have 1.4% of global income.

Political Isolation

Segregated communities may experience political isolation and have diminished political influence, because their political interests don't overlap with other communities

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Environmental hazards are disproportionately experienced by communities of color, low-income neighborhoods and marginalized communities. These communities often have fewer environmental benefits and more burdens (e.g. waste facilities).

Health Disparities

Health disparities exist that are linked to social, economic, and environmental factors.
These factors impact healthcare access and overall health outcomes disproportionately among specific groups.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality recognizes that various forms of oppression (e.g. sexism, racism) tend to intersect and result in unique experiences for certain individuals and groups.

Research Methods (Study Types)

Cross-sectional: Examines a population at a single point in time.
Cohort: Follows a group of people over a period of time.
Longitudinal: Data collected repeatedly from the same subjects over time.
Case-control: Compares two groups with different outcomes to identify factors related to the outcome.
Clinical Trial: Examines the effectiveness of treatments or interventions.
Observational Study: Researcher does not control any variables.
Quasi-Experimental: Researcher only partially controls variables.
Factorial design: Allows the researcher to study the effects of multiple independent variables and their interactions.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of cultural transmission and social inequality. Participants will learn how culture is passed between generations and the effects of social class on access to resources like education and healthcare. Additionally, the quiz examines the impacts of gender and race on social inequality.