Questions and Answers
What factor makes caste systems closed?
People cannot change their social standings.
What factor makes class systems open?
They allow for movement between the classes.
Which of these systems allows for the most social mobility?
Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?
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Which statement illustrates low status consistency?
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Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:
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In the United States, most people define themselves as:
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Structural mobility occurs when:
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What are class traits?
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Which scenario is an example of intergenerational mobility?
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Occupational prestige means that jobs are:
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Social stratification is a system that:
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Which graphic concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?
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The GNI PPP figure represents:
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The basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:
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Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because of social stratification, some qualified people were _________ higher-level job positions.
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Which statement represents stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?
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When Karl Marx said workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:
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Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:
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What is social stratification?
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What are closed stratification systems?
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What is slavery?
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What is chattel slavery?
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Define caste system.
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What is the Indian caste system?
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Who are Brahmins?
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Who are Kshatriyas?
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Who are Vaishyas?
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Who are Shudras?
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Who are dalits?
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What are open stratification systems?
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What is wealth?
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Define open system prestige.
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What is status inconsistency?
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What is socioeconomic status (SES)?
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What are life chances?
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Study Notes
Caste and Class Systems
- Caste systems are closed, meaning individuals cannot change their social standing.
- Class systems are open, allowing for movement between social classes and opportunities for upward mobility.
Social Mobility
- Class systems allow the most social mobility, as individuals can improve their social standing through achievements.
- First-generation college students often exemplify significant upward social mobility.
- Low status consistency is illustrated by individuals such as college dropouts who succeed in entrepreneurial ventures.
Meritocracy and Income
- Meritocracy emphasizes that individuals, such as physician's assistants, can earn pay raises based on performance.
- The majority of Americans self-identify as middle class.
Structural Mobility and Class Traits
- Structural mobility occurs when large groups move up or down the class ladder due to societal changes.
- Class traits encompass behaviors, customs, and norms associated with particular social classes.
Intergenerational Mobility and Occupational Prestige
- Intergenerational mobility occurs when individuals such as executives belong to a different class than their parents.
- Occupational prestige indicates that jobs are not valued equally in society.
Social Stratification
- Social stratification ranks individuals based on categories like property, power, and status.
- It can manifest in closed systems (e.g., slavery, castes) or open systems (paired with achieved statuses).
Types of Stratification
- Closed stratification systems limit mobility due to ascribed status (attributes acquired at birth).
- Open stratification systems are characterized by social classes based on achieved status and are more fluid.
Wealth and Inequality
- Wealth includes property and income, with income inequality increasing in the U.S.
- Wealth is cumulative and often passed down through generations.
Prestige and Power
- Prestige is the recognition and respect received based on factors like wealth, occupation, and family background.
- Prestigious occupations require formal education and are often more socially valued.
- Power is the ability to influence and control events, rooted in tradition, charisma, and social class.
Social Elite and Status Inconsistency
- The power elite, a term coined by C. Wright Mills, refers to a small group of influential white men making significant decisions in society.
- Status inconsistency occurs when individuals possess high prestige but low power.
Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Life Chances
- Socioeconomic status ranks individuals based on income, education, and occupation.
- Life chances refer to the opportunities individuals have to experience positive outcomes and secure desirable assets in life.
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