Questions and Answers
Social stratification is _________ process ranked on a scale of social worth and awarded access to valued resources and experiences.
a systematic
A situation in which valued resources and desired outcomes are distributed in such a way that people have unequal amounts and/or access to them is known as:
Sociologists use the term social prestige to mean:
In a caste system of social stratification:
Signup and view all the answers
Class systems of stratification are characterized as:
Signup and view all the answers
Mary worked as a secretary for 25 years. Her daughter Jane works as a biological engineer. The difference in status speaks to:
Signup and view all the answers
According to the functionalist perspective, the unequal distribution of rewards is necessary in order to:
Signup and view all the answers
In analyzing social inequality, functionalists ask:
Signup and view all the answers
Poor people purchase goods and services that would otherwise go unused, such as day-old bread, used cars, and second-hand clothes. Such purchases speak to:
Signup and view all the answers
Conflict theorists argue that the functionalist theory of social stratification falls short because:
Signup and view all the answers
Comparable worth means:
Signup and view all the answers
___________ seek to understand the experiences of inequality-- how it is communicated and how that inequality is conveyed.
Signup and view all the answers
The negatively privileged property classes include all but which of the following?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Max Weber, persons completely unskilled, lacking property, and dependent on seasonal or sporadic employment constitute the:
Signup and view all the answers
The richest 8.3 million people in the world represent the:
Signup and view all the answers
In 'The Truly Disadvantaged', Julius Wilson emphasized the role of _________ in creating a population known as the inner city poor.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is an example of economic restructuring that led to the creation of inner city poor?
Signup and view all the answers
The shared lifestyle of a ___________ may revolve around leisure activities, diet, friendships, and even amount of time dedicated to sleep.
Signup and view all the answers
The CEO of Starbucks earns the equivalent of $13,458 per hour. That wage is 1,583 times higher than that of a barista who earns between $7.50 and $9.50 per hour. ___________ explain the unequal wages as justified by the need to attract the most skilled and talented to the job of CEO.
Signup and view all the answers
In a study that involved showing respondents 3 hypothetical distributions of wealth, most people believed the top 20 percent should have __________ percent of all wealth.
Signup and view all the answers
In the U.S., sandwich makers earn $18,100 or $8.72 per hour, which puts them in the ________ of all incomes.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following words apply to a caste system of stratification?
Signup and view all the answers
Sociologists place great emphasis on external forces that shape chances of social mobility. Which one of the following qualifies as such?
Signup and view all the answers
In the U.S., 34% of children age 6 and under live in households with a monthly income of $72,000. From the child's point of view, the situation is a matter of:
Signup and view all the answers
A low income child is struggling in math. He lives in a culture that attributes his failure to lack of intelligence. This backdrop is a matter of:
Signup and view all the answers
In the U.S. during the Jim Crow era (1880-1967), people legally classified as black chose to pass as white to increase chances of upward mobility. The choice to pass was dependent on the person possessing physical characteristics associated with white. In this sense, the choice depended on:
Signup and view all the answers
Jerome has a car and that makes it easier for him to participate in after-school activities. Jerome possesses __________ cultural capital.
Signup and view all the answers
Helping a nonsmoker qualifies as _________ cultural capital because smoking is prohibited in most public spaces, and some workplaces give preference to nonsmokers when hiring.
Signup and view all the answers
Hiring, firing, layoffs, workforce reduction, plant closings, and corporate restructuring captures the:
Signup and view all the answers
What sets __________ apart from the economic systems that preceded it, is the 'constant revolutionizing of production, the uninterrupted disturbance of all social condition, and everlasting uncertainty and agitation.'
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Social Stratification
- Social stratification is a systematic process, ranking individuals based on social worth and access to resources.
- Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of valued resources and opportunities among individuals and groups.
Social Prestige
- Social prestige is the level of respect or admiration associated with a status, detached from the individual who holds it.
- In a caste system, there exists a systematic relationship between ascribed characteristics (like race or family background) and life chances, making mobility limited.
Class Systems
- Class systems are characterized by their fluidity, allowing for some degree of social mobility compared to rigid caste systems.
- Intergenerational mobility occurs when children attain a different (often higher) social status than their parents.
Functionalist Perspective
- According to functionalist theory, unequal rewards are necessary to attract the best-qualified individuals to functionally important jobs.
- Functionalists investigate who benefits from social stratification while questioning who suffers from it.
Conflict Theory
- Conflict theorists challenge functionalist views by arguing that determining an occupation's functional importance can be subjective and difficult.
- Economic restructuring, including the shift of manufacturing jobs from the U.S., contributes to the development of inner-city poverty, as highlighted by Julius Wilson.
Comparable Worth
- Comparable worth is the principle that occupations of equivalent value should receive equivalent compensation, irrespective of gender.
- Symbolic interactionists study how experiences of inequality are communicated and perceived within society.
Social Classes
- The negatively privileged property class includes individuals who are unskilled, lack property, and have unstable employment sources.
- The positively privileged property class consists of the wealthiest individuals in society, identified by the richest segment globally.
Economic Conditions
- The average wage for sandwich makers positions them in the bottom 20% of all incomes in the U.S.
- Most Americans believe that the top 20% should ideally possess 36% of the total wealth, indicating perceptions of social equity.
Social Mobility and Chance
- External factors, such as inherited wealth, significantly influence social mobility, beyond individual attributes like work ethic or capability.
- Circumstances of wealth distribution can lead to a perception that children's situations are a matter of chance rather than individual effort or choice.
Cultural Capital
- Types of cultural capital include objectified cultural capital (possessions that facilitate participation in culture) and institutionalized cultural capital (skills or credentials valued by society).
- The dynamics of capitalism involve continuous change, uncertainty, and the restructuring of social conditions through corporate maneuvers like layoffs and business closures.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge with SCC Sociology 101 Quiz 6 flashcards. This quiz covers key concepts in social stratification and resource distribution. Prepare to deepen your understanding of how societal structures impact access to resources.
