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Questions and Answers
What is the definition of Stratification?
What is The Registrar General's Scale?
A descriptive approach to measuring social class based on occupational skill.
What does NS SEC stand for?
National Statistics Socio-economic Classification.
What are Objective Definitions of Class?
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What are Subjective Definitions of Class?
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What key feature of the upper class do Mackintosh and Mooney highlight?
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What does Social Closure refer to?
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What is Economic Capital?
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What is the focus of Goodwin's research?
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What does the term Deferred Gratification mean?
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What distinguishes the New Working Class from the Traditional Working Class?
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What does the term Consumer Culture describe?
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Who criticized Murray's perspective on the underclass?
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What is the essence of Bowles and Gintis' argument regarding education?
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Which characteristic is associated with immediate gratification?
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How is the Traditional Working Class characterized?
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Match the following researchers with their contributions:
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Study Notes
Social Class Stratification
- Stratification refers to the hierarchical division of society into layers, with class being a primary determinant of privilege and access.
- The Registrar General's Scale was used from 1911 to the 1990s to measure social class based on occupational skills.
- The National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) was introduced in 1997 to evaluate class via occupations aligned to qualifications, skills, and experiences.
Definitions of Class
- Objective definitions use measurable classifications (e.g., NS-SEC), while subjective definitions focus on individual self-identification and personal definitions of class.
Invisibility of the Upper Class
- Mackintosh and Mooney emphasize the upper class's "invisibility" due to social closure, where their lifestyles are distanced from the majority.
- The concept of social closure entails upper-class individuals maintaining exclusive social networks and marrying within their socioeconomic group.
Networks and Social Capital
- The Old Boy Network enables upper-class men to leverage shared educational backgrounds for business advantages and promotions.
- Social capital is gained through networking, facilitating access to opportunities such as job placements and educational settings.
Culture and Education
- High culture represents elite societal activities requiring socioeconomic connections; access is often limited to those with significant social capital, exemplified by elite activities like polo or opera.
- King and Raynor highlight that middle-class families foster educational ambitions, utilizing role models and sanctions to reinforce success.
Cultural and Economic Influences
- Bourdieu's notion of "cultural capital" holds that school environments favor middle-class students, preparing them for educational advantages reflective of their family environments.
- Economic capital refers to the financial resources enabling participation in cultural activities and educational enhancements like tutors and extracurricular programs.
Social Identity in Class Context
- Goodwin notes the emergence of 'Yummy Mummies', reshaping maternal identities based on peer validation and lifestyle.
- Savage contrasts middle-class environments with those of the working class, indicating differences in consumer behavior and identity formation linked to occupations.
Working Class Dynamics
- The traditional working class was characterized by strong community ties, manual labor, and political identification with the Labour Party, emphasizing collective support through unions.
- The new working class is rising alongside shifts in job types; they often view education and consumer culture as pathways to individual success rather than collective advancement.
Class and Technology
- Mertens and D'Haenens studied internet use related to social class, finding lower access among lower social classes, who utilize technology primarily for entertainment compared to the middle class's knowledge pursuits.
The Underclass Debate
- Murray categorizes the underclass as lazy and dependent on welfare, while Jordan counters that they share similar aspirations as others but may lack opportunities to provide for families.
Culture and Identity
- Popular culture, contrasting high culture, is widely accessible through media and consumerism, with influences like conspicuous consumption shaping class identities.
- Skeggs suggests that emerging working-class identities are rooted in consumer culture and popular media, reflecting individualistic values instead of collective solidarity.
Class Positions and Grievances
- Giddens identifies a traditional upper class with social closure, alongside new groups such as the super-rich and entrepreneurial elite, redefining upper-class identity.
Gratification and Mobility
- Immediate gratification is often linked to the traditional working class, which contrasts with deferred gratification associated with the middle class, reflecting differing attitudes towards work and future planning.
- Social class identity encompasses diverse experiences shaped by occupation, values, and community connections, illustrating how roles influence self-identity.
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Description
Explore key terms and definitions related to social class identity with these flashcards. Perfect for understanding the concept of stratification and historical measurements of social class like The Registrar General's Scale. Enhance your knowledge of societal structures and their implications.
