Social Class in America Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the classes in American society?

Lower Class/Underclass (correct)

Working Class/Working Poor (correct)

Upper Class (correct)

Upper Middle Class (correct)

Lower Middle Class (correct)

Which class emphasizes deferred gratification the most?

Lower Middle Class

What is the percentage of the Upper Class in America?

24-13%

15%

1-2% (correct)

30-35%

What is intra generational mobility?

Your social class location is different later in your adult life than earlier in your adult life. Signup and view all the answers

What is inter generational mobility?

Your social class location is different than your parents. Signup and view all the answers

What is status inconsistency?

A special case most often related to a sudden change in social class location. Signup and view all the answers

What is inequality?

How the resource pie is sliced and who gets what size piece. Signup and view all the answers

What is poverty?

Defining the bottom of the distribution. Signup and view all the answers

What is intersectionality?

A combination of factors that influence the likelihood you will be located in a particular social class. Signup and view all the answers

What is status?

The location of one's self in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is ascribed status?

It is the status that you are born into. Signup and view all the answers

What is achieved status?

The status that you earned through gaining a diploma, performance, and hard work. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main factors that make up social class?

Economics Signup and view all the answers

What are the main characteristics of the upper crust?

They are the most exclusive, normally empty nesting couples over 55, with the largest amount of postgraduate degrees and most extravagant standard of living. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main characteristics of the Upper Middle Class?

Suburban, married couples with kids, living in cul-de-sacs, and working in white-collar jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the 'Blue Highways'?

Lower middle class, isolated towns and farms, and involvement in activities such as hunting, fishing, and sewing crafts. Signup and view all the answers

Out of all of the market economy nations, who has the largest middle class?

India Signup and view all the answers

What is a status symbol?

A representation of a person's position in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is stratification?

The process by which positions in a society are arranged in layers, ordered from the wealthiest to the poorest. Signup and view all the answers

What is slavery?

When one person owns another and uses the labor for domestic, farm, or factory work. Signup and view all the answers

What forms of slavery still exist today?

Sex Slavery Signup and view all the answers

What is debt bondage?

This is a repayment of a loan through labor. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different names of stratification?

Apartheid (South Africa) Signup and view all the answers

In European feudalism, who were in the three classes?

Low (Peasants) Signup and view all the answers

What classified you as a part of the untouchable caste in India?

If you were involved in any job that had to do with ending a life, human excrement, or disposal of bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What are the top-rated occupations?

Architect Signup and view all the answers

Who are the bottom-rated professions?

Farmer Signup and view all the answers

What are the two divisions of the Upper Class?

Nouveau Riche Signup and view all the answers

What is conspicuous consumption?

Buying expensive services and products in order to flaunt your wealth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Five main classes: Upper Class, Upper Middle Class, Lower Middle Class, Working Class/Working Poor, Lower Class/Underclass.
Class distribution: Upper Class (1-2%), Upper Middle Class (15%), Lower Middle Class (30-35%), Working Class/Working Poor (30-35%), Lower Class/Underclass (24-13%).
Lower Middle Class prioritizes deferred gratification.

Intra-generational mobility refers to changes in social class within an individual's lifetime.
Inter-generational mobility occurs when an individual's social class differs from that of their parents.
Status inconsistency arises from sudden changes in social class, like winning the lottery.

Concepts of Inequality and Poverty

Inequality reflects disparities in resources and wealth distribution within society.
Poverty, defined politically, is influenced by factors like access to food and assistance programs.
Intersectionality considers how various social factors combine to affect class status.

Status Definitions

Status indicates an individual's position within society, categorized into ascribed (born into) and achieved (gained through effort) status.
Social class is primarily determined by lifestyle factors, focusing on income, wealth, education, and occupation.

Characteristics by Class

Upper Class: Exclusive, typically empty nesters over 55, high levels of education, and lavish lifestyles.
Upper Middle Class: Suburban families, typically dual-income households living in well-off neighborhoods.
Lower Middle Class: Includes isolated communities focused on traditional activities like hunting and crafts.

Global and Historical Context

Among market economies, India has the largest middle class.
Stratification represents societal layers based on wealth, with terms like Estate (Europe), Caste (India), and Apartheid (South Africa) referring to different systems.
European feudalism consisted of three classes: Upper (Royalty), Middle (Clergy, Military, Tradesmen/Craftsmen), and Low (Peasants).

Untouchables in India are classified by occupations related to disposing of bodies or handling human waste.
Top-rated occupations include doctor, lawyer, and architect, while lower-rated professions are farmer, correctional officer, and bus driver.

Class Divisions in Upper Class

Upper Class includes Blue Bloods (established wealth) and Nouveau Riche (newly wealthy).
Conspicuous consumption describes buying luxury items to display wealth, prevalent in the Middle Class.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the various social classes in American society, highlighting key characteristics and statistics. It includes definitions and details about the Upper Class, Upper Middle Class, Lower Middle Class, Working Class, and Lower Class. Prepare to test your knowledge on class structures and their implications in America.