Social Class Structure in the U.S.

Questions and Answers

Social classes in the United States are usually divided into three classes—upper class, middle class, and lower class.

True

Members of the upper middle class hold white-collar jobs.

False

What is the social class that relies on public assistance?

underclass

The reputational method is always the best method for determining social class.

False Signup and view all the answers

Families that experience unemployment and poverty over several generations are considered?

underclass Signup and view all the answers

Intergenerational mobility is the status difference between generations in different families.

False Signup and view all the answers

Individuals that are primarily high-income business people and professionals are?

upper middle class Signup and view all the answers

Underclass families have experienced unemployment and poverty over several generations.

True Signup and view all the answers

An open class system is based on social mobility that includes:

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the social class known to have small communities and is based on knowledge of lifestyle?

reputational Signup and view all the answers

What does the likelihood individuals have of sharing in the opportunities and benefits of society refer to?

life chances Signup and view all the answers

A groundskeeper who moves from a school to a church and remains a groundskeeper is experiencing _____

horizontal mobility Signup and view all the answers

The United States has an open class system based on social mobility that includes:

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Differences between social classes in the United States are based on?

income, lifestyles, and beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social classes are generally categorized into three main groups: upper class, middle class, and lower class.
The underclass refers to those who depend on public assistance, often experiencing prolonged unemployment and poverty.

Class Characteristics and Employment

Members of the upper middle class are primarily high-income professionals and business people.
Lower middle class individuals typically hold white-collar jobs.

Class Mobility and Methods of Measurement

The reputational method, which evaluates social class based on community perceptions, is not always the most effective for determining social class.
Intergenerational mobility refers to differences in social status between generations within the same family, not across different families.

Key Terms

Life Chances: This refers to the likelihood of individuals accessing societal opportunities and benefits.
Horizontal Mobility: This term describes movement within the same social class, such as a groundskeeper moving between jobs at different institutions but staying in the same role.
Open Class System: The U.S. operates within an open class system that allows for various forms of social mobility, including horizontal, vertical, and intergenerational mobility.

Class Differences

Variations between social classes are influenced by factors like income, lifestyles, and beliefs, shaping each class's distinct identity and experience in society.

Description

Explore the nuances of social class in the United States, including the characteristics of various classes, employment sectors, and the concept of class mobility. This quiz delves into the terminology and methods used to measure social class differences across generations.