23 Questions
What is an example of vertical movement in social mobility?
Getting a promotion and then becoming the CEO of a fast food restaurant
What is a characteristic of a caste system?
It determines an individual's role in life based on their background
What is an advantage of a caste system?
It provides a high degree of social stability
What is a key difference between a class system and a caste system?
A class system has more social mobility than a caste system
What is a characteristic of a meritocracy?
It recognizes an individual's ability and achievements
What is a potential drawback of a meritocracy?
It may lead to less social stability
What is an example of downward social mobility?
Moving from a middle class job to a lower working class job
What is a difference between horizontal and vertical social mobility?
Vertical mobility involves moving up or down the social ladder, while horizontal mobility involves moving across
Which system is often associated with the United States?
Meritocracy
What is true about social mobility in a meritocracy?
It results in extreme social mobility
What is the main characteristic of the Lower Class?
Consisting of people who do manual labor and have low-pay jobs
Which social class is associated with people who have a lot of family wealth and occupy prominent positions?
Upper Class
What is the relationship between an individual's class position and their income?
Their class position often correlates with the amount of income they receive
Is it possible for an individual to move between different social positions?
Yes, an individual can move around these different social positions
What is an example of horizontal movement?
Switching job to a different company within the same class
What is vertical movement?
A move up or down the social hierarchy
Which social class is associated with professionals and better paying jobs?
Middle Class
What is the main difference between horizontal and vertical movement?
Horizontal movement is within the same class, while vertical movement is up or down the social hierarchy
What determines an individual's social position in a caste system?
Their role in life is really determined by their background
Which social system allows for the greatest degree of upward and downward social mobility?
Meritocracy
What is a common means of achieving social mobility in a class system?
Education
What is a potential drawback of a meritocratic system?
Less social stability
What is a key difference between a caste system and a class system?
One is based on background, while the other is based on ability
Study Notes
Social Classes and Social Mobility
- Society can be broken down into different social layers, including the Lower Class, Middle Class, and Upper Class.
- The Lower Class consists of people who do manual work, often with low-pay jobs.
- The Middle Class consists of people with better paying jobs, often involving professionals.
- The Upper Class consists of very wealthy businessmen, heads of industry, and people with a lot of family wealth.
Social Mobility
- Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move around different social positions.
- There are two types of social mobility: horizontal and vertical.
- Horizontal movement occurs when an individual moves within the same class, but to a different company or job.
- Vertical movement occurs when an individual moves up or down the social hierarchy, either through promotion or demotion.
Social Constructs and Social Mobility
- Historically, some societies have had a caste system, which allowed for very little social mobility.
- In a caste system, a person's role in life is determined by their background and position they are born into.
- The caste system provides social stability, but limits social mobility.
- The most common historic example of the caste system is the Hindu caste system.
Class System
- The class system is a step away from the caste system, allowing for a degree of social mobility.
- It combines a person's background with their ability, allowing for movement up or down the social ladder.
- The class system results in less social stability compared to the caste system.
Meritocracy
- A meritocracy is a concept where people achieve their social position based on their ability and achievements.
- In a meritocracy, social mobility is extreme, with people moving up and down based on their performance and achievement.
- There is little social stability in a meritocracy, as the background organization of families and social groups is less stable.
Social Classes and Social Mobility
- Society can be broken down into different social layers, including the Lower Class, Middle Class, and Upper Class.
- The Lower Class consists of people who do manual work, often with low-pay jobs.
- The Middle Class consists of people with better paying jobs, often involving professionals.
- The Upper Class consists of very wealthy businessmen, heads of industry, and people with a lot of family wealth.
Social Mobility
- Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move around different social positions.
- There are two types of social mobility: horizontal and vertical.
- Horizontal movement occurs when an individual moves within the same class, but to a different company or job.
- Vertical movement occurs when an individual moves up or down the social hierarchy, either through promotion or demotion.
Social Constructs and Social Mobility
- Historically, some societies have had a caste system, which allowed for very little social mobility.
- In a caste system, a person's role in life is determined by their background and position they are born into.
- The caste system provides social stability, but limits social mobility.
- The most common historic example of the caste system is the Hindu caste system.
Class System
- The class system is a step away from the caste system, allowing for a degree of social mobility.
- It combines a person's background with their ability, allowing for movement up or down the social ladder.
- The class system results in less social stability compared to the caste system.
Meritocracy
- A meritocracy is a concept where people achieve their social position based on their ability and achievements.
- In a meritocracy, social mobility is extreme, with people moving up and down based on their performance and achievement.
- There is little social stability in a meritocracy, as the background organization of families and social groups is less stable.
This quiz covers the different layers of society, including the lower class and middle class, and their characteristics.
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