Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characteristic defines closed caste systems?
What characteristic defines closed caste systems?
Which social system is associated with the highest potential for social mobility?
Which social system is associated with the highest potential for social mobility?
Who exemplifies upward social mobility in contemporary society?
Who exemplifies upward social mobility in contemporary society?
What illustrates low status consistency within a social class?
What illustrates low status consistency within a social class?
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According to the principles of meritocracy, what can be expected of a physician's assistant?
According to the principles of meritocracy, what can be expected of a physician's assistant?
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Self-identification of social class in the United States most commonly correlates with which designation?
Self-identification of social class in the United States most commonly correlates with which designation?
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What term refers to the behaviors and norms associated with a specific social class?
What term refers to the behaviors and norms associated with a specific social class?
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How do traditional models of global stratification categorize countries?
How do traditional models of global stratification categorize countries?
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What term describes a hierarchical ranking system that maintains unequal rewards and power in society?
What term describes a hierarchical ranking system that maintains unequal rewards and power in society?
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Which factor is least likely to impact a person's standard of living?
Which factor is least likely to impact a person's standard of living?
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What sociological theory would emphasize access to education as a reason some people become medical doctors?
What sociological theory would emphasize access to education as a reason some people become medical doctors?
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Which industry is projected to experience the least growth in the next decade?
Which industry is projected to experience the least growth in the next decade?
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Conspicuous consumption primarily reflects which of the following behaviors?
Conspicuous consumption primarily reflects which of the following behaviors?
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In society, what does the Davis-Moore thesis suggest about job compensation?
In society, what does the Davis-Moore thesis suggest about job compensation?
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Which structural form of stratification locks children into their parents' social positions?
Which structural form of stratification locks children into their parents' social positions?
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What is a common reason for reluctance in discussing social class in America?
What is a common reason for reluctance in discussing social class in America?
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What major economic condition did the United States face by 2009?
What major economic condition did the United States face by 2009?
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When discussing patterns in federal minimum wage changes, which option is most accurate?
When discussing patterns in federal minimum wage changes, which option is most accurate?
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What does the GNI PPP figure represent?
What does the GNI PPP figure represent?
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What is the basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis regarding social stratification?
What is the basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis regarding social stratification?
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Melvin Tumin argued that social stratification denies ______ the opportunity to obtain higher-level job positions.
Melvin Tumin argued that social stratification denies ______ the opportunity to obtain higher-level job positions.
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From the perspective of symbolic interactionism, which statement best illustrates social stratification?
From the perspective of symbolic interactionism, which statement best illustrates social stratification?
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According to Karl Marx, alienation from work signifies that workers:
According to Karl Marx, alienation from work signifies that workers:
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What do conflict theorists believe about capitalists?
What do conflict theorists believe about capitalists?
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What is the term for the upward or downward movement in social class by family members across generations?
What is the term for the upward or downward movement in social class by family members across generations?
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Which system of stratification results in social rank being ascribed at birth?
Which system of stratification results in social rank being ascribed at birth?
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Which industry is notProjected to grow in the next 10 years in the United States?
Which industry is notProjected to grow in the next 10 years in the United States?
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In the context of current cost of living data, how much is approximately required for a typical family of four to maintain a modest standard of living?
In the context of current cost of living data, how much is approximately required for a typical family of four to maintain a modest standard of living?
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What does the term 'assistance invisibility of class' refer to?
What does the term 'assistance invisibility of class' refer to?
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Based on Marx’s perspective, how many distinct social classes are identified?
Based on Marx’s perspective, how many distinct social classes are identified?
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What is considered a common effect of a recession on society?
What is considered a common effect of a recession on society?
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What is the definition of stratification in a societal context?
What is the definition of stratification in a societal context?
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Study Notes
Social Stratification
- Caste systems: Are closed systems, limiting social mobility due to rigid social standing ascribed at birth. They are often associated with secretive governments and are typically outlawed.
- Social mobility: Meritocracies allow for the most social mobility.
- Upward mobility: First-generation college students are an example of upward social mobility.
- Low status consistency: A college dropout launching a successful online company is an example of low status consistency.
- Meritocracy example: A physician's assistant who performs excellent work would most likely earn a pay raise.
Social Stratification and Mobility in the United States
- Class identification: Most Americans identify as middle class.
- Class traits: Behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a social class. Examples include lifestyles and values related to class.
- Intragenerational mobility: A change in social class within one generation. For instance, a lawyer belonging to a different class than her sister.
- Occupational prestige: Jobs are not equally valued. A professional job is often valued over a service job.
- Economic factors: Socioeconomic factors, such as minimum wage, affects people's standing.
Global Stratification and Inequality
- Global stratification: Models of global stratification analyze the degree of industrialization as a factor in separating countries.
- Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution significantly divided Western Europe/America from the rest of the world.
- GNI PPP: The GNI PPP figure represents a country's average annual citizen income. This is a key metric for understanding a country's economic status and standard of living.
Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification
- Davis-Moore thesis: The unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification serves a purpose in society.
- Tumin's critique: Tumin disagreed with the Davis-Moore thesis. He believed social stratification denies qualified individuals access to high-level positions.
- Symbolic interactionism: A janitor might be more comfortable in a truck stop than a fancy restaurant, reflecting different social class experiences and perceptions. The value assigned for professions is often seen as a reflection of the prestige and status associated with that occupation within society.
- Conflict theory: Marx's perspective: There are two main social classes - capitalists and workers. Capitalists benefit by exploiting workers, keeping them poor.
- Alienation (Marx): Workers feel disconnected from their jobs and one another due to structured power dynamics in the workplace.
- Outsourcing: A company moving jobs to another location, such as from Baltimore to New Delhi.
- Conspicuous consumption: Purchasing items to display one's wealth and social status.
- Downward mobility: A decline in social class status after experiencing an economic downturn.
- Polarization: The widening gap in economic disparity. (High and low economic levels increase in opportunities while middle levels have less.)
- Meritocracy: Promotions and raises based on hard work and merit, such as a college graduate working hard and reaching a management position.
- Underemployment: Working a lower-paying job than one's skills or education justify.
- Intergenerational mobility: Change in social class between generations. If a child has a different social class than their parent(s), this demonstrates intergenerational mobility.
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Description
Test your knowledge on social stratification and mobility concepts. This quiz covers caste systems, social mobility, and class identification in the United States. Explore examples and definitions to deepen your understanding of these important sociological topics.
