Questions and Answers
What is Social Stratification?
What does Social Inequality refer to?
The unequal distribution of wealth, power, or prestige among members of a society
What is the most extreme form of social stratification?
Define Caste System.
Signup and view all the answers
What is Apartheid?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Social Class?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Socioeconomic Status (SES)?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain Intersectionality.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the Upper Class?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Upper-Middle Class consist of?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the Middle Class.
Signup and view all the answers
Define Working Class/Lower-Middle Class.
Signup and view all the answers
Explain Underclass.
Signup and view all the answers
What is Status Inconsistency?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Relative Deprivation?
Signup and view all the answers
Define Digital Divide.
Signup and view all the answers
What does Meritocracy mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Social Reproduction?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Simplicity Movement?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Social Stratification Concepts
- Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals within society based on various factors.
- Social inequality highlights disparities in the distribution of resources such as wealth, power, and prestige among individuals.
Forms of Social Stratification
- Slavery represents the most severe stratification, involving ownership of individuals.
- Caste systems rigidly dictate social status based on family history, with no possibility for change.
- Apartheid was a legalized racial segregation system in South Africa from 1948 to 1991.
Social Class Definitions
- Social class systems are based on access to wealth, property, and social prestige.
- Socioeconomic status (SES) is used to measure an individual's social class standing.
- Various classes in the U.S. include:
- Upper Class: Comprises about 1% of the population with significant wealth.
- Upper-Middle Class: Represents 14% of the population, typically including highly educated professionals.
- Middle Class: Encompasses around 30% with diverse occupations and income levels.
- Working Class/Lower-Middle Class: Also about 30%, consisting mainly of blue-collar workers.
- Working Poor: 13% of the population, often employed but still near poverty.
- Underclass: Constitutes 12%, primarily made up of the homeless and chronically unemployed.
Social Mobility Dynamics
- Status inconsistency occurs when individuals have mixed levels of social status.
- Systems of mobility are categorized as:
- Closed systems: Little opportunity for movement between classes.
- Open systems: Ample opportunities for upward or downward mobility.
- Types of mobility include:
- Intergenerational mobility: Movement between classes across generations.
- Intragenerational mobility: Movement within an individual's lifetime.
- Horizontal mobility: Changes within the same social class.
- Vertical mobility: Movement between different class statuses.
Economic and Cultural Factors
- Wealth is calculated based on net worth, including income and assets.
- Prestige relates to the honor associated with belonging to well-regarded social groups.
- Cultural capital encompasses the social assets that facilitate advantages in society.
Poverty and Inequality Concepts
- Relative deprivation assesses poverty based on societal standards.
- Absolute deprivation defines poverty by the inability to meet basic needs.
- The culture of poverty refers to acceptance of socio-economic conditions among disadvantaged communities.
Social Phenomena and Movements
- The Just-World Hypothesis explains people's tendencies to believe in a fair and orderly world, often leading to victim-blaming.
- Residential segregation involves the physical separation of impoverished communities from the wealthier population.
- Disenfranchisement occurs when citizenship rights are stripped away.
- The digital divide highlights disparities in access to technology.
Social Justice Movements
- Meritocracy is a belief that rewards should be based on individual merit.
- The simplicity movement advocates for reduced consumerism and encourages non-materialistic values in life choices.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the intricate world of social stratification and its various forms. This quiz covers the concepts of social inequality, class definitions, and historical examples such as slavery, caste systems, and apartheid. Test your understanding of how societal hierarchies affect individuals and groups.