Social Stratification Overview

Questions and Answers

What best describes social stratification?

It is the system of structured social inequality and the structure of mobility in a society.

In societies where social mobility is possible, which of the following is most accurate?

Most people change their social location frequently.

Social classes are strictly defined.

Everyone rises to the upper class.

Most people remain at the same social location throughout their lives. (correct)

Steve's belief that hard work leads to success represents which system?

Meritocracy

Which of the following would NOT apply to social stratification?

It allows for the society to properly function. Signup and view all the answers

What is the system of social stratification that is fixed and permanent called?

Caste Signup and view all the answers

How many castes are traditionally included in the Indian caste system?

4 Signup and view all the answers

On whose estate does Geoff, a serf in the feudal system, work?

Feudal lord Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was included in the feudal system?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a cause of the decline of feudalism?

Society began to shift from the rural manor to the urban center. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most modern form of stratification called?

Class Signup and view all the answers

Chris's ability to change social locations in the United States is an example of what concept?

Social mobility Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first social scientist to make class a foundation of their entire theory?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the mode of production?

The organization of society to produce what people need to survive. Signup and view all the answers

What Marxian concept does Allison's factory own represent?

The mode of production Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best example of a proletariat?

Wage laborers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Max Weber's components to social class?

Dominance (power) Signup and view all the answers

What is one's socially defined position in a group characterized by certain expectations and rights called?

Status Signup and view all the answers

What concept best describes John's ability to control his working situation?

Power Signup and view all the answers

How many socioeconomic classes do today's sociologists argue may exist in the United States?

At least six or more Signup and view all the answers

Which social class has no income and no connection to the job market?

Underclass Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT simply identified as an ascribed status but also as an achieved status?

Class Signup and view all the answers

Which United States president declared a war on poverty?

Lyndon Johnson Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true about the poor in America?

The elderly are more likely to be poor than any other group. Signup and view all the answers

What concept is demonstrated by women heading one-half of all poor families?

Feminization of poverty Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the culture of poverty?

People are socialized into believing they have nothing to strive for. Signup and view all the answers

What form of social mobility is demonstrated by the difference between John, a CEO, and his father, who is still working class?

Intergenerational Signup and view all the answers

What is social mobility when a working-class person moves into the upper class called?

Intragenerational Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defined as a system of structured social inequality and mobility within a society.
In societies permitting social mobility, individuals often remain in the same social class throughout their lives.
Meritocracy suggests that hard work leads to success, while lack of effort results in failure.

Caste system: A fixed, permanent social stratification with no opportunity for mobility.
Indian caste system classifies society into four main castes.

Historical Context

In the feudal system, serfs like Geoff worked on the estates of feudal lords.
Feudalism declined as society shifted from rural settings to urban centers.

Modern Class Structure

The most contemporary form of stratification is referred to as class, with sociologists identifying at least six socioeconomic classes in the U.S., often categorized by household income.
The underclass represents individuals with no income and no ties to the job market.

Chris's journey from a working-class family in Harlem to a tenured position at Harvard exemplifies social mobility.
Karl Marx highlighted class dynamics as central to societal theory.
Status reflects one's socially defined position within a group, characterized by expectations and rights.
Power describes an individual's control over work conditions.

Socioeconomic Classes

Class can be both ascribed (given at birth) and achieved (attained through performance).
Lyndon Johnson declared a "war on poverty" to address income disparities in America.
It is misleading to assume the elderly are the most poverty-stricken demographic in the U.S.

Feminization of Poverty

Women head about half of all impoverished families, illustrating the feminization of poverty.
The culture of poverty refers to generational socialization into a mindset of hopelessness and lack of aspiration.

Intergenerational and Intragenerational Mobility

John’s rise to CEO status illustrates intergenerational social mobility, contrasting his circumstances with those of his father.
Intragenerational social mobility occurs when a working-class individual moves into the upper class during their lifetime.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of social stratification, including its definition, types like caste and class systems, and their historical contexts. Understand how social mobility works in different societies and the modern class structure in the U.S.