Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a system in which people are born into a social standing that they will retain their entire lives?
What is a system in which people are born into a social standing that they will retain their entire lives?
What do you call a group who shares a common social status based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation?
What do you call a group who shares a common social status based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation?
Class
What is social standing based on social factors and individual accomplishments called?
What is social standing based on social factors and individual accomplishments called?
Class System
What defines the typical behaviors, customs, and norms that characterize each class?
What defines the typical behaviors, customs, and norms that characterize each class?
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What is the act of buying and using products to make a statement about social standing called?
What is the act of buying and using products to make a statement about social standing called?
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What thesis argues that some social stratification is a social necessity?
What thesis argues that some social stratification is a social necessity?
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What is the term for a lowering of one's social class?
What is the term for a lowering of one's social class?
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What are unions of people within the same social category called?
What are unions of people within the same social category called?
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What do you call unions of spouses from different social categories?
What do you call unions of spouses from different social categories?
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What is a comparison of the wealth, economic stability, status, and power of countries as a whole called?
What is a comparison of the wealth, economic stability, status, and power of countries as a whole called?
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What is the money a person earns from work or investments called?
What is the money a person earns from work or investments called?
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What is a difference in social class between different generations of a family called?
What is a difference in social class between different generations of a family called?
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What do you call a difference in social class between different members of the same generation?
What do you call a difference in social class between different members of the same generation?
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What is an ideal system where personal effort—or merit—determines social standing called?
What is an ideal system where personal effort—or merit—determines social standing called?
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What is the law stating that all property passes to the firstborn son called?
What is the law stating that all property passes to the firstborn son called?
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What is the ability to change positions within a social stratification system called?
What is the ability to change positions within a social stratification system called?
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What is a socioeconomic system that divides society into categories ranking from high to low based on wealth, power, and prestige called?
What is a socioeconomic system that divides society into categories ranking from high to low based on wealth, power, and prestige called?
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What is the level of wealth available to acquire material goods and comforts to maintain a specific socioeconomic lifestyle called?
What is the level of wealth available to acquire material goods and comforts to maintain a specific socioeconomic lifestyle called?
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What is the consistency, or lack thereof, of an individual's rank across categories like income, education, and occupation called?
What is the consistency, or lack thereof, of an individual's rank across categories like income, education, and occupation called?
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What is a societal change that enables a whole group of people to move up or down the class ladder called?
What is a societal change that enables a whole group of people to move up or down the class ladder called?
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What is an increase—or upward shift—in social class called?
What is an increase—or upward shift—in social class called?
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What is the value of money and assets a person has from, for example, inheritance called?
What is the value of money and assets a person has from, for example, inheritance called?
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What factor makes caste systems closed?
What factor makes caste systems closed?
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What factor makes class systems open?
What factor makes class systems open?
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Which of these systems allows for the most social mobility?
Which of these systems allows for the most social mobility?
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Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?
Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?
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Which statement illustrates low status consistency?
Which statement illustrates low status consistency?
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Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:
Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:
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In the United States, most people define themselves as:
In the United States, most people define themselves as:
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Structural mobility occurs when:
Structural mobility occurs when:
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The behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a class are known as:
The behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a class are known as:
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Which of the following scenarios is an example of intergenerational mobility?
Which of the following scenarios is an example of intergenerational mobility?
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Occupational prestige means that jobs are:
Occupational prestige means that jobs are:
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Social stratification is a system that:
Social stratification is a system that:
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Which graphic concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?
Which graphic concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?
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The GNI PPP figure represents:
The GNI PPP figure represents:
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The basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:
The basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:
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Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because of social stratification, some qualified people were _______ higher-level job positions.
Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because of social stratification, some qualified people were _______ higher-level job positions.
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Which statement represents stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?
Which statement represents stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?
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When Karl Marx said workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:
When Karl Marx said workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:
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Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:
Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:
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Study Notes
Caste and Class Systems
- Caste System: Individuals are born into a social standing that remains fixed throughout life, restricting social mobility.
- Class: A group characterized by shared social status influenced by wealth, education, income, and occupation.
- Class System: Based on social factors and individual achievements, allowing for movement between classes.
Class Characteristics and Mobility
- Class Traits: Behaviors, customs, and norms that define each social class; also considered class markers.
- Conspicuous Consumption: The practice of purchasing goods to display social status.
- Social Mobility: The ability to change positions within a social hierarchy, which can be influenced by factors such as education and economic opportunities.
Theories and Perspectives
- Davis-Moore Thesis: Argues that some degree of social stratification is necessary for society's functioning, as it motivates individuals and rewards accomplishments.
- Melvin Tumin's Critique: Suggests that some qualified individuals are denied opportunities for higher-level jobs due to stratification.
- Conflict Theory: Views capitalists as those who accumulate wealth while the working class remains impoverished.
Mobility Types
- Downward Mobility: The decline in social class.
- Upward Mobility: Movement to a higher social class.
- Intergenerational Mobility: Changes in social class between different generations within the same family.
- Intragenerational Mobility: Changes in social class within a single generation.
- Structural Mobility: Changes in class status that affect entire groups due to societal shifts.
Social Stratification and Status
- Social Stratification: A system dividing society into ranks based on wealth, power, and prestige.
- Status Consistency: The degree to which an individual’s social standing is stable across various categories, such as income and occupation.
- Standard of Living: The level of wealth available to maintain a certain socioeconomic lifestyle.
Marriage and Social Standing
- Endogamous Marriages: Unions within the same social category, which can preserve social standing.
- Exogamous Unions: Marriages between individuals from different social categories.
Economic Concepts
- Income: Money earned from work or investments.
- Wealth: The total value of money and assets owned, often inherited.
- Global Stratification: Comparison of wealth, status, and power among countries.
Symbols and Illustrations
- Symbolic Interactionism: A perspective that emphasizes individual experiences and interpretations, as illustrated by a janitor's comfort level in social settings.
- Visual Representation: Social stratification is often illustrated as a pyramid, indicating various ranks in society.
Historical Perspectives
- Karl Marx's Views on Alienation: Workers feel disconnected from their work, impacting their sense of fulfillment and social identity.
- Primogeniture: A legal right where property is inherited by the firstborn son, impacting social and economic structures.
Key Terms
- Meritocracy: A system where social standing is based on individual effort and merit.
- Pyramid: A common graphic to represent social stratification in society.
- GNI PPP: Measures the average income of a country's citizens, reflecting economic conditions.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of caste and class systems in society. This quiz covers social mobility, class characteristics, and key theories like the Davis-Moore Thesis. Test your understanding of how these social structures influence individuals and communities.
