Sociology Caste and Class Systems

Questions and Answers

What is a system in which people are born into a social standing that they will retain their entire lives?

Class System

Social Mobility

Caste System (correct)

Class

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?

Class System

What defines the typical behaviors, customs, and norms that characterize each class?

Class Traits Signup and view all the answers

What is the act of buying and using products to make a statement about social standing called?

Conspicuous Consumption Signup and view all the answers

What thesis argues that some social stratification is a social necessity?

Davis-Moore Thesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a lowering of one's social class?

Downward Mobility Signup and view all the answers

What are unions of people within the same social category called?

Endogamous marriages Signup and view all the answers

What do you call unions of spouses from different social categories?

Exogamous Unions Signup and view all the answers

What is a comparison of the wealth, economic stability, status, and power of countries as a whole called?

Global stratification Signup and view all the answers

What is the money a person earns from work or investments called?

Income Signup and view all the answers

What is a difference in social class between different generations of a family called?

Intergenerational mobility Signup and view all the answers

What do you call a difference in social class between different members of the same generation?

Intragenerational mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is an ideal system where personal effort—or merit—determines social standing called?

Meritocracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the law stating that all property passes to the firstborn son called?

Primogeniture Signup and view all the answers

What is the ability to change positions within a social stratification system called?

Social mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is a socioeconomic system that divides society into categories ranking from high to low based on wealth, power, and prestige called?

Social stratification Signup and view all the answers

What is the level of wealth available to acquire material goods and comforts to maintain a specific socioeconomic lifestyle called?

Standard of living Signup and view all the answers

What is the consistency, or lack thereof, of an individual's rank across categories like income, education, and occupation called?

Status consistency Signup and view all the answers

What is a societal change that enables a whole group of people to move up or down the class ladder called?

Structural mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is an increase—or upward shift—in social class called?

Upward mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of money and assets a person has from, for example, inheritance called?

Wealth Signup and view all the answers

What factor makes caste systems closed?

People cannot change their social standings Signup and view all the answers

What factor makes class systems open?

They allow for movement between the classes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these systems allows for the most social mobility?

Class Signup and view all the answers

Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?

First-generation college student Signup and view all the answers

Which statement illustrates low status consistency?

A college dropout launches an online company that earns millions in its first year Signup and view all the answers

Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:

Earn a pay raise for doing excellent work Signup and view all the answers

In the United States, most people define themselves as:

Middle class Signup and view all the answers

Structural mobility occurs when:

A large group moves up or down the class ladder due to societal changes Signup and view all the answers

The behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a class are known as:

Class traits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios is an example of intergenerational mobility?

An executive belongs to a different class than her parents Signup and view all the answers

Occupational prestige means that jobs are:

Not equally valued Signup and view all the answers

Social stratification is a system that:

Ranks society members into categories Signup and view all the answers

Which graphic concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?

Pyramid Signup and view all the answers

The GNI PPP figure represents:

The average annual income of a country's citizens Signup and view all the answers

The basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:

Serves a purpose in society Signup and view all the answers

Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because of social stratification, some qualified people were _______ higher-level job positions.

Denied the opportunity to obtain Signup and view all the answers

Which statement represents stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?

After work, Pat, a janitor, feels more comfortable eating in a truck stop than a French restaurant Signup and view all the answers

When Karl Marx said workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:

Do not feel connected to their work Signup and view all the answers

Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:

Get rich while workers stay poor Signup and view all the answers

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: 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.

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.