Sociology Chapter 11: Social Class in the US

Questions and Answers

Based on national survey data, which of the following occupations ranked highest in social prestige?

Doctor

Teacher

Dentist (correct)

Engineer

In which of the following ways does the United States differ from most European nations and Japan?

The United States has social inequality but it never had a titled nobility

How do sociologists define the concept of wealth?

The values of income, all other assets, minus the value of all outstanding debts

The richest 20% of US families received ____ of all income earned in the US.

nearly one half Signup and view all the answers

According to data provided by the US Census Bureau, what percentage of all US income is earned by the 20% of families with the lowest income?

about 4% Signup and view all the answers

What is income?

earnings from work or investments Signup and view all the answers

What is wealth?

the total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts Signup and view all the answers

About what percentage of families make up the entire upper class in the US?

5% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following social classes accounts for the largest percent of the US population?

the middle class Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits would make you think that someone was at least in the middle class in the US?

he obtains a college degree Signup and view all the answers

What makes defining classes in US society so difficult?

US society has a relatively low level of status consistency so the boundaries between class levels are not very clear Signup and view all the answers

Where are we most likely to find high concentrations of lower income families?

the inner cities Signup and view all the answers

Compared to high income people, working class people tend to be ____ controversial patterns of behavior in others.

less tolerant of Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements provides the most accurate example of a difference between people of high social standing and people of low social standing?

People of high social standing tend to favor lower taxes than people of low standing because high income people have more wealth to protect Signup and view all the answers

Why is health closely related to social standing?

richer people live healthier and longer because they eat more nutritious food and receive better medical care Signup and view all the answers

Compared to middle class parents, working class parents are more likely to encourage ____ in their children.

obedience and respect for authority figure Signup and view all the answers

Compared to working class couples, middle class couples are more likely to ____

share common interests Signup and view all the answers

A change in social position that occurs during a person's lifetime is known as ____.

intragenerational social mobility Signup and view all the answers

Manufacturing jobs lost in the US since 1960 have largely been replaced by _____ jobs.

service Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is especially likely to result in downward social mobility for women?

getting divorced Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following situations provides the best example of horizontal social mobility?

Melinda Chavez, a tax attorney living in Phoenix, Arizona, has been working in her law firm for six years but would like to relocate to her hometown of San Francisco. Signup and view all the answers

Callahan, who was born to working-class parents, just graduated from medical school and passed his medical board exams. He would be considered to have experienced ____.

upward mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is intragenerational social mobility?

a change in social position occurring during a person's lifetime Signup and view all the answers

What is intergenerational social mobility?

upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their parents Signup and view all the answers

What is horizontal social mobility?

changing jobs at the same level Signup and view all the answers

All systems of social inequality create _____, the lack of resources of some people in relation to those who have more.

relative poverty Signup and view all the answers

Who makes up the fastest growing category of homeless people?

children Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Highest Social Prestige Occupation: Dentists are ranked highest based on national survey data regarding social prestige.
Social Inequality in the US: The United States experiences social inequality without a historical context of a titled nobility, which is common in many European nations and Japan.
Definition of Wealth: Wealth is defined as the total value of income and assets, minus outstanding debts.
Income Distribution: The richest 20% of US families earn nearly half of all income generated in the country.
Lower Class Income: The poorest 20% of families earn about 4% of total US income.
Income: Refers to earnings generated from work or investments.
Total Wealth: Total wealth encompasses money and all other assets, again minus outstanding debts.
Upper Class Population: Approximately 5% of families belong to the upper class in the US.
Middle Class Majority: The middle class accounts for the largest segment of the US population.
Middle Class Indicator: Obtaining a college degree is a trait typically associated with being in the middle class.
Challenges in Class Definitions: The low level of status consistency in US society complicates clear delineation between social classes.
Lower Income Family Concentrations: High concentrations of lower-income families are often found in inner cities.
Working Class Tolerance: Working-class individuals tend to be less tolerant of controversial behaviors compared to the higher-income individuals.
Tax Preferences: Individuals of high social standing often favor lower taxes, as they have more wealth at stake compared to those of lower standing.
Health and Social Standing: Higher income individuals generally enjoy better health and longer lifespans due to access to nutritious food and superior medical care.
Parental Attitudes: Working-class parents typically emphasize obedience and respect for authority in their children more than middle-class parents.
Couples' Interests: Middle-class couples are more likely to share common interests compared to working-class couples.
Intragenerational Social Mobility: Refers to a change in social position within an individual’s lifetime.
Job Changes Post 1960: The shift from manufacturing jobs in the US since 1960 has led to an increase in service jobs.
Downward Mobility Factors for Women: Divorce is identified as a significant factor contributing to downward social mobility for women.
Horizontal Social Mobility Example: An attorney moving to a new firm with a slightly higher salary demonstrates horizontal mobility at the same professional level.
Upward Mobility Example: Callahan, graduating from medical school as a child of working-class parents, exemplifies upward mobility.
Types of Social Mobility:
- Intragenerational Social Mobility: Change within an individual’s life.
- Intergenerational Social Mobility: Changes in social position of children relative to their parents.
- Horizontal Social Mobility: Shifts in jobs at the same social level.
Relative Poverty: Refers to the lack of resources in comparison to individuals with more wealth.
Homeless Demographics: Children represent the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population.

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Test your knowledge on social class dynamics in the United States with our flashcards based on Chapter 11. This quiz covers various aspects, including occupational prestige and social inequality compared to other nations. Perfect for sociology students looking to deepen their understanding of social structures.