Sociology Chapter 4 Flashcards

Social Class Perspectives

• Two views on class status: a continuum of resources (socioeconomic ladder) versus distinct groups (larger lower classes stacked under smaller higher classes).

Division of Labor

• Social process defining work roles and associated rewards.

Exploitation

• Labor from some individuals generates wealth controlled by others, highlighting economic disparities.

Life Chances

• Refers to practical opportunities for achieving material and personal goals.

Social Capital

• Resources accessed through relationships and social networks influence opportunities.

Generations of Wealth and Privilege

• The Winston family exemplifies upper-class networks offering higher life chances and social capital.

Generations of Working Poverty

• Working poor families possess networks but lack the life opportunities afforded by upper-class connections.

Family Networks

• Understanding class stratification and inequality is vital through examining social class networks.

Class Identity

• Awareness and belonging to a specific social class influence individual experiences.

Capitalist and Corporate Managerial Class

• Represents the "1 percent," consisting of a small group with significant economic and political power. Only 3.2% of American adults identify as upper class.

Middle Class

• A larger demographic historically associated with stable jobs requiring higher education, though this stability is diminishing.

Working Class

• Lives comparably to the middle class yet experiences more economic instability.

Lower Class

• Characterized by low income, high economic insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and housing. Includes individuals dependent on government assistance.

Social Class and Family Identity

• Social class influences family identity through socialization, parental strategies, children’s social experiences, and life opportunities.

Increasing Inequality

• A significant trend in U.S. history where social class and identity contribute to growing family life disparities.

Gini Index

• A statistical measure of inequality, with values ranging from 0 (complete equality) to 1 (complete inequality).

At the Bottom

• Factors contributing to lower social class include redlining, the War on Drugs, corporate prisons, and school segregation.

In the Middle

• Blue-collar jobs offer less security compared to higher-paying jobs that require advanced education.

At the Top

• The new super-rich have seen their income share double since 1970, with notable figures like Steve Jobs and Carl Icahn influencing the landscape.

Poverty Line

• Defined by the federal government, indicating the income threshold below which individuals or families are considered poor.

Poverty in the US

• As of 2012, the U.S. poverty rate was 15%, affecting approximately 46.5 million people, concentrated among certain racial and ethnic groups and linked to family structure.

Social Mobility

• Describes the movement between social classes, with significant sociological interest in the correlation between parents' social class and their children's eventual status.

Family Structure

• Family composition significantly affects economic outcomes and social class dynamics.

Explore key concepts from Chapter 4 on Families and Social Class. This quiz covers important terminology and definitions such as two broad perspectives on class status and the division of labor in society. Test your knowledge and enhance your understanding of sociological concepts.