Questions and Answers
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a rating that combines social factors EXCEPT?
What is a class system?
The distribution of scarce resources and rewards that is determined on the basis of achieved status.
What is a caste system?
A system in which scarce resources and social rewards are distributed on the basis of ascribed statuses.
What does social stratification refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Name and describe the two basic types of stratification systems.
Signup and view all the answers
How is socioeconomic status used to determine an individual's rank in society?
Signup and view all the answers
How does social class affect societal roles?
Signup and view all the answers
What does socioeconomic status encompass?
Signup and view all the answers
What is social class?
Signup and view all the answers
Marriage outside of one's own social category is called exogamy.
Signup and view all the answers
Competition over scarce resources is seen as a cause of social inequality according to conflict theory.
Signup and view all the answers
A division of society into categories, ranks, or classes is called social stratification.
Signup and view all the answers
Who are the bourgeoisie?
Signup and view all the answers
In a _____, a person is assigned a status at birth and remains at that level throughout life.
Signup and view all the answers
What is social inequality?
Signup and view all the answers
Endogamy is marriage within one's own social category.
Signup and view all the answers
Based on the caste system in India, the Harijans are the highest rank in their caste system.
Signup and view all the answers
American society is based on the caste system.
Signup and view all the answers
In a class system, the distribution of scarce resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved status.
Signup and view all the answers
Name the three basic techniques used to rank individuals according to social class.
Signup and view all the answers
The method of ranking social status that asks people to rank themselves is called the _____.
Signup and view all the answers
Those who hold jobs that require manual labor are in the?
Signup and view all the answers
What types of mobility does the United States class system include?
Signup and view all the answers
A doctor whose father worked as a janitor would be an example of?
Signup and view all the answers
A groundskeeper who moves from a school to a church and remains a groundskeeper is experiencing?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the techniques used to rank individuals according to social class?
Signup and view all the answers
Advances in technology can cause workers with outdated skills to experience?
Signup and view all the answers
Differences between social classes in the United States are based on?
Signup and view all the answers
Identify and describe the three types of social mobility.
Signup and view all the answers
What social class is associated with professions like nursing and sales?
Signup and view all the answers
Social classes in the United States are usually divided into three classes—upper class, middle class, and lower class.
Signup and view all the answers
Families that experience unemployment and poverty over several generations are considered?
Signup and view all the answers
The subjective method is used to define social class by income, occupation, and education.
Signup and view all the answers
Individuals that are primarily high-income business people and professionals are part of the?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the underclass?
Signup and view all the answers
An open class system is based on social mobility that includes?
Signup and view all the answers
Members of the upper middle class hold white-collar jobs.
Signup and view all the answers
____ individuals can attend prestigious schools and their families have usually been wealthy for generations.
Signup and view all the answers
Social mobility is not an important feature of an open class system.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
- SES incorporates factors like education level, occupation prestige, and income to assess an individual's societal rank.
- Important for measuring wealth, power, and prestige within society.
- Excludes factors such as race and ethnicity in its rating.
Stratification Systems
- Class System: Resource distribution based on achieved status; allows for more social mobility.
- Caste System: Fixed resource distribution based on ascribed status; individuals remain at their assigned level throughout life.
- The United States predominantly operates under a class system with open social mobility.
Social Stratification
- Refers to the hierarchical classification of individuals into categories based on certain characteristics.
- Results in unequal access to resources and social rewards, contributing to social inequality.
Social Class
- Defined as a collective of individuals sharing similar levels of wealth, power, and prestige.
- Divided into three primary classes in the U.S.: upper class, middle class, lower class.
Social Mobility
- Horizontal Mobility: Movement within the same social class, often related to job changes that don't alter social status.
- Vertical Mobility: Movement between different social classes, either upward or downward.
- Intergenerational Mobility: Status changes within a family across generations, exemplified by a child achieving a different social class than their parents.
Ranking Techniques in Social Class
- Reputational Method: Community members rank each other based on perceived character and lifestyle.
- Subjective Method: Individuals assess their own social rank.
- Objective Method: Classification based on measurable criteria like income, occupation, and education.
Working and Underclass
- The working class typically consists of those in manual labor jobs.
- The underclass includes families facing prolonged poverty and unemployment and is often reliant on public assistance.
Upper Classes
- The upper middle class is characterized by high-ranking professionals and business individuals.
- Upper class individuals often have access to prestigious education and wealth passed through generations.
Social Inequality
- Conflict theory posits that competition over limited resources is a leading cause of social inequality.
- Economic and social differences are influenced by lifestyle, income, and societal beliefs.
Miscellaneous
- Exogamy refers to marrying outside of one's social category; endogamy is the opposite.
- Advances in technology can lead to workers experiencing downward mobility due to outdated skills.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your understanding of key concepts in Sociology with these Chapter 4 flashcards. Explore definitions and distinctions between socioeconomic status, class systems, and caste systems. Perfect for reviewing critical sociological terms!