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Questions and Answers
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a rating that combines social factors EXCEPT?
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a rating that combines social factors EXCEPT?
What is a class system?
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?
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?
What does social stratification refer to?
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Name and describe the two basic types of stratification systems.
Name and describe the two basic types of stratification systems.
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How is socioeconomic status used to determine an individual's rank in society?
How is socioeconomic status used to determine an individual's rank in society?
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How does social class affect societal roles?
How does social class affect societal roles?
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What does socioeconomic status encompass?
What does socioeconomic status encompass?
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What is social class?
What is social class?
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Marriage outside of one's own social category is called exogamy.
Marriage outside of one's own social category is called exogamy.
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Competition over scarce resources is seen as a cause of social inequality according to conflict theory.
Competition over scarce resources is seen as a cause of social inequality according to conflict theory.
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A division of society into categories, ranks, or classes is called social stratification.
A division of society into categories, ranks, or classes is called social stratification.
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Who are the bourgeoisie?
Who are the bourgeoisie?
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In a _____, a person is assigned a status at birth and remains at that level throughout life.
In a _____, a person is assigned a status at birth and remains at that level throughout life.
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What is social inequality?
What is social inequality?
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Endogamy is marriage within one's own social category.
Endogamy is marriage within one's own social category.
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Based on the caste system in India, the Harijans are the highest rank in their caste system.
Based on the caste system in India, the Harijans are the highest rank in their caste system.
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American society is based on the caste system.
American society is based on the caste system.
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In a class system, the distribution of scarce resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved status.
In a class system, the distribution of scarce resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved status.
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Name the three basic techniques used to rank individuals according to social class.
Name the three basic techniques used to rank individuals according to social class.
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The method of ranking social status that asks people to rank themselves is called the _____.
The method of ranking social status that asks people to rank themselves is called the _____.
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Those who hold jobs that require manual labor are in the?
Those who hold jobs that require manual labor are in the?
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What types of mobility does the United States class system include?
What types of mobility does the United States class system include?
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A doctor whose father worked as a janitor would be an example of?
A doctor whose father worked as a janitor would be an example of?
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A groundskeeper who moves from a school to a church and remains a groundskeeper is experiencing?
A groundskeeper who moves from a school to a church and remains a groundskeeper is experiencing?
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What are the techniques used to rank individuals according to social class?
What are the techniques used to rank individuals according to social class?
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Advances in technology can cause workers with outdated skills to experience?
Advances in technology can cause workers with outdated skills to experience?
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Differences between social classes in the United States are based on?
Differences between social classes in the United States are based on?
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Identify and describe the three types of social mobility.
Identify and describe the three types of social mobility.
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What social class is associated with professions like nursing and sales?
What social class is associated with professions like nursing and sales?
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Social classes in the United States are usually divided into three classes—upper class, middle class, and lower class.
Social classes in the United States are usually divided into three classes—upper class, middle class, and lower class.
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Families that experience unemployment and poverty over several generations are considered?
Families that experience unemployment and poverty over several generations are considered?
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The subjective method is used to define social class by income, occupation, and education.
The subjective method is used to define social class by income, occupation, and education.
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Individuals that are primarily high-income business people and professionals are part of the?
Individuals that are primarily high-income business people and professionals are part of the?
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What is the underclass?
What is the underclass?
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An open class system is based on social mobility that includes?
An open class system is based on social mobility that includes?
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Members of the upper middle class hold white-collar jobs.
Members of the upper middle class hold white-collar jobs.
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____ individuals can attend prestigious schools and their families have usually been wealthy for generations.
____ individuals can attend prestigious schools and their families have usually been wealthy for generations.
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Social mobility is not an important feature of an open class system.
Social mobility is not an important feature of an open class system.
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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.
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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!