Sociology Chapter 7 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is social stratification?

A system where everyone has the same social status

Arrangement of society into layers based on equal distribution of resources

Arrangement of society into layers based on unequal distribution of resources, prestige, or power (correct)

A method to classify occupations

What is a caste system?

A fixed arrangement of strata determined by birth (correct)

A system with lots of social mobility

A flexible social hierarchy

A democratic social structure

What is social mobility?

Possibility that an individual can change their position in the stratification system.

How are boundaries between castes maintained?

By regulating who marries whom Signup and view all the answers

What is a class system?

A system in which social standing is determined by factors such as education, income, and work experience. Signup and view all the answers

Class systems allow for social mobility.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is class consistency?

Similarity among the characteristics that define class strata. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three parts of social standing according to Max Weber?

Class, Party, Status Signup and view all the answers

What does socioeconomic status refer to?

A person's ranking along several social dimensions, particularly education, occupational prestige, and income. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following occupations is an example of a white collar job?

Office manager Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of absolute poverty?

The poverty of people who cannot afford some minimum of food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. Signup and view all the answers

Relative poverty is determined only by comparison with others.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does the culture of poverty refer to?

The set of norms and values that helps the poor adapt to their situation Signup and view all the answers

What is intergenerational mobility?

Upward and downward mobility in socioeconomic status measured by the standing of children compared with that of their parents. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

False consciousness = A class's acceptance of an ideology contrary to their best interests Class consciousness = Awareness of being oppressed as a social class Structural mobility = Movement caused by changes in society itself Ideology = Pattern of beliefs justifying a societal arrangement Signup and view all the answers

What is the criticism of the functionalist perspective?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What does the conflict perspective say about class position?

Class position is determined by the ownership of property. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defined as the layered arrangement of society based on unequal distribution of resources, prestige, or power, with top strata holding the most resources.

Caste System

A fixed hierarchical structure where social status is assigned at birth, creating distinct and non-overlapping boundaries.
Extremely limited social mobility between castes is characteristic.

Refers to an individual's ability to move within the stratification system, influenced by whether the society is a class or caste system.

Maintaining Caste Boundaries

Castes are upheld through rules governing marriage and sexual relations, prohibiting inter-caste unions.
Children inherit the caste status of their parents, restricting caste interactions.

Class System

Social standing in a class system is influenced by factors like education, income, and work experience, allowing for personal control over status.

Strata boundaries in class systems are fluid and interconnected, lacking clear distinctions.

Class Consistency

Refers to the similarity among individuals within a specific class strata, sharing comparable characteristics.

Class: determined by wealth and economic status
Party: associated with political power
Status: linked to social prestige and honor

Status Consistency

Describes individuals with similar rankings across various socioeconomic dimensions.

Socioeconomic Status

A composite measure factoring in education, occupational prestige, and income to determine an individual's social ranking.

Occupational Classifications

White Collar: Jobs focused on mental tasks, typically indoors and with less supervision.
Blue Collar: Jobs involving physical labor, usually under close supervision.
Pink Collar: Occupations often associated with women's work, such as teaching or nursing.

Prestige and Esteem

Prestige: Honor connected to one's occupation or social position.
Esteem: Honor attributed to the individual fulfilling that position.

Objective Method: Class rankings based on quantifiable data like income and education.
Reputational Method: Class assignment by community reputation.
Self-Identification: Individuals classify themselves into social classes.

Upper Class

Comprised of elite families, often ascribed status, tightly knit, and socialization into elite norms and privileges.

Upper-Lower and Lower-Middle Classes

Upper-Lower: Recent achievers of wealth.
Lower-Middle: Occupants often less educated with a focus on job security, leading a lifestyle dependent on earnings.

Working and Lower-Lower Class

Working Poor: Individuals with jobs yet insufficient earnings for savings.
Chronically Poor: Individuals with sporadic employment, often in substandard living conditions.

Mobility Types

Intergenerational: Economic status changes of children relative to their parents.
Structural: Mobility affecting entire groups caused by societal shifts.

Ideology Concepts

Ideology: A collection of beliefs that rationalizes societal structures.
False Consciousness: The adoption of misleading beliefs by a class undermining their interests.
Class Consciousness: Recognition among members of a class about their shared struggles and oppression.

Poverty Types

Relative Poverty: Evaluation of poverty in comparison to others.
Absolute Poverty: States where individuals cannot afford basic living necessities.

Truly Disadvantaged and Culture of Poverty

Truly Disadvantaged: Individuals entrenched in deep socio-economic issues in urban areas.
Culture of Poverty: Norms and values that contribute to the adaptation strategies of the impoverished.

Functionalist Perspective

Asserts societal roles vary in desirability, ensuring rewards align with talent and qualifications.
Highlights the utilitarian aspect of poverty providing inexpensive labor and stability for the middle class.

Criticisms of Functionalism

Overemphasis on the role of position and rewards while assuming equal societal opportunity for all.

Conflict Perspective by Karl Marx

Class position is determined by property ownership; the bourgeoisie versus the working class.
Proletariat awareness can lead to organized revolutionary action against the bourgeoisie.

Pierre Bourdieu's Capital Types

Economic Capital: Monetary resources for producing goods/services.
Social Capital: Connections in social networks aiding economic benefits.
Cultural Capital: Skills and credentials advantageous in society.
Symbolic Capital: The ability to use symbols to confer legitimacy to capital levels.

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Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 7 of sociology, focusing on social stratification and caste systems. These flashcards will help you understand the layers of society and the implications of unequal resource distribution.