Questions and Answers
What is the definition of social inequality?
Which of the following describes social stratification?
What defines a caste society?
A society where different social levels are closed, and individuals must remain at the social level of their birth throughout life.
What are class societies characterized by?
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What are social categories?
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How is social class defined?
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What is income?
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What does wealth (net worth) refer to?
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What are net financial assets?
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What is an occupation?
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What does status refer to in a social context?
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What is political power?
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What are food deserts?
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What is the official poverty line?
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What are Life Chances, according to Weber?
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What is social mobility?
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What describes intergenerational mobility?
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How does functionalism explain social inequality?
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What is conflict theory?
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What is the cultural poverty argument?
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Study Notes
Social Inequality and Stratification
- Social inequality refers to significant disparities in wealth, income, power, and prestige among individuals and groups.
- Social stratification is the hierarchical ranking of groups within a society, creating layers of inequality.
Societal Structures
- Caste society enforces closed social levels, preventing movement beyond one's birth status.
- Class societies allow for unequal access to economic resources and privileges, leading to class distinctions.
Economic Factors
- Income is defined as the earnings of individuals or households during a specified timeframe.
- Wealth, or net worth, encompasses all owned assets minus debts, and it tends to be more unevenly distributed than income.
- Net financial assets assess individual wealth without considering less liquid assets.
Occupation and Status
- Occupation signifies a person's job and can affect their socioeconomic standing.
- Status refers to the prestige associated with one's social position, often linked to occupation.
Political Influence
- Political power defines the ability to influence political entities to serve individual or group interests.
Poverty and Life Chances
- Food deserts describe areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.
- The official poverty line is a government-determined income threshold to meet basic family needs.
- Life chances, a concept by Weber, highlight the shared opportunities influenced by class position.
Social Mobility
- Social mobility represents both upward and downward movement within social hierarchies.
- Myths, such as "rags to riches," often misrepresent actual paths of social mobility.
- Intergenerational mobility occurs between different generations, while intragenerational mobility happens within the same generation.
Theoretical Perspectives
- The conflict perspective emphasizes ongoing struggles in unequal access to resources between economic classes (bourgeoisie vs. proletariat).
- Marx defined social class through owners of production versus exploited workers, while Weber focused on market position and wealth as class determinants.
- Functionalism frames social inequality as a result of individuals fulfilling roles suitable for their capabilities.
Critiques and Realities of Poverty
- The culture of poverty concept suggests that poverty behaviors are passed down through generations.
- Criticism of culture poverty highlights that only a small fraction of the poor are chronically impoverished, with many able-bodied individuals engaged in the workforce.
Key Studies and Arguments
- Thomas Shapiro's "The Hidden Cost" illustrates the racial wealth gap through comparative life stories.
- Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickeled and Dimed" critiques welfare reforms and their effects on helping poor individuals re-enter the workforce.
Media and Sociocultural Influence
- "Mickey Mouse Monopoly" critiques Disney for perpetuating harmful gender roles.
- "Race the Power of an Illusion" argues against the biological concepts of race, linking race to socio-political constructs.
- "Where There is a Will...There Will Be a Living Wage" portrays struggles faced by individuals earning minimum wage.
Privilege and Identity
- "Mirrors of Privilege" discusses the institutionalization of privilege and the reluctance of privileged individuals to acknowledge their advantages.
- "A Girl Like Me" reveals the internalized racial biases of young African American girls through doll studies, showcasing early perceptions of beauty and worth.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 7 of Sociology. This quiz covers important terms such as social inequality, social stratification, and caste society. Use these flashcards to reinforce your understanding of social structures and hierarchies.