Sociology Chapter 8 Flashcards

Social Stratification

• Refers to the structured inequalities in access to rewards and resources among groups.
• Class divisions are the most notable form of stratification in modern societies.
• Inequalities became pronounced with the emergence of state-based systems.

Structured Inequalities

• Result from established patterns within the social structure of a society.

Slavery

• A type of social stratification where individuals are considered property of others.

Caste System

• A social order where one's social status is fixed for life, often determined by birth.

Class Systems

• Allow for mobility between social classes.
• Bases for class distinction include wealth ownership, occupation, income, and education.

Concept of Class

• Commonly used in sociology but lacks a singular definition.
• Generally refers to socioeconomic variations reflecting material prosperity and power.

Income

• Refers to money received from employment (wages, salaries) or investments.

Wealth

• Comprises money and material possessions an individual or group owns.

Characteristics of Social Stratification

• Shared characteristics include wealth, income, education, and lifestyle.

Examples of Caste Systems

• Delit caste in the Indian subcontinent and Hindu belief system.

Class vs. Caste Systems

• Class systems allow for upward and downward mobility based on achievement, while caste systems are ascribed by birth.

Non-Economic Indicators of Social Class

• Occupation and education serve as significant indicators of an individual's social class.

Karl Marx's Perspective

• Means of production encompass technology and social relations among producers.
• Class relationships are exploitative, with workers generating surplus value for capitalists.

Max Weber's Perspective

• Class divisions arise from economic control as well as non-economic factors like skills.
• Status refers to the social honor accorded to particular groups, influencing lifestyles and behaviors.
• Pariah groups face negative status discrimination.

Erik Olin Wright's Theory

• Identifies three dimensions of economic resource control in capitalist societies:
  • Control over investments and capital.
  • Control over production means (e.g., land, factories).
  • Control over labor power.
• Contradictory class locations exist for individuals in routine white-collar and lower managerial positions.

Davis and Moore's Theory

• Suggests that incentives are necessary to motivate individuals in highly skilled professions.

Melvin Tumin's Critique

• Challenges the measurement of the importance of various roles in society and points out discrepancies in social rewards.

Lareau's Observations on Parenting

• Middle-class parents encourage structured extracurricular activities, while working-class parents tend to allow more free play.

Upper Class

• Consists of affluent individuals, often with inherited wealth and significant assets.

Middle Class

• Comprises individuals engaged in white-collar and lower managerial jobs.

Upper Middle Class

• Specifically includes highly educated professionals, generally distinguished by higher income levels.