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A condition in which members of a society have different amounts of wealth, prestige, or power is called:
A condition in which members of a society have different amounts of wealth, prestige, or power is called:
Thorstein Veblen suggested persons at the top of the social hierarchy convert wealth into conspicuous consumption, while the behavior of the lower classes is often subjected to ridicule. Veblen's views are from the:
Thorstein Veblen suggested persons at the top of the social hierarchy convert wealth into conspicuous consumption, while the behavior of the lower classes is often subjected to ridicule. Veblen's views are from the:
A stratification system that implies that the position of each individual is influenced by the person's achieved status is referred to as a(n):
A stratification system that implies that the position of each individual is influenced by the person's achieved status is referred to as a(n):
Sociologists have documented that the class system is more rigid for:
Sociologists have documented that the class system is more rigid for:
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The objective method of assessing social class assigns individuals to classes on the basis of:
The objective method of assessing social class assigns individuals to classes on the basis of:
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The long-term poor who lack training and skills are referred to as:
The long-term poor who lack training and skills are referred to as:
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Which of the following refers to a floating standard of deprivation by which people at the bottom of a society are judged to be disadvantaged in comparison to the nation as a whole?
Which of the following refers to a floating standard of deprivation by which people at the bottom of a society are judged to be disadvantaged in comparison to the nation as a whole?
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In Karl Marx's view, social relations during any period of history depend on who controls the:
In Karl Marx's view, social relations during any period of history depend on who controls the:
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A class system employs a social ranking based primarily on:
A class system employs a social ranking based primarily on:
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Which sociologist first made the distinction between vertical and horizontal mobility?
Which sociologist first made the distinction between vertical and horizontal mobility?
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Max Weber uses the term class to refer to people who share a similar level of:
Max Weber uses the term class to refer to people who share a similar level of:
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Which of the following terms is used by sociologists for a structured ranking of groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in society?
Which of the following terms is used by sociologists for a structured ranking of groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in society?
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Some analysts suggest that inner-city riots have frequently occurred when poor people realize that their chances of climbing out of poverty are unlikely because of the structure of our social system. Their frustration is based on their perception that they are living in a(n):
Some analysts suggest that inner-city riots have frequently occurred when poor people realize that their chances of climbing out of poverty are unlikely because of the structure of our social system. Their frustration is based on their perception that they are living in a(n):
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A woman is born into a homeless, single-parent family. She is very talented, and as an adult she becomes a wealthy, world-acclaimed pianist. This scenario most closely represents which type of stratification system?
A woman is born into a homeless, single-parent family. She is very talented, and as an adult she becomes a wealthy, world-acclaimed pianist. This scenario most closely represents which type of stratification system?
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In sociologist Daniel Rossides's model of the class system of the U.S., which social class contains the smallest portion of the population?
In sociologist Daniel Rossides's model of the class system of the U.S., which social class contains the smallest portion of the population?
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Some sociologists have suggested that in the southern U.S. in the pre-civil rights era, an African American individual was born into a status that would always be subordinate to the status of all of the White members of the community. This is an example of a(n):
Some sociologists have suggested that in the southern U.S. in the pre-civil rights era, an African American individual was born into a status that would always be subordinate to the status of all of the White members of the community. This is an example of a(n):
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Which of the following social classes is declining in size?
Which of the following social classes is declining in size?
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Which of the following terms did Karl Marx use to refer to an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect the class's objective position?
Which of the following terms did Karl Marx use to refer to an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect the class's objective position?
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The commonly used 'poverty line' measure of poverty used by the federal government measures which type of poverty?
The commonly used 'poverty line' measure of poverty used by the federal government measures which type of poverty?
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Which of these factors affects whether a person becomes poor?
Which of these factors affects whether a person becomes poor?
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Which of the following statements about slavery is true?
Which of the following statements about slavery is true?
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A woman who was born and raised in a poor family becomes a regional supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service. She has experienced:
A woman who was born and raised in a poor family becomes a regional supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service. She has experienced:
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A system of enforced servitude in which people are legally owned by others is known as:
A system of enforced servitude in which people are legally owned by others is known as:
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A measure of social class that is based on income, education, and occupation is known as:
A measure of social class that is based on income, education, and occupation is known as:
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A single mother who works in a factory sewing large sheets of canvas would be considered:
A single mother who works in a factory sewing large sheets of canvas would be considered:
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Which sociological perspective would be most likely to argue that most talented people would not go to school for many years to become biochemists if they could make as much money and gain as much respect working as elevator operators?
Which sociological perspective would be most likely to argue that most talented people would not go to school for many years to become biochemists if they could make as much money and gain as much respect working as elevator operators?
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In Karl Marx's view, a worker who identifies with the wealthy and believes that she can achieve great wealth through hard work is likely to have developed a:
In Karl Marx's view, a worker who identifies with the wealthy and believes that she can achieve great wealth through hard work is likely to have developed a:
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Which sociological perspective suggests that the higher rates of poverty among single mothers are due to the difficulty women have finding affordable child care, to sexual harassment, and to sex discrimination in the labor market?
Which sociological perspective suggests that the higher rates of poverty among single mothers are due to the difficulty women have finding affordable child care, to sexual harassment, and to sex discrimination in the labor market?
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Less affluent professionals, such as elementary school teachers, are included in which of the following social classes?
Less affluent professionals, such as elementary school teachers, are included in which of the following social classes?
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An 83-year-old woman is placed at a small table in a dark corner of a trendy nightclub and is ignored by the staff. Her shoddy treatment is probably due to her age, which is a(n) ________ status.
An 83-year-old woman is placed at a small table in a dark corner of a trendy nightclub and is ignored by the staff. Her shoddy treatment is probably due to her age, which is a(n) ________ status.
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Higher loan balances are typically held by:
Higher loan balances are typically held by:
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Karl Marx used the term proletariat to refer to the:
Karl Marx used the term proletariat to refer to the:
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An inner-city youth spends many hours in the neighborhood playground shooting baskets on the basketball court and engaging in every game that he can play. His skills become outstanding, and he receives a college scholarship and then signs a lucrative contract to play in the National Basketball Association. This is an example of:
An inner-city youth spends many hours in the neighborhood playground shooting baskets on the basketball court and engaging in every game that he can play. His skills become outstanding, and he receives a college scholarship and then signs a lucrative contract to play in the National Basketball Association. This is an example of:
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The fact that an unemployed coal miner in Appalachia has a higher standard of living than a doctor in Congo illustrates the idea that:
The fact that an unemployed coal miner in Appalachia has a higher standard of living than a doctor in Congo illustrates the idea that:
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Max Weber defined ________ as the ability to exercise one's will over others.
Max Weber defined ________ as the ability to exercise one's will over others.
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An ascribed status is a social position:
An ascribed status is a social position:
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Which of the following factors have contributed to the shrinking size of the middle class?
Which of the following factors have contributed to the shrinking size of the middle class?
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Which level of college degree serves as less of a guarantee of upward mobility today than it did in the past?
Which level of college degree serves as less of a guarantee of upward mobility today than it did in the past?
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Capitalism is an economic system in which:
Capitalism is an economic system in which:
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________ is often blamed for this growing inequality, because it has forced less skilled workers to compete with lower-paid foreign-born workers.
________ is often blamed for this growing inequality, because it has forced less skilled workers to compete with lower-paid foreign-born workers.
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The owner of a major league baseball team can fire employees for not winning a pennant, have the city build him a new ballpark, and prevent organizations that compete against his own team from airing advertisements during the team's televised games. In Max Weber's view, this owner would most likely be considered as having:
The owner of a major league baseball team can fire employees for not winning a pennant, have the city build him a new ballpark, and prevent organizations that compete against his own team from airing advertisements during the team's televised games. In Max Weber's view, this owner would most likely be considered as having:
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Which of the following refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one position of society's stratification system to another?
Which of the following refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one position of society's stratification system to another?
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Study Notes
Social Inequality and Stratification
- Social inequality refers to disparities in wealth, prestige, or power among members of society.
- A stratification system based on achieved status is known as an open stratification system.
- The class system in the U.S. tends to be more rigid for African Americans compared to other racial groups.
Definitions of Poverty
- Absolute poverty is a floating standard of deprivation where individuals are judged as disadvantaged relative to the entire nation.
- Relative poverty measures individuals against societal standards, contrasting general societal wealth and status.
Sociological Perspectives on Class
- Conflict perspective emphasizes inequalities and struggles among social classes.
- Interactionist perspective focuses on daily interactions and relationships which results in the reinforcement of class structures.
- Max Weber's view on social relations highlights the significant influence of the economic production mode on society.
Class Structures and Mobility
- A class system is primarily based on economic position, impacting individual social ranking.
- There are distinctions between vertical mobility (upward/downward movement) and horizontal mobility (movement within the same level).
- A closed stratification system signifies that individuals’ societal positions are largely predetermined.
Historical Contexts of Inequality
- The caste system enforces rigid social orders with no opportunity for movement between classes.
- In pre-civil rights America, African Americans experienced systemic subordination reflective of caste-like conditions.
Factors Influencing Poverty
- Several factors, including mental health and age, impact individual poverty levels.
- The poverty line is an essential federal measure used to identify individuals living in absolute poverty.
- Among women, understanding their poverty often involves examining barriers like child care access and labor market discrimination.
Educational Impacts on Class
- Economic growth and technological advancements have contributed to the contraction of the middle class.
- Attaining specific academic degrees today may not guarantee upward mobility as it once did, particularly for B.A./B.S. degrees.
Capitalism and Globalization
- Capitalism is an economic system where production means are privately owned, focusing on profit accumulation.
- Globalization has led to increased inequality, creating competition between less skilled domestic workers and lower-paid foreign workers.
Power Dynamics in Society
- Max Weber associates power with the ability to influence or command respect within social structures.
- Social mobility is defined as the ability of individuals or groups to move within societal stratification systems, affecting life chances.
Class Consciousness
- False consciousness describes a misperception where individuals in the working class identify with the interests of the capitalist class instead of their own.
Summary of Key Terms
- Underclass refers to the long-term poor lacking skills and training.
- Socioeconomic Status (SES) measures an individual's social class based on income, education, and occupation.
- Slavery is identified as the most extreme form of social inequality, characterized by enforced servitude.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards on key concepts from Chapter 8 of sociology. Covering terms like social inequality and conspicuous consumption, these cards will help reinforce your understanding. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their grasp of sociological theories.
