Questions and Answers
What is the definition of social stratification?
The ______ is a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy.
social stratification
What is the first principle of stratification?
It's a trait of society, not a reflection of individual differences.
What does the second principle of stratification state?
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What does the third principle of stratification imply?
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What is the fourth principle of stratification?
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What is social mobility?
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What characterizes a caste system?
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What defines a class system?
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What is a meritocracy?
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What does status consistency mean?
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What is structural social mobility?
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What are ideologies in the context of social stratification?
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What is the Davis-Moore thesis?
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Who was the leader of class conflict theories in sociology?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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What are blue-collar occupations?
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What defines white-collar occupations?
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What is the definition of absolute poverty?
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What does the term feminization of poverty refer to?
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What percentage of the U.S. poor are children under 18?
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What is upward social mobility?
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What is horizontal social mobility?
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Study Notes
Social Stratification
- A hierarchical system that ranks categories of people within a society.
- Involves categories like Good, Better, Best.
Four Principles of Stratification
- Social stratification is a societal trait, not individual differences.
- Carries over generations; individuals typically remain in the same social position as their parents.
- Universal but variable; distance between individuals varies but the concept exists globally.
- Involves inequality and belief; societies view stratification as fair.
Social Mobility
- Refers to changes in position within the social hierarchy.
- Can be upward, downward, or horizontal.
Caste System vs. Class System
- Caste System: Closed system, mostly ascribed status with little mobility (e.g., royalty vs. peasants).
- Class System: Open system, combines ascription and achievement, allows for social mobility (e.g., attending college despite family background).
Meritocracy
- A theoretical system of social stratification based on personal merit but does not exist in practice.
Status Consistency
- Measures consistency in social standing across various dimensions; low consistency indicates difficulty in defining classes.
Structural Social Mobility
- Shift in social position affecting large groups due to societal changes rather than individual actions.
Ideology and Social Stratification
- Cultural beliefs justifying social arrangements, including inequality, can evolve with economic and technological changes.
Structural Functional Approach
- Views social stratification as vital for society's functioning.
Davis-Moore Thesis
- Argues that stratification has beneficial consequences; positions requiring more skill receive greater rewards.
Social-Conflict Approach
- Claims stratification advantages certain groups, rooted in class conflict, as described by Karl Marx.
Class Conflict Theories
- Karl Marx highlighted social stratification based on people's relationship to production means, emphasizing capitalists vs. proletarians.
Concepts of Capitalists and Proletarians
- Capitalists own production means, seeking profit.
- Proletarians sell labor for wages.
Alienation
- Experience of isolation stemming from powerlessness, leading to potential uprisings against capitalist structures.
Ralf Dahrendorf's Views on No Marxist Revolution
- Fragmentation of capitalism, increased living standards, worker organizations, and legal protections contribute to stability.
Max Weber's Dimensions of Stratification
- Class position (economic), status (social prestige), and power are key components.
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
- Composite ranking based on class, status, and power dimensions.
Micro-Level Analysis
- Social standing impacts daily interactions; individuals maintain distance based on different status levels.
Inequality in the United States
- Distinct from European nations regarding noble titles, highly stratified despite lacking a caste system.
U.S. Income and Wealth Distribution
- Wealthiest 20% earn 47.8% of all income; they also hold 85% of total wealth.
- Bottom 20% earns less than $28,000 yearly, receiving only 4% of total income.
Social Class Employment Types
- Blue-collar occupations involve manual labor, while white-collar jobs focus on mental activity.
Income vs. Wealth
- Income is earnings from work/investments; wealth is total value of assets minus debts, typically more unequally distributed.
Power Dynamics
- Wealth serves as a significant source of power; a small percentage controls most societal wealth.
Occupational Prestige
- High prestige associated with occupations requiring extensive education and yielding high income.
Education and Social Status
- Disparities exist in educational opportunities; educational attainment influences occupation and income.
Ancestry and Social Standing
- Birth into a specific family has a profound impact on one's social standing, affecting education and career prospects.
Race and Social Position
- Race is closely linked to social standing; disparities exist among different racial groups.
Gender and Social Standing
- Women's income and occupational prestige are generally lower than men’s; single-parent households led by women face increased poverty risks.
Social Class Breakdown
- Upper Class: Top 5%, often with inherited wealth.
- Upper Upper Class: Less than 1% with old money.
- Lower Upper Class: New money, 3-4% of the population.
- Middle Class: 40-45% of the population, increasingly diverse.
- Working Class: 1/3 of the population, often seeking job stability.
- Lower Class: 20% classified as poor; many families struggle with basic needs.
Life Chances and Social Standing
- Max Weber noted that social standing affects health, values, politics, and family dynamics.
Social Mobility Types
- Upward mobility: Ascending class.
- Downward mobility: Descending class.
- Horizontal mobility: Changing jobs within the same class.
- Intragenerational: Changes occurring within a person’s lifetime.
- Intergenerational: Mobility of children relative to parents.
General Conclusions on Social Mobility
- High over the past century; an upward long-term trend, but minimal within a generation and uneven since the 1970s.
Mobility Influences: Race and Ethnicity
- Privileged white positions persist; while more African-Americans accumulated wealth in recent decades, overall income levels remain stagnant.
Mobility Influences: Gender
- Women face systemic job-related barriers; their earnings gap with men is gradually decreasing.
Mobility Influences: Marriage
- Marriage significantly impacts financial standing; dual incomes lead to enhanced wealth compared to single individuals.
Mobility Influences: Divorce
- Divorce adversely affects social standing, leading to financial strain on households.
Demographics of Poverty
- Children constitute 19% of the U.S. poor; disproportionate rates among racial minorities.
Poverty Perception
- Debate exists about attributing blame for poverty to individuals or societal structures.
Relative vs. Absolute Poverty
- Relative poverty denotes deprivation in comparison to others; absolute poverty indicates life-threatening resource deprivation.
Feminization of Poverty
- Growing trend of women comprising an increasing share of the impoverished population.
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Description
Test your knowledge on social stratification with this flashcard quiz from Sociology Chapter 8. Explore the key concepts and principles that define how societies rank individuals and groups within a hierarchy. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this essential sociological topic.