Sociology Chapter 8 - Social Stratification

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of social stratification?

A measure of individual differences.

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. (correct)

A method of poverty classification.

An unfair economic structure.

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?

It carries over from generation to generation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the third principle of stratification imply?

It's universal but variable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fourth principle of stratification?

It involves inequality and beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is social mobility?

A change in position within the social hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a caste system?

Social stratification based on ascription or birth. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a class system?

Social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement. Signup and view all the answers

What is a meritocracy?

Social stratification based on personal merit or achievement. Signup and view all the answers

What does status consistency mean?

The degree of consistency in a person's social standing across various dimensions of social inequality. Signup and view all the answers

What is structural social mobility?

A shift in the social position of large numbers of people due to more changes in society than individual efforts. Signup and view all the answers

What are ideologies in the context of social stratification?

Cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements, including patterns of inequality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Davis-Moore thesis?

Social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leader of class conflict theories in sociology?

Karl Marx. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Capitalists = People who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits. Proletarians = Working people who sell their labor for wages. Alienation = The experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness. Signup and view all the answers

What are blue-collar occupations?

Lower-prestige jobs that involve mostly manual labor. Signup and view all the answers

What defines white-collar occupations?

Higher-prestige jobs that involve mostly mental activity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of absolute poverty?

A deprivation of resources that is life-threatening. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term feminization of poverty refer to?

The trend of women making up an increasing proportion of the poor. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the U.S. poor are children under 18?

19% Signup and view all the answers

What is upward social mobility?

Moving up in class level. Signup and view all the answers

What is horizontal social mobility?

Changing jobs at the same class level. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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.

Shift in social position affecting large groups due to societal changes rather than individual actions.

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.

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.

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.

Disparities exist in educational opportunities; educational attainment influences occupation and income.

Birth into a specific family has a profound impact on one's social standing, affecting education and career prospects.

Race is closely linked to social standing; disparities exist among different racial groups.

Women's income and occupational prestige are generally lower than men’s; single-parent households led by women face increased poverty risks.

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.

Max Weber noted that social standing affects health, values, politics, and family dynamics.

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.

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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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.