Sociology Chapter 9 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Which factor is considered when evaluating someone's standard of living?

Income

Employment

Class

All of the above (correct)

What is particularly unique about the United States' middle class?

It is broken into two subcategories: upper middle class and lower middle class.

Which historical event was greatly responsible for global stratification as we see it today?

The Industrial Revolution

What is the most significant threat to the relatively high standard of living people are accustomed to in the United States?

The decline of the middle class Signup and view all the answers

How is a sociologist supposed to determine whether their subjects are in the upper class or the upper-middle class?

Upper class is often defined as having control over one's own life and the lives of the people around you, while the upper-middle class is often defined as having control only over one's own life. Signup and view all the answers

What seems to be the key to upward social mobility?

How much education you have Signup and view all the answers

What does the Davis-Moore thesis state?

That the more society values a particular profession, the more the people in that profession will make. Signup and view all the answers

Whose work do conflict theorists rely on to help form their arguments surrounding social stratification?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion have symbolic interactionists come to regarding socialization?

Most people only socialize with other people in their same social class. Signup and view all the answers

What is one main issue in studying global social inequality?

Social inequality is relative and therefore difficult to compare across cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What is social stratification?

A society's categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power. Signup and view all the answers

In most societies, what determines stratification?

Wealth and income Signup and view all the answers

What is a caste system?

A closed social structure where people are born into their social standing and will remain in it their whole lives. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a class system from a caste system?

A class system is based on both social factors and individual achievement. Signup and view all the answers

What does exogamous marriages mean?

Unions of spouses from different social categories. Signup and view all the answers

What is a meritocracy?

An ideal system based on the belief that social stratification is the result of personal effort. Signup and view all the answers

What is social consistency?

The consistency, or lack thereof, of an individual's rank across factors such as income, education, and occupation. Signup and view all the answers

What defines standard of living?

The level of wealth available to a certain socioeconomic class in order to acquire the material necessities and comforts to maintain its lifestyle. Signup and view all the answers

What is relative poverty?

Not having the means to live the lifestyle of the average person in your country. Signup and view all the answers

What is absolute poverty?

Deprivation so severe it puts survival in jeopardy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the subdivisions of the upper class?

Upper income and lower upper income. Signup and view all the answers

What are the subdivisions of the middle class?

Upper middle income and middle income. Signup and view all the answers

What are the subdivisions of the lower class?

Working class, upper lower class, and lower class. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'old money'?

Wealth that has been passed down for generations. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'new money'?

Wealth that someone earned themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is social mobility?

The ability to change positions within a social stratification system. Signup and view all the answers

What is intragenerational mobility?

Mobility within a person's lifetime. Signup and view all the answers

What is intergenerational mobility?

Mobility as compared to a parent or child. Signup and view all the answers

What is structural mobility?

Societal changes enable a whole group of people to move up or down the social class ladder. Signup and view all the answers

What are class traits?

Typical behaviors, customs, and norms that define each class. Signup and view all the answers

What is global stratification?

Comparing the wealth, economic stability, status, and power of countries across the world. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Davis-Moore thesis argue?

That the greater the functional importance of a social role, the greater must be the reward. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Standard of living is evaluated based on income, employment, and social class.
The middle class in the United States is divided into upper middle class and lower middle class.

Historical Context

The Industrial Revolution was a significant event that shaped global stratification.

Current Challenges

The decline of the middle class poses the biggest threat to the American standard of living.
Sociologists define upper class by the control over one's own life and influence over others, while upper-middle class is based on personal control only.

Education is a key factor for upward social mobility, although not guaranteed.
Intragenerational mobility refers to changes within an individual’s lifetime, while intergenerational mobility compares changes across generations.

Theoretical Perspectives

The Davis-Moore thesis suggests that the societal value of a profession correlates with the levels of compensation.
Conflict theorists, like Karl Marx, provide a critical framework for understanding social stratification dynamics.
Symbolic interactionists observe that socialization typically occurs within the same social class.

Social stratification categorizes people into rankings based on wealth, income, race, education, and power.
Wealth and income are primary determinants of stratification in most societies.

Systems of Stratification

Caste systems are closed; social standing is assigned at birth with limited mobility.
Class systems are open; based on social factors and personal achievements, allowing for potential upward mobility through marriage and effort.

Types of Poverty

Relative poverty involves lacking the means to live a lifestyle akin to the average citizen of a country.
Absolute poverty reflects extreme deprivation that threatens survival.

Class Divisions

Upper class is subdivided into upper income and lower upper income.
Middle class is divided into upper middle income and middle income.
Lower class includes working class, upper lower class, and lower class.

Wealth Types

Old money refers to inherited wealth accompanied by learned upper-class customs.
New money is wealth acquired through personal effort rather than inheritance.

Mobility and Class Traits

Social mobility is the ability to change social positions, with potential for upward or downward movement.
Structural mobility occurs when societal changes facilitate widespread shifts in social class.
Class traits reflect the behaviors, customs, and norms characteristic of each social class.

Global Stratification

Global stratification compares countries based on wealth, economic stability, status, and power, highlighting global inequality patterns.

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Description

Review key concepts from Sociology Chapter 9 with these flashcards. Explore factors influencing standard of living, the unique structure of the United States' middle class, and the historical events that shaped global stratification. Perfect for test preparation or reinforcing your understanding of social dynamics.