Podcast
Questions and Answers
Elisa graduated from college with a double major and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society. This form of promotion is based on the principles of:
Elisa graduated from college with a double major and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society. This form of promotion is based on the principles of:
- A democracy
- A closed stratification system
- A caste system
- A meritocracy (correct)
Mohit is an example of someone living under:
Mohit is an example of someone living under:
- An oligarchy
- A dictatorship
- A meritocracy
- A caste system (correct)
Oli and his bride will have a(n) _______ marriage.
Oli and his bride will have a(n) _______ marriage.
endogamous
They will have a(n) __________ wedding.
They will have a(n) __________ wedding.
Which factor is considered when evaluating someone's standard of living?
Which factor is considered when evaluating someone's standard of living?
How much of the United States wealth rests in the hands of the wealthiest 1% of people?
How much of the United States wealth rests in the hands of the wealthiest 1% of people?
Charlotte becomes CEO of the company by age 50. What type of mobility is shown in this story?
Charlotte becomes CEO of the company by age 50. What type of mobility is shown in this story?
What is particularly unique about the United States middle class?
What is particularly unique about the United States middle class?
Which historical event was greatly responsible for global stratification?
Which historical event was greatly responsible for global stratification?
What is the most significant threat to the relatively high standards of living in the United States?
What is the most significant threat to the relatively high standards of living in the United States?
GNI PPP helps measure:
GNI PPP helps measure:
For many people, it was a time of ________.
For many people, it was a time of ________.
Since the social classes in the United States do not have any clear boundaries, a sociologist should determine whether their subjects are in the upper class or the upper-middle class by:
Since the social classes in the United States do not have any clear boundaries, a sociologist should determine whether their subjects are in the upper class or the upper-middle class by:
What seems to be the key to upward social mobility?
What seems to be the key to upward social mobility?
A person's position in a country's social stratification is determined by:
A person's position in a country's social stratification is determined by:
The Davis-Moore Thesis states:
The Davis-Moore Thesis states:
Whose work do conflict theorists rely on to help form their arguments surrounding social stratification?
Whose work do conflict theorists rely on to help form their arguments surrounding social stratification?
Hope's purchasing is called:
Hope's purchasing is called:
Symbolic interactionists have concluded that:
Symbolic interactionists have concluded that:
One main issue in studying global social inequality is:
One main issue in studying global social inequality is:
What factor makes caste systems closed?
What factor makes caste systems closed?
What factor makes class systems open?
What factor makes class systems open?
Which of these systems allow for the most mobility?
Which of these systems allow for the most mobility?
Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?
Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?
Which statement illustrates low status consistency?
Which statement illustrates low status consistency?
Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:
Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:
In the United States, most people define themselves as:
In the United States, most people define themselves as:
Structural mobility occurs when:
Structural mobility occurs when:
The behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a class are known as:
The behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a class are known as:
Which of the following is an example of intragenerational mobility?
Which of the following is an example of intragenerational mobility?
Occupational prestige means that jobs are:
Occupational prestige means that jobs are:
Social stratification is a system that:
Social stratification is a system that:
Which concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?
Which concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?
The GNI PPP figure represents:
The GNI PPP figure represents:
The basic premise for the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:
The basic premise for the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:
Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because social stratification, some qualified people were ________ higher-level job positions.
Unlike Davis and Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because social stratification, some qualified people were ________ higher-level job positions.
Which statement represents social stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?
Which statement represents social stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?
When Karl Marx said that workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:
When Karl Marx said that workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:
Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:
Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:
Which of the following is an example of primogeniture?
Which of the following is an example of primogeniture?
Which of the following is an example of an endogamous marriage?
Which of the following is an example of an endogamous marriage?
In exogamous marriages, the spouses share the same class background.
In exogamous marriages, the spouses share the same class background.
Davis and Moore argued that a certain level of social stratification is a necessity.
Davis and Moore argued that a certain level of social stratification is a necessity.
Intergenerational mobility is a difference in social class between different members of the same generation.
Intergenerational mobility is a difference in social class between different members of the same generation.
Intragenerational mobility is a difference in social class between generations of a family.
Intragenerational mobility is a difference in social class between generations of a family.
In a meritocracy, the status of one's parents determines one's own status to a great extent.
In a meritocracy, the status of one's parents determines one's own status to a great extent.
In a class system, people are born into a social standing that they will retain for their entire lives.
In a class system, people are born into a social standing that they will retain for their entire lives.
In a caste system, people achieve higher status through higher education.
In a caste system, people achieve higher status through higher education.
Conspicuous consumption involves eating very loudly in public places and drawing attention to oneself.
Conspicuous consumption involves eating very loudly in public places and drawing attention to oneself.
Which of the following is not an author cited in the textbook who wrote 19th century 'social problems' novels?
Which of the following is not an author cited in the textbook who wrote 19th century 'social problems' novels?
Study Notes
Social Stratification and Mobility
- Meritocracy rewards individuals based on ability and achievement, exemplified by Elisa's career advancements.
- Caste systems are closed, meaning individuals like Mohit are unable to change their social status.
- Endogamous marriages are between individuals of the same social class, while exogamous marriages are between different classes, as seen with Cate and Harry.
Economic Indicators
- Standard of living assessments consider income, employment, and class collectively.
- The wealth distribution in the U.S. shows that the wealthiest 1% hold approximately 1/3 of the nation's wealth.
- GNI PPP measures a country's average income by considering purchasing power.
Class Structures and Their Implications
- The middle class in the U.S. is divided into upper and lower subcategories, highlighting its complexity.
- The Industrial Revolution significantly restructured global social stratification.
- Decline of the middle class is identified as a major threat to the standard of living in the U.S.
Social Mobility Types
- Intragenerational mobility refers to changes in social status within an individual's lifetime, illustrated by Charlotte’s rise to CEO.
- Structural mobility involves large groups moving up or down the social ladder due to societal changes.
- Higher education plays a crucial role in upward social mobility, emphasizing the importance of academic achievement.
Class Traits and Occupational Prestige
- Class traits encompass the behaviors and customs associated with a particular social class.
- Occupational prestige varies, with certain jobs being more highly valued than others, influencing societal perceptions and rewards.
Social Stratification Theories
- The Davis-Moore Thesis argues that social stratification serves societal purposes by ensuring that important roles are filled by those who are most qualified.
- Conflict theorists, such as Karl Marx, argue that societal structures favor capitalists while keeping workers in poverty.
Consumption and Social Interactions
- Conspicuous consumption describes buying luxury goods to display wealth and status, evident in Hope's designer purse purchase.
- Social interactions are often limited to one's own class, reflecting shared norms and values within social groups.
Global Inequality Challenges
- Social inequality poses challenges for global comparison, as the relativity of status varies across cultures.
- Class systems are more flexible compared to caste systems, allowing greater social mobility.
Cultural and Legal Perspectives
- Primogeniture refers to the inheritance of the family estate by the eldest child, typically reinforcing class structures.
- Understanding marriage types can reveal social class dynamics; endogamous couples share class backgrounds, unlike exogamous ones.
Misconceptions and Clarifications
- Statements about class mobility, social stratification, and economic systems often reveal common misconceptions, such as the belief that caste systems allow for upward mobility through education.
Conclusion
- Social stratification reflects complex interrelations between class, occupation, wealth, and education, shaping individual opportunities and societal structures.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Sociology Chapter 9. This set covers key concepts related to social stratification and meritocracy. Assess your understanding of various social systems through engaging questions and examples.
