Questions and Answers
Define social stratification.
A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy.
Define social inequality.
Patterns of unequal control over and distributions of a society's valued goods and resources.
Define intersectionality.
A perspective that we cannot study these social categories in isolation from one another.
What shapes our individual identity, social interaction, and everyday life?
Signup and view all the answers
What are race, class, gender, and sexuality looked at as?
Signup and view all the answers
What is every social situation affected by?
Signup and view all the answers
What are race, gender, sexuality, and social class upheld by?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the social categories have the ability to do?
Signup and view all the answers
Which social categories arose first and what are they used for?
Signup and view all the answers
Which social category developed later?
Signup and view all the answers
Which social category is most recent?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the historic origins of social class embedded in?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the classes' formation depend on?
Signup and view all the answers
Which perspective should we use to understand social class in inequality?
Signup and view all the answers
Historically, most societies were patriarchal.
Signup and view all the answers
What did men exploit for their benefit?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a dowry?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the history of race tied to?
Signup and view all the answers
What were key components to the development of Western economic ascendancy and expansion?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Social Concepts
- Social Stratification: Ranks categories of people hierarchically within society.
- Social Inequality: Reflects unequal control over and distribution of valued goods and resources in society.
- Intersectionality: Indicates that social categories should be studied in relation to each other, not in isolation.
Individual Identity Influencers
- Individual identity and social interactions are shaped by:
- Disability
- Race
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Social class
Systems of Oppression
- Race, class, gender, and sexuality are interconnected and regarded as systems of oppression.
Social Context
- Every social situation is influenced by existing patterns of social relationships.
Dominant Ideologies
- Systems of race, gender, sexuality, and social class are maintained by dominant ideologies that resist change.
Impact of Social Categories
- Social categories can:
- Provide opportunities or privileges.
- Create barriers and oppression.
Evolution of Social Categories
- Social class and gender were the earliest social categories used for societal organization.
- Race emerged later, while sexuality is the most recent social category.
Historical Context of Social Class
- The roots of social class are intertwined with aspects of gender and sexuality.
- Formation of classes historically depended on controlling women’s reproduction and limiting their economic power.
Perspectives on Social Class
- Analyzing social class in relation to inequality necessitates considering the experiences and influences of both men and women.
Societal Structures
- Historically, most societies have operated under patriarchal structures.
- Men have historically exploited women's reproductive capabilities for their own gain.
Dowries
- A dowry is a practice ensuring that marriages were transactions involving exchanges of goods and properties.
Race and Economic Interests
- The history of race is closely linked to social class interests and the subjugation of various labor groups.
Development of Economic Systems
- The development of Western economic dominance included the expansion of systems that enforced racial and gender-based domination.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your understanding of key concepts in sociology regarding social stratification, inequality, and intersectionality. This quiz covers definitions and explanations essential for studying how societies rank individuals and distribute resources. Explore how various social categories interact and shape individual experiences.