Sociology Class System Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is social stratification?

a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy

What does caste refer to?

ascribed stratification

What does class refer to?

achieved stratification

What two things does stratification involve?

unequal treatment, beliefs about people Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of stratification? (Select all that apply)

An enduring trait of society Signup and view all the answers

Is gender a means of stratification?

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for wealth?

assets - debt Signup and view all the answers

What do we think allows for mobility?

individualism Signup and view all the answers

What actually allows for mobility?

father's education and employment Signup and view all the answers

What is prejudice?

a rigid generalization about an entire category of people; can be positive or negative (attitude) Signup and view all the answers

One problem of prejudice is that it creates a __ _.

cognitive anchor Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals learn prejudiced ideas?

through childhood from parents and other significant figures Signup and view all the answers

What are stereotypes?

an exaggerated description applied to every person in some category (image) Signup and view all the answers

What does the dominant group do regarding stereotypes?

externalizes stereotypes (impose their stereotype upon other groups) Signup and view all the answers

What does the minority group do regarding stereotypes?

internalizes stereotypes (accept imposed stereotypes) Signup and view all the answers

What two dimensions determine stereotypes?

competence and warmth Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination?

treating various categories of people unequally (behavior/action) Signup and view all the answers

____________________ drives discriminatory behavior.

prejudice Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of prejudice?

individual, social, institutional Signup and view all the answers

What is social prejudice?

homogenous primary relationships by race or class/status Signup and view all the answers

What reinforces social discrimination?

homogenous marriages Signup and view all the answers

What is institutional prejudice?

unequal treatment of subordinate groups in society's main institutions Signup and view all the answers

Exclusion from neighborhoods, clubs, church, social groups, etc are examples of ________________ prejudice.

institutional Signup and view all the answers

Excluding individuals/groups from one's circle of relationships based on racial/gender/class prejudice and/or stereotype are examples of _______________ prejudice.

social Signup and view all the answers

What does avoidance refer to, according to Parrillo?

the behavior exhibited by immigrants Signup and view all the answers

According to Parrillo, from the perspective of the dominant group, the formation of an immigrant minority communication away from the dominant group is viewed as _________________.

clannishness Signup and view all the answers

What is the dominant group?

group with the most power Signup and view all the answers

What is a minority group?

any category of people, distinguished by physical or cultural difference that society sets apart and subordinates Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social stratification ranks categories of people hierarchically within a society.
It consists of two types: caste (ascribed stratification) and class (achieved stratification).

Characteristics of Stratification

A persistent and enduring trait of society that spans multiple generations.
It exists universally across societies but varies in its specific characteristics.
Groupings created through stratification identify notions of superiority and inferiority, leading to unequal treatment.

Influences on Mobility

Gender serves as a means of stratification, affecting social status and access to opportunities.
Wealth, calculated as assets minus debt, plays a critical role in social mobility.
Increased income facilitates asset acquisition and helps reduce debt.

Perceptions of Mobility

Individualism is often viewed as a pathway to social mobility, suggesting personal effort can change one's status.
However, factors such as a parent's education and employment are significant determinants of actual mobility.

Prejudice and Stereotypes

Prejudice constitutes rigid generalizations about categories of people, which can be positive or negative.
Stereotypes are exaggerated descriptions assigned to all individuals within a category, shaping public perception.
Prejudice creates cognitive anchors, limiting openness to diverse perspectives and reinforcing stereotypes.

Types of Prejudice

Three types of prejudice: individual, social, and institutional.
Social prejudice manifests as homogenous primary relationships based on race, class, or status.
Institutional prejudice involves unequal treatment of subordinate groups within major societal institutions.

Impacts of Prejudice

Dominant groups externalize stereotypes, imposing their views on other groups, while minority groups may internalize these imposed stereotypes.
Examples of institutional prejudice include exclusion from neighborhoods, clubs, and various social groups.
Social prejudice leads to the exclusion of individuals from circles based on racial, gender, or class biases.

Avoidance occurs when immigrants or minority groups are marginalized or choose to distance themselves from dominant societal norms.
Clannishness refers to the dominant group's perception of an immigrant minority forming closed communication groups away from them.

Group Definitions

The dominant group holds the most power within society, influencing norms and expectations.
Minority groups identify as any category of people distinguishable by physical or cultural differences, which society views as inferior or subordinates.

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Description

Test your knowledge on social stratification with these flashcards. Each card highlights key concepts and definitions related to class systems in sociology, including terms like caste and class. Perfect for students studying sociology and wanting to understand the hierarchy within societies.