Sociology Final Exam Chapter 8

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Questions and Answers

What factor makes caste systems closed?

People cannot change their social standings.

What factor makes class systems open?

They allow for movement between the classes.

Which of these systems allows for the most social mobility?

Class

Which person best illustrates opportunities for upward social mobility in the United States?

First generation college student Signup and view all the answers

Which statement illustrates low status consistency?

A college dropout launches an online company that earns millions in its first year. Signup and view all the answers

Based on meritocracy, a physician's assistant would:

Earn a pay raise for doing excellent work. Signup and view all the answers

In the United States, most people define themselves as:

Middle class Signup and view all the answers

Structural mobility occurs when:

A large group moves up or down the class ladder due to societal changes. Signup and view all the answers

The behaviors, customs, and norms associated with a class are known as:

Class traits Signup and view all the answers

Which graphic concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?

Pyramid Signup and view all the answers

The GNI PPP figure represents:

The average annual income of a country's citizens. Signup and view all the answers

The basic premise of the Davis-Moore thesis is that the unequal distribution of rewards in social stratification:

Serves a purpose in society. Signup and view all the answers

Unlike Davis-Moore, Melvin Tumin believed that, because of social stratification, some qualified people were _________ higher-level job positions.

Denied the opportunity to obtain Signup and view all the answers

Which statement represents stratification from the perspective of symbolic interactionism?

After work, Pat, a janitor, feels more comfortable eating in a truck stop than a French restaurant. Signup and view all the answers

When Karl Marx said workers experience alienation, he meant that workers:

Do not feel connected to their work. Signup and view all the answers

Conflict theorists view capitalists as those who:

Get rich while workers stay poor. Signup and view all the answers

Examples of siblings taking on different lifestyles:

Michael worked and lived close to home; Lisa married a foreigner, moved away, and is very educated. Signup and view all the answers

Social stratification is a system that:

Ranks society members into categories. Signup and view all the answers

Wealth is defined as:

The net value of money and assets a person has. Signup and view all the answers

Income refers to:

A person's wages or investment dividends. Signup and view all the answers

Systems of stratification:

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Class systems are based on:

Both social factors and individual achievement. Signup and view all the answers

What are exogamous marriages?

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

What are endogamous marriages?

Marrying a partner from the same background. Signup and view all the answers

A meritocracy system is defined as:

Personal effort, or merit, determines social standing. Signup and view all the answers

What is status consistency?

The consistency, or lack thereof, of an individual's rank based on factors like income, education, and occupation. Signup and view all the answers

What is primogeniture?

A law stating that all property would be inherited to the first born son. Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard of living?

The level of wealth available to a certain socioeconomic class. Signup and view all the answers

What does the upper class represent?

Wealth and power. Signup and view all the answers

What does the middle class represent?

Upper and lower subcategories; live comfortable lifestyles. Signup and view all the answers

What does the lower class consist of?

Working class, the working poor, and the under class. Signup and view all the answers

What is social mobility?

Refers to the ability to change positions within a social stratification system. 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?

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

What do functionalists examine?

The purpose of high salaries. Signup and view all the answers

What do conflict theorists study?

The exorbitant salaries as an unfair distribution of money. Signup and view all the answers

What is functionalism?

Examines how society's parts operate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Davis-Moore thesis?

Argued that the greater the functional importance of a societal role, the greater must be the reward. Signup and view all the answers

What is symbolic interactionism?

Examines stratification from a micro level perspective. Signup and view all the answers

What is conspicuous consumption?

Buying certain products to make a social statement about status. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of human trafficking?

Prostitution Signup and view all the answers

What does false consciousness refer to?

People have been tricked into thinking they can't have an impact. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a caste system?

Indian caste system. Signup and view all the answers

What is prestige based on?

Respect, recognition, or regard. Signup and view all the answers

What is power?

The ability of individuals to achieve goals, control events, and maintain influence over others. Signup and view all the answers

What are life chances?

The extent to which people have positive experiences and can secure good things in life. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Caste and Class Systems

Caste systems are characterized by closed social standings, limiting individual mobility.
Class systems promote open social mobility, allowing movement between classes.
Class systems facilitate the highest levels of social mobility in society.

First-generation college students exemplify opportunities for upward mobility in America.
Low status consistency is illustrated by a college dropout who launches a successful company.
Meritocratic principles suggest that a physician's assistant earns pay raises for excellence.

The majority of Americans identify themselves as middle class.
Structural mobility refers to shifts within social class due to large-scale societal changes.
Class traits encompass behaviors, customs, and norms associated with specific social classes.

Generational and Occupational Mobility

Intergenerational mobility occurs when a child belongs to a different class than their parents.
Occupational prestige highlights the unequal valuation of different jobs within society.
Social stratification ranks members of society into categories based on wealth, income, race, education, and power.

Economic Metrics and Stratification Theories

The GNI PPP represents the average annual income of citizens in a country.
The Davis-Moore thesis argues that unequal distribution of rewards serves societal functions.
Melvin Tumin critiques the idea that stratification benefits everyone, asserting it denies opportunities to some skilled individuals.

Theoretical Perspectives

Symbolic interactionism examines how social standing influences everyday interactions.
Karl Marx described worker alienation as a disconnection between workers and their labor.
Conflict theorists assert that the capitalist class profits at the expense of the working class.

Family and Lifestyle Differences

Siblings can lead markedly different lifestyles influenced by their social class background.
Status consistency reflects the alignment (or misalignment) of an individual's rank from income, education, and occupation.

Classes in Society

Upper class indicates a high concentration of wealth and power.
Middle class consists of individuals with comfortable lifestyles, further divided into upper and lower subcategories.
Lower class includes the working poor and underclass, facing economic challenges.

Social mobility includes upward (gaining social class), downward (losing social class), and intergenerational mobility.
Structural mobility involves large groups moving up or down the societal ladder due to changes in society.

Marital Patterns

Exogamous marriages occur between partners from different social categories, whereas endogamous marriages occur within the same social background.

Wealth and Income Definitions

Wealth represents the net value of money and assets owned by individuals.
Income includes earnings from wages and investments.

Global Stratification

Global stratification compares wealth and power among countries, revealing social inequalities worldwide.
GNI PPP and GDP are critical measures used to evaluate a country's economic status.

Sociological Views

Functionalists highlight the societal roles of high salaries, while conflict theorists critique the fairness of these distributions.
Conspicuous consumption refers to purchasing items to signify social status.

Case Studies

Videos depict social challenges in Central Appalachia, showcasing aspirations despite systemic barriers, addiction issues, and community struggles.
Personal stories illustrate the realities of life in impoverished regions and the pursuit of education and stability.

Institutional Challenges

The glass ceiling represents barriers to women’s advancement in professional settings.
False consciousness refers to individuals being misled into believing they cannot effect change.

Cultural Perspective on Indian Caste System

The Indian caste system, outlawed in 1949, persists in social distinctions, outlining roles from Brahmins (priests) to Dalits (untouchables).

Prestige and Power Dynamics

Prestige relates to respect and recognition, often correlated with educational attainment and social importance.
Power dynamics emphasize control and the influence of a small elite over societal decisions.

Life Chances

Life chances define the likelihood of individuals securing desirable life experiences, significantly influenced by their social stratification.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Caste and Class systems in this flashcard quiz from Sociology Chapter 8. Understand the differences in social mobility between these systems and explore key factors that define them. Get ready to solidify your grasp of important sociological concepts!