Sociology Final Flashcards (8-13)

Questions and Answers

Which of the following are forms of technological stratification? (Select all that apply)

Economic mobility

Digital divide (correct)

Differential class-based access to technology (correct)

Knowledge gap in information access (correct)

What is the digital divide?

The uneven access to technology among different races, classes, and geographic areas.

What are the two sides of the arguments regarding net neutrality?

Side 1 believes internet service providers should act as common carriers; Side 2 believes this would limit profitable operations.

How can we protect our data?

Become familiar with privacy rights, read privacy policies, give minimum information requested, ask why information is collected, and monitor credit card history. Signup and view all the answers

How does media consolidation work?

A process in which fewer owners control the majority of media outlets, creating an oligopoly. Signup and view all the answers

The four functions of media are: commercial, entertainment, social norms, and ______.

life-changing Signup and view all the answers

What is the gatekeeping process?

The process by which possible messages are reduced to a manageable amount for mass media. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following groups with their description:

Neo-Luddites = View technology as alienating Technophiles = View technology as having potential for a better future Upper Class = Control significant power and resources Lower Class = Often face economic instability Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between wealth and income?

Wealth is the net value of money and assets; income is wages or investment dividends. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are key determinants of social standing? (Select all that apply)

Social standing of parents Signup and view all the answers

What is the caste system compared to the class system?

Caste system is based on birth with no mobility, while class system allows movement based on factors like education and occupation. Signup and view all the answers

What factors is the standard of living based on?

Income, employment, class, poverty rates, and housing affordability. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different types of mobility?

Social mobility, upward mobility, downward mobility, intergenerational mobility, and intragenerational mobility. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the global feminization of poverty?

Women experience disproportionate poverty, lack basic rights, and often receive inadequate healthcare. Signup and view all the answers

What is dependency theory?

Global inequality is caused by core nations exploiting peripheral nations, creating dependence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the argument surrounding sex education in the U.S.?

Debates include who teaches, when to teach, and what content should be included. Signup and view all the answers

What is intersection theory?

It suggests that race, class, gender, and sexual orientation intersect to affect individuals' experiences. Signup and view all the answers

How is race socially constructed?

Physical variations have no intrinsic meaning; social cues create classifications. Signup and view all the answers

What are gender roles?

Society's expectations for how men and women should look and behave. Signup and view all the answers

What does gerontology study?

The process of aging and challenges faced as individuals grow older. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'graying in America'?

It refers to the increasing median age of the American population. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Technological Stratification

Differential class-based access to technology leads to a digital divide, impacting education and resources.
Knowledge gap arises from unequal exposure to technology, particularly in well-funded vs poorly funded schools.

Digital Divide

Defines inequitable technology access across races, classes, and geographies.
Gained attention in 1996, emphasizing global disparities in technological advantage.

Net Neutrality

Principle advocating equal treatment of all internet data by service providers.
Two opposing views: treating service as a common carrier vs. concerns about regulatory burdens on telecom companies.

Data Protection Strategies

Familiarize with privacy rights and read policies before accepting terms.
Share only essential information and inquire about the purpose of data collection.
Regularly monitor financial accounts for unusual activity.

Media Consolidation

Fewer owners controlling media outlets leads to oligopolistic structures.
Diminishes diversity in media representation and viewpoint.

Functions of Media

Commercial, entertainment, social norms, and life-changing functions serve various societal purposes.

Gatekeeping

The process of transforming numerous messages into a manageable and media-appropriate format.

Neo-Luddites vs. Technophiles

Neo-Luddites view technology as cold and alienating, while Technophiles see it as embodying hope and potential.

Wealth vs. Income

Wealth encompasses total net assets; income refers to earnings from work or investments.

Parental social standing and the occupational structure within society influence individual social positions.

Caste System vs. Class System

Caste System: Fixed social position with little chance for mobility.
Class System: Social mobility based on social factors and individual achievement, allowing for changes in status.

Standard of Living

Defined by economic capacity to meet societal norms for material goods and comfort.
Influenced by factors like income, employment, class, poverty rates, and housing costs.

Upper Class: Gain power alongside wealth; affect societal job markets.
Middle Class: Strive for comfort; subdivided into upper and lower middle classes.
Lower Class: Includes working class, working poor, and underclass; marked by lower income and job insecurity.

Types of Mobility

Social Mobility: Transitioning within social stratification.
Upward and Downward Mobility: Movement in social class status.
Intergenerational vs. Intragenerational Mobility: Variations across generations or within the same generation.

Class Traits

Class markers reflect behaviors, customs, and cultural exposure indicating wealth disparity.

Global Stratification Models

Classification of countries based on economic status, including first, second, and third-world models, as well as GDP comparisons.

Davis-Moore Thesis

Functionalist perspective asserting that social stratification reflects the unequal value of work in society.

Global Stratification Concerns

Issues like prejudice, discrimination, gender inequality, and sexual orientation affect global social dynamics.

Global Stratification Systems

Core Nations: Highly industrialized and economically powerful.
Peripheral Nations: Minimal industrialization; often exploited by core nations.
Semi-Peripheral Nations: Intermediate status; contribute resources without full autonomy.

Types of Poverty

Relative Poverty: Unable to meet society's average living standards despite meeting basic needs.
Absolute Poverty: Inability to secure essential life necessities.
Subjective Poverty: Based on personal perceptions of income and societal expectations.

Global Feminization of Poverty

Women disproportionately face poverty-related challenges, including limited rights and inadequate access to resources, despite some improvements.

Poverty in Regions

Significant poverty rates in Africa and Asia, with the Middle East possessing fewer resources relative to other regions.

Dependency Theory

Asserts that wealthier nations exploit lower-income nations, perpetuating global inequality.

Modernization Theory

Suggests low-income countries can improve by adapting cultural values or industrialization.

Race vs. Ethnicity

Race relates to physical traits; ethnicity is linked to cultural heritage.

Racial categorization relies on societal interpretations of physical differences rather than biological significance.

Minority Groups

Defined by unequal treatment due to physical or cultural traits, leading to collective discrimination.

Stereotypes and Prejudice

Stereotypes are broad, oversimplified beliefs about groups; prejudice involves pre-judged attitudes without empirical basis.

Colorism and Racism

Colorism: Preference for certain skin tones within racial groups.
Racism: Antagonism directed at individuals based on perceived racial superiority.

Intersection Theory

Recognizes that multiple social categories (race, class, gender) intersect to shape individual experiences of prejudice.

Intergroup Relationships

Varied relationships include genocide, expulsion, segregation, pluralism, assimilation, and amalgamation.

Pluralism

Concept of diverse cultures coexisting with mutual respect while maintaining individual identities.

Assimilation vs. Amalgamation

Assimilation: Minority groups adopt dominant cultural traits.
Amalgamation: Blending of majority and minority cultures into a new cultural identity.

Sex vs. Gender

Sex: Biological differences; Gender: Societal roles and behaviors assigned to individuals based on sex.

Categories of Sexual Orientation

Includes heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality.

Gender Roles

Societal expectations shaping how individuals should behave based on their perceived gender.

Gender Identity

A personal sense of one's own gender, which may or may not align with biological sex.

Gender Socialization Agents

Family, education, peer groups, and media shape and reinforce gender-specific behaviors and expectations.

Sexuality seen as defined by social contexts rather than purely biological factors.

Biological Determinism

Belief that biological factors dictate individual behaviors and characteristics.

U.S. Sex Education Debates

Discussions focus on educators, timing, and curriculum content for sexual education.

Theoretical Perspectives of Sex

Structural Functionalism emphasizes stability in sexual behaviors for societal cohesion.
Conflict Theory highlights power dynamics and economic interests influencing sexuality.
Symbolic Interactionism examines the meanings individuals assign to sexual orientation.

Media Portrayal of the Elderly

Negative stereotypes dominate, with cultural preference for youth and beauty prevalent.

Gerontology

The study of aging, encompassing various aspects of age and the aging process.

Graying in America

Describes an increasing median age, reflecting a growing elderly population.

Characteristics of Baby Boomers

Noted for strong work ethic, competitiveness, resourcefulness, and a team-oriented mentality.

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Description

Prepare for your Sociology final with these flashcards focusing on crucial concepts like technological stratification and the digital divide. This quiz covers essential definitions and examples that illustrate class-based access to technology. Test your understanding of these social issues that impact education and society at large.