Questions and Answers
What is social stratification?
the division of society into groups arranged in a social hierarchy
What is social inequality?
the unequal distribution of wealth, power, or prestige among members of society
What are the three systems of stratification?
slavery (closed), caste (closed), social class (open)
How do the three systems of stratification differ?
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What are closed systems?
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What are open systems?
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What is the difference between social class and socioeconomic status?
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What are the distinct social classes?
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How do the social classes differ?
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Why is it difficult to determine a person's socioeconomic status?
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What is social mobility?
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How can it be intergenerational and intragenerational?
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How can it be horizontal and vertical?
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What is meritocracy?
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Why can meritocracy be problematic?
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What is the culture of poverty?
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What is the 'just world hypothesis'?
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What is the difference between relative and absolute deprivation?
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What was the 'Paul Fussell Living Room Scale' and what does it tell us about social class?
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Study Notes
Social Stratification and Inequality
- Social stratification refers to the division of society into hierarchical groups.
- Social inequality is characterized by the unequal distribution of wealth, power, or prestige.
Systems of Stratification
- Three systems of stratification include:
- Slavery (closed system)
- Caste (closed system)
- Social Class (open system)
- Slavery involves legal ownership of individuals, marking it as the most severe form of stratification.
- Caste determines status based on family heritage, with no opportunity for change.
- Social Class provides a more flexible system influenced by access to wealth, property, power, and prestige.
Closed vs. Open Systems
- Closed systems have limited opportunities for movement between social tiers.
- Open systems allow for more mobility and opportunities to change social standings.
Social Class vs. Socioeconomic Status
- Social class is determined by access to resources, while socioeconomic status (SES) measures an individual's position within a social class, unaffected by race, ethnicity, gender, or age.
Distinct Social Classes
- Classes include:
- Upper class (1% of population, vast wealth)
- Upper middle class (14%, professionals/financially stable)
- Middle class (30%, white-collar workers with varied incomes)
- Middle lower class (30%, blue-collar/service industry, less education)
- Lower class (20%, full-time workers below poverty line)
Challenges in Defining Socioeconomic Status
- SES assessment involves complex variables: income, wealth, education, occupation, and power.
- Wealthy individuals with varying degrees of education complicate classification further.
Social Mobility
- Social mobility refers to the movement within the hierarchical structure of social classes.
- Can occur intergenerationally (child moves to a different class) or intragenerationally (individual changes class in their lifetime).
Horizontal and Vertical Mobility
- Horizontal mobility example: a waiter transitioning to a nursing role.
- Vertical mobility example: a waiter becoming homeless.
Meritocracy and Its Issues
- Meritocracy is a system rewarding individuals based on merit.
- Many dispute its existence, believing society lacks true equality, complicating perceptions of fairness.
Culture of Poverty
- Refers to attitudes developed in impoverished communities, fostering acceptance of their socio-economic situation without striving for change.
Just World Hypothesis
- Suggests people view the world as fair, potentially blaming victims of social injustices for their conditions.
Relative vs. Absolute Deprivation
- Relative deprivation measures poverty against societal standards, deeming individuals poor if they have less than peers.
- Absolute deprivation is an objective measure based on minimal needs such as food and shelter.
Paul Fussell Living Room Scale
- A tool to assess social class based on household contents, reflecting one's socio-economic status.
Relationship Between Social Inequality and Race
- Social inequality intersects with race, influencing judgments and perceptions regarding various social standing conditions.
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Description
Test your knowledge on social stratification and inequality with these flashcards from Sociology Chapter 4. Learn the definitions and systems that shape social structures in society. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of core sociological concepts.
