Sociology: Social Stratification and Inequality

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What is the main feature of an open class system?

There is no social mobility.

Social classes are fixed and unchangeable.

People can move up or down the social ladder based on their merits. (correct)

People are born into a specific social class.

What is social inequality?

The elimination of social classes.

The uneven distribution of resources, rewards, and social positions within a society. (correct)

The equal distribution of power and wealth.

The distribution of equal resources to all members of society.

What does the Dependency Theory suggest?

Resources are equally distributed among all states.

Resources flow from wealthy states to poor states.

Resources flow from a periphery of poor and exploited states to a core of wealthy states. (correct)

Resources flow from the core to the periphery.

What is the main difference between the Modernization and Dependency theories?

Their solutions to global inequality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of absolute poverty according to the World Bank?

Living on less than 1.25 dollars daily. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Social Conflict Perspective?

How social inequality is perpetuated. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Functionalist perspective, why does social inequality exist?

Because it plays a vital part in the continued existence of society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of relative poverty?

Comparing oneself to others in terms of wealth and status. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective?

The role of symbols in social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Functionalist Perspective?

How social order is maintained. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of the Social Conflict Perspective?

The distribution of power in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective?

How people interact with each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Absolute poverty is a fixed standard, while relative poverty is comparative. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Dependency Theory argue about the integration of poor states into the world system?

It impoverishes the poor states. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Absolute poverty refers to the lack of basic resources, while relative poverty refers to comparing oneself to others. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Marxist social-conflict perspective, why is social stratification created and maintained?

To protect and enhance the economic interests of one group. Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective views social stratification as benefiting society as a whole?

Functionalist perspective. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the social conflict perspective?

How social stratification benefits some people and disadvantages others. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social stratification refers to the uneven distribution of resources, rewards, and social positions within a society, often arising from inequitable allocation practices.
It creates distinct patterns based on socially defined categories of people, influenced by factors like power, religion, kinship, prestige, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and class.

Functionalist Perspective: Social inequality exists because it plays a vital part in the continued existence of society, with rewards attached to positions based on their importance to society.
Social Conflict Perspective: Emphasizes how social stratification benefits some people and disadvantages others, with Marxist and Weberian views.
Marxist Social Conflict Perspective: Social stratification is created and maintained by one group to protect and enhance its own economic interests, with the goal of creating a classless society.
Weberian Social Conflict Perspective: Involves three distinct dimensions of inequality: class, social status or prestige, and power.

Davis-Moore Theory

Rewards, such as income, prestige, and power, are necessary to place talented people in the right jobs and motivate them to work hard.
Criticisms of the theory include questions about how to assess the importance of a particular occupation and whether rewards reflect the contribution someone makes to society.

Global Inequality and Poverty

Absolute Poverty: Refers to the lack of basic resources like food, clean water, safe housing, and access to healthcare, with the World Bank defining it as living on less than 1.25 dollars daily.
Relative Poverty: Refers to the lack of resources compared to others in the same society.
Subjective Poverty: A type of poverty that is perceived by an individual or group.
Dependency Theory: Suggests that resources flow from a "periphery" of poor and exploited states to a "core" of wealthy states, enriching the latter at the expense of the former.

Understanding social stratification helps to alleviate poverty and promote global equality.
Recognizing the different sociological perspectives on social stratification is essential to addressing social and political inequality.

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Understand social stratification, its causes, and effects on societies, including theories and factors influencing social positions and resource allocation.

Sociology: Social Stratification and Inequality

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