Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which type of power is defined as the ability to persuade others?
Which type of power is defined as the ability to persuade others?
What is traditional authority primarily based on?
What is traditional authority primarily based on?
What term describes the unequal distribution of power within a society?
What term describes the unequal distribution of power within a society?
Legal-rational authority derives its power from what source?
Legal-rational authority derives its power from what source?
Signup and view all the answers
What concept refers to the opportunities individuals have to secure material goods and favorable living conditions?
What concept refers to the opportunities individuals have to secure material goods and favorable living conditions?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of the US population is estimated to be transgender?
What percentage of the US population is estimated to be transgender?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following groups represents a minority or underrepresented group by definition?
Which of the following groups represents a minority or underrepresented group by definition?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ascribed status refers to the position assigned by society regarding physical differences?
Which ascribed status refers to the position assigned by society regarding physical differences?
Signup and view all the answers
How many people in the US are estimated to be vegan?
How many people in the US are estimated to be vegan?
Signup and view all the answers
What concept describes the interconnectedness of various forms of inequality?
What concept describes the interconnectedness of various forms of inequality?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of the US population is estimated to have at least one child?
What percentage of the US population is estimated to have at least one child?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT an ascribed status?
Which of the following is NOT an ascribed status?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the cross-cutting memberships that determine life control according to Hill-Collins?
What is the term for the cross-cutting memberships that determine life control according to Hill-Collins?
Signup and view all the answers
What is privilege primarily characterized by?
What is privilege primarily characterized by?
Signup and view all the answers
How is wisdom defined in the context provided?
How is wisdom defined in the context provided?
Signup and view all the answers
What differentiates discrimination from prejudice?
What differentiates discrimination from prejudice?
Signup and view all the answers
What does symbolic or modern prejudice refer to?
What does symbolic or modern prejudice refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
How are microaggressions best described?
How are microaggressions best described?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is communicating experiences of marginalization particularly difficult?
Why is communicating experiences of marginalization particularly difficult?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best captures the essence of knowledge?
Which statement best captures the essence of knowledge?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the concept of privilege suggest about societal perceptions?
What does the concept of privilege suggest about societal perceptions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary characteristic of symbolic prejudice?
What is the primary characteristic of symbolic prejudice?
Signup and view all the answers
Under what conditions does the contact hypothesis propose that prejudice can be reduced?
Under what conditions does the contact hypothesis propose that prejudice can be reduced?
Signup and view all the answers
What does institutionalized discrimination entail?
What does institutionalized discrimination entail?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of African-American women earn less than men on average?
What percentage of African-American women earn less than men on average?
Signup and view all the answers
What belief might contribute to the dominant group's view of underrepresented groups according to symbolic prejudice?
What belief might contribute to the dominant group's view of underrepresented groups according to symbolic prejudice?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a benefit included in the GI Bill?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit included in the GI Bill?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary issue highlighted by the concept of the feminization of poverty?
What is the primary issue highlighted by the concept of the feminization of poverty?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements best describes the Second Shift as presented by Hochschild in 1989?
Which of the following statements best describes the Second Shift as presented by Hochschild in 1989?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of atmosphere is necessary for effective interactions under the contact hypothesis?
What type of atmosphere is necessary for effective interactions under the contact hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common misconception about underrepresented groups according to symbolic prejudice?
What is a common misconception about underrepresented groups according to symbolic prejudice?
Signup and view all the answers
In terms of home ownership, which demographic group has the lowest rates?
In terms of home ownership, which demographic group has the lowest rates?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key aspect of microaggressions?
What is a key aspect of microaggressions?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the adjusted wage gap consider that the unadjusted wage gap does not?
What does the adjusted wage gap consider that the unadjusted wage gap does not?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately reflects the wage gap for women over their careers?
Which statement accurately reflects the wage gap for women over their careers?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe the psychological implications of minor discriminatory acts?
What is the term used to describe the psychological implications of minor discriminatory acts?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor contributes to the male perspective being primarily valued in society?
Which factor contributes to the male perspective being primarily valued in society?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did fewer African-American families rise to middle-class status after the war?
Why did fewer African-American families rise to middle-class status after the war?
Signup and view all the answers
How did discrimination affect African-American homeownership post-war?
How did discrimination affect African-American homeownership post-war?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of the employment situation for women after the war?
What was a consequence of the employment situation for women after the war?
Signup and view all the answers
What does wealth refer to in the context provided?
What does wealth refer to in the context provided?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of the US income is earned by the top 1% of earners as described?
What percentage of the US income is earned by the top 1% of earners as described?
Signup and view all the answers
Which demographic had the highest percentage living below the poverty line?
Which demographic had the highest percentage living below the poverty line?
Signup and view all the answers
How much wealth does the bottom 90% of the population control?
How much wealth does the bottom 90% of the population control?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the wealth gap between white households and African-American households, on average?
What was the wealth gap between white households and African-American households, on average?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Stratification and Inequality
- Stratification is the ranking of entire groups of people based on unequal rewards, power, and life chances.
- Life chances are opportunities for individuals to gain material goods, positive living conditions, and favorable life experiences.
- Inequality is the unequal distribution of power which creates different amounts of wealth, prestige, and power in society.
- Inequality exists in all societies.
- Stratification perpetuates inequality.
Types of Power
- Power is the ability to influence others' actions despite opposition.
- Weber identified three types of power:
- Force (physical coercion).
- Influence (persuasion).
- Authority (institutionalized power recognized by those it is held over).
Authority
- Authority is power recognized and accepted as legitimate.
- Three types of authority:
- Traditional authority: power based on custom and tradition. No concern for the individual's abilities or capacity.
- Legal-rational authority: power based on rules and regulations. The position holds the power; people are selected for qualification.
- Charismatic authority: power based on a leader's personal appeal and followers' recognition of exceptional qualities.
Minority/Underrepresented Groups
- Minority/underrepresented groups are subordinate groups with less power and control over their lives compared to the dominant group.
- A group's designation as a minority is based on power, not on numerical size.
- Ascribed status is a position assigned by society regardless of individual characteristics or abilities.
- Individuals have little control over their ascribed status.
Stratifying Variables (Ascribed)
- Race: groups set apart due to physical differences.
- Ethnicity: groups set apart due to national origin or cultural patterns.
- Class: status based on economic success and wealth.
- Gender: societal norms and expectations associated with masculinity and femininity.
- Sexual orientation: enduring patterns of attraction.
- Ableness: physical abilities or impairments.
Intersectionality
- Intersectionality (Crenshaw 1989) emphasizes that forms of inequality (racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc) are interconnected and cannot be studied separately.
- The Matrix of Domination (Hill-Collins 1991) describes how overlapping factors, like race, class, gender, and sexual identities, shape individual experiences of inequality. The resulting experience of inequality is complex.
Privilege
- Privilege refers to structural advantages given to individuals based on group membership.
- People with privilege often are unaware of their privilege.
- Privilege can be seen as an "invisible knapsack of unearned assets."
Prejudice and Discrimination
- Prejudice is a negative feeling toward an entire group of people, often based on preconceived notions.
- Discrimination is the process of denying rights and opportunities to groups of people based on prejudice or other factors.
Symbolic Prejudice
- Symbolic prejudice (modern prejudice) is subtle and indirect negative attitudes toward minority groups.
- This type of prejudice may exist even in cultures that do not outwardly endorse prejudice or discrimination.
- Microaggressions are subtle, unintentional, and/or indirect expressions of prejudice toward marginalized groups.
Contact Hypothesis
- The contact hypothesis suggests that contact between groups can reduce prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination if people are of equal status, in a non-competitive atmosphere, and have intensive interactions.
Institutionalized Discrimination
- Institutionalized discrimination refers to discriminatory practices that are ingrained in a society's structures.
- Such practices are routinely perceived as normal and necessary.
GI Bill (Brodkin 1998)
- The Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill, aimed at providing benefits and opportunities to returning WWII veterans.
- Benefits included low-cost mortgages, loans for business or farming, unemployment compensation, job placement assistance, and tuition for education.
- African Americans often faced discrimination when using GI benefits, and limited in opportunities. Post-war, many were placed in less desirable positions or were denied access to programs and housing.
Aftermath of the GI Bill
- Fewer African Americans achieved middle-class status, largely due to discrimination in housing and employment.
- The difficulties these individuals faced contributed to the accumulation of wealth inequality.
- Limited access to education and housing opportunities hindered upward mobility for African Americans.
Wealth vs. Income
- Wealth is the total value of assets owned minus debts.
- Income is earnings from wages, dividends, interest, or property rent.
- Wealth inequality is stark, with a significant portion controlled by a small percentage of top earners; the top 1% or 10%. The bottom 90% of earners have little wealth.
Race/Ethnicity and Poverty
- Racial and ethnic minorities often experience disproportionately high rates of poverty compared to the dominant or majority groups.
- Significant wealth gap, with minority groups having a significantly lower net worth compared to white families.
- Institutionalized discrimination reinforces the cycle of poverty for minority groups.
Wage Gap
- Women's average pay is often lower than men's for comparable work.
- Factors like occupations, hours worked, and experience in the workforce may contribute to the gap, over a career, women have lower wealth than men.
- Women of color are disproportionately affected by this gender wage gap.
- The gender gap over a career leads to higher poverty rates for females.
Second Shift
- Women typically take on additional unpaid work (like housework, childcare) beyond paid employment, which is often viewed as second-shift work
Stereotype Commercial, Microaggressions and Resources
- These are examples of prejudice in action, and available for further research.
Feminism
- Feminism is a modern theoretical perspective that combines elements of power-based theories and micro-theories, recognizing that men and women experience the world differently primarily due to socialization differences.
- Feminism, especially intersectional feminism, considers the various social experiences of women based on race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and other factors. The experiences are often different, due to different social structures in society.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the concepts of stratification and inequality in society, focusing on the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities. Additionally, it covers different types of power and authority as outlined by Weber. Test your understanding of these fundamental sociological principles.
