The American Class Systems Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the differences between social classes in the United States based on?

income, lifestyles, and beliefs.

A groundskeeper who moves from a school to a church and remains a groundskeeper is experiencing _____

horizontal mobility

Techniques used to rank individuals according to social class are?

Reputational method

Subjective method

Objective method

All of the above (correct)

The method of ranking social status that asks people to rank themselves is called the _____.

subjective method Signup and view all the answers

Advances in technology can cause workers with outdated skills to experience _____.

downward social mobility Signup and view all the answers

Those who hold jobs that require manual labor are in the?

working class. Signup and view all the answers

Name the three basic techniques used to rank individuals according to social class and describe each briefly.

Reputational method: individuals in the community are asked to rank other community members based on what they know of their character and lifestyle. Subjective method: individuals are asked to determine their own social rank. Objective method: social class is defined by income, occupation, and education. Signup and view all the answers

A doctor whose father works as a janitor would be an example of _____.

intergenerational mobility Signup and view all the answers

Identify and describe the three types of social mobility.

Horizontal mobility: movement within a social class or stratum. Vertical mobility: movement between social classes or strata. Intergenerational mobility: status differences between generations in the same family. Signup and view all the answers

The United States has an open class system based on social mobility that includes?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Differences in social classes in the U.S. stem from variations in income, lifestyles, and beliefs.

Mobility Types

Horizontal Mobility: Movement within the same social class, such as a groundskeeper changing workplaces without changing status.
Vertical Mobility: Movement between social classes, indicating either upward or downward shifts.
Intergenerational Mobility: Change in social status from one generation to the next, exemplified by a doctor whose father was a janitor.

Ranking Techniques

Reputational Method: Community members assess and rank others based on their character and lifestyle.
Subjective Method: Individuals self-assess and rank their own social status.
Objective Method: Social class determined by measurable factors like income, occupation, and education levels.

Impact of Technology

Advances in technology can lead to downward social mobility for workers whose skills become obsolete.

Individuals in manual labor roles are classified as part of the working class.

U.S. Class System

The United States operates an open class system characterized by social mobility, allowing movement among various social strata.

Description

Test your knowledge on the differences between social classes in the United States with these flashcards. Explore concepts such as social mobility and the techniques used to classify individuals by class. Perfect for students studying sociology or social issues.