Sociology Chapter 8 – Flashcards

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy

A change in position within the social hierarchy

Social stratification based on ascription, or birth

Social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement

Social stratification based on personal merit

The degree of uniformity in a person's social standing across various dimensions of social inequality

A shift in the social position of large numbers of people due more to changes in society itself than to individual efforts

Cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements, including patterns of inequality

The assertion that social stratification exists in every society because it has beneficial consequences for the operation of society

People who own and operate factories and other businesses pursuit of profits

People who sell their labor for wages

The experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

Lower-prestige jobs that involve mostly manual labor

Higher-prestige jobs that involve mostly mental activity

A composite ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality

Buying and using products because of the "statement" they make about social position

Earnings from work or investments

The total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts

A change in social position occurring during a person's lifetime

Upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their parents

The lack of resources of some people in relation to those who have more

A lack of resources that is life-threatening

The trend of women making up an increasing proportion of the poor

Social stratification refers to A. Job specialization B. Ranking categories of people in a hierarchy C. The fact that some people work harder than others D. Inequality of personal talent and individual effort

A caste system is social stratification A. Based on individual achievement B. Based on meritocracy C. Based on birth D. In which categories of people are unequal

Sonja has two advanced degrees, an average salary, and is working at a low-prestige job. Which concept best describes her situation? A. Low status consistency B. Horizontal social mobility C. Upward social mobility D. High status consistency

According to the Davis-Moore thesis, A. Equality is functional for society B. The more inequality a society has, the more productive it is C. More important jobs must offer enough rewards to draw talent from less important work D. Societies with more meritocracy are less productive than those with the caste systems

Karl Marx claimed that society "reproduces the class structure." By this, he meant that A. Society benefits from inequality B. Class differences are passed on from one generation to another C. Class differences are the same everywhere in the world D. A society without classes is impossible

Max weber claimed that social stratification is based on A. Economic class B. Social status or prestige C. Power D. All of the above are correct

The wealthiest 20% of people in the United States own about how much of the country's privately owned wealth? A. 35% B. 55% C. 85% D. 95%

About what share of U.S. Adults over the age of 25 are college graduates? A. 10% B. 28% C. 40% D. 68%

Which of the following is another term for the "working class"? A. Upper-middle class B. Average-middle class C. Lower class D. Lower-middle class

Which quintile (20%) of the U.S. Population has seen the greatest in income over the last generation? A. The top quintile B. The middle quintile C. The lowest quintile D. All quintiles have seen the same change

Change in social position during a person's own lifetime is called A. Intergenerational social mobility B. Intragenerational social mobility C. Structural social mobility D. Horizontal social mobility

Which age category of the U.S. Population has the highest poverty rate? A. Young people under the age of 24 B. Adults in their 30s C. Middle-aged people in their 40s D. Seniors over age 65