Study Guide for Chapter 13: Social Class and Status

Definition of Social Class

Groups of people sharing similar prestige, esteem, beliefs, attitudes, and values; determined by factors such as education, income, and occupation.

Economic Capital

Money and wealth.

Social Capital

Network resources, the ability to gain support.

Cultural Capital

Distinctive tastes and skills tied to social positions.

Taste and Habitus

Pierre Bourdieu theorized taste as a marker of social class, embedded in habitus (patterns of perception).

Online Capital

Status in the digital space, driven by engagement, reputation, and exclusivity.

Social Stratification

Artificial divisions creating status hierarchies; indicators include education, profession, and income.

Horizontal Mobility

Movement across equivalent social positions.

Upward Mobility

Moving higher in social status, often linked to education and career shifts.

Downward Mobility

A decline in social status due to economic setbacks.

Empowerment and Confidence

Lower-class consumers may feel less empowered, influencing their consumption behavior.

Social Comparison

Evaluating oneself against peers or aspirational groups; includes upward and downward comparisons, aspirations gaps, and the 'hedonic treadmill.'

Status Symbols

Products like luxury goods symbolize wealth and prestige.

Brand Prominence

High visibility logos for status signaling.

Parody Display

Mocking status with understated or reversed signals (e.g., ripped jeans).

Virtue Signaling

Displaying moral uprightness through consumption (e.g., eco-friendly products).

Income Inequality and Social Justice

Top 1% controls a significant proportion of wealth; challenges include the digital divide and restricted access to resources.

Consumption at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Strategies targeting low-income consumers based on awareness, affordability, acceptability, and availability.

Role of Institutions

Businesses, governments, and non-profits collaborate to address inequality.