Sociology Final

What is Karl Marx’s view on social class?

It is relational between the capitalists and the proletariat

What is Mark Weber’s view on social class?

There are defined groups (upper, middle, lower), and it’s not relational

How is fashion a class marker?

The elite use fashion to draw class distinctions

What is the theory of leisure class?

Buying luxury items or going on trips with the purpose of displaying status

What is the definition of stratification?

Social division that reflects the values of society

What are the four features of stratification?

1- It is a characteristic of a society, rather than a reflection of individual differences

2- It persists over generations

3- Stratification is universal, but is different within differing societies

4- It is maintained through beliefs that are widely shared by members of a society

What are the four factors that explain economic inequality?

1- Advances in technology

2- Deindustrialization

3- Government policies

4- Union membership

What are the types of social mobility?

• Horizontal - changes in line of work

• Vertical - changes in earnings

• Structural - a result of changes in the structure of the economy (e.g., job replacement due to automation)

What is the main trend of social mobility?

Similarity in socioeconomic status for parents and children

What are the three factors of social mobility?

1- Family

2- Labor market conditions

3- Government policies

What perspective on social inequality does Structural Functionalism follow?

• Society is a complex system of various parts

• Some positions/occupations are more important than others

• Important positions require training and have better pay

• Inequality is inevitable and necessary in society

What perspective on social inequality does Conflict Theory follow?

• Society consists of groups competing for resources

• The dominant group controls resources and ideas

• The subordinate group develops a “false consciousness.”

• Inequality is not necessary and is a reflection of unequal power

What is Invisible Inequality?

• Parenting can reproduce class inequalities

• Middle class follows concerted cultivation

  • structured, speaking up, child has an emerging sense of entitlement

• Working class follows the accomplishment of natural growth

  • less structured, follow directions, child has an emerging sense of constraint

Define the differences between Race vs Ethnicity

• Race: based on perceived physical similarities

• Ethnicity: based on perceived cultural similarities

What are the differences between Essentialist and Constructionist?

• Essentialist: race is a biological concept (inherited)

• Constructionist: race is not a biological concept; it only claims to be (a product of historical and social circumstances)

What would an Essentialist vs a Constructionist say about Rachel Dolezal?

• Essentialist: She is white —> she has white parents

• Constructionist: She can be black —> race is fluid, but because she has no known African ancestry, it’s problematic

Define microassault and give an example

• Derogatory messages that are meant to hurt and demean a recipient (deliberate)

• “so….when are you going back?”

Define microinsult and give an example

• Messages that convey rudeness, insensitivity to a recipient’s identity (unconscious)

• “You’re smart for a black person”

Define microinvalidation and give an example

• Messages that exclude, negate, or minimize a recipient’s identity and experiences (conscious or unconscious)

• “sometimes I forget you’re Asian - you act so white”

What is inequality in Institutional Racism?

Laws, policies, and practices within institutions

What was the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act?

• Different sentencing for crack vs cocain

• Racial disparity —> increased the black incarceration rate

What is inequality in Color-Blind Racism?

It is explained away in non-racial terms

What are the four frames of Color-Blind racism?

1- Abstract liberalism: use of liberal ideas

2- Naturalization: explain racial phenomena as natural

3- Cultural racism: focus on group attributes and behaviors

4- Minimization: downplay the impact of racism today

What are Essentialist and Constructionist views of gender?

• Essentialist - gender is biological and a two-category system

• Constructionist - gender is a social construct (shaped socially by culture) and isn’t necessarily a two-category system

What are the three factors that influence the gender wage gap?

1- Experience: women are more likely to experience “work interruptions” (maternity leave)

2- Occupation: concentration in lower-paying jobs

3- Discrimination: lower pay for feminized jobs, “family wages” (men get paid more because they’re assumed to be the breadwinners)

What are the two factors that influence occupational sex segregation?

1- Sociolization

2- Discrimination

What are pink collar jobs?

Female-dominated jobs

What is the glass ceiling?

Women in male-dominated jobs —> have a hard time moving up in a position

What is the glass escalator?

Men in women-dominated jobs —> have an easy time moving up in a position

What were the main ideas from “Preparing for Parenthood”?

• Women anticipate parenthood much more than men

• Women often expect to have to leave the workforce to become the central caretaker

What are the religious views of Durkheim?

Religion brings people together in social solidarity

What are the religious views of Marx?

Religion is a form of social control and provides temporary relief to those who struggle

What are the religious views of Weber?

Religious ideas can shape and change society

What is the difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic religiosity?

• Intrinsic: affiliation and guidance

• Extrinsic: frequency of service attendance and prayer

What is secularization?

Decrease in religious service attendance and an increase in people who are unaffiliated

What are the two main groups? (religious composition)

• Unaffiliated

• Evangelical Christian

What are some examples of religion in politics?

• “God” on currency and in the pledge of allegiance

• Abortion and marriage equality laws

• Religion is one of the strongest predictors of voting

What is Mass Society Theory?

People join a social movement to satisfy a psychological need for belonging

What is Relative Deprivation Theory?

Oppressed groups seeking rights and opportunities lead/join social movements

What is Resource Mobilization Theory?

Practical constraints helping or hindering movements (e.g., work strikes —> employees aren’t making money and risk losing their job)

What is Framing Theory?

How groups create social movements

• Diagnostic: identify a social problem

• Prognostic: strategies to solve the problem

• Motivational: gathering support from the public

What are the stages of a social movement?

1- Incipient: diagnostic

2- Coalesce: people participating

3- Bureaucratization: government responds

4- Decline: dispersal