Chapter 7: Social Inequality P2

What is functionalist perspective?

means that social inequality serves a function.

What does the Davis-Moore thesis argue?

Social stratification is necessary because it motivates people to take more challenging careers. Some jobs require that you go to school for a long time.

Why would doctors receive greater rewards than janitors according to Davis and Moore?

Doctors require more education, training, sacrifice, and debt, so they receive greater rewards.

What are Tumin's three criticisms of the Davis-Moore thesis?

1. It assumes society is a meritocracy.

2. It places too much emphasis on extrinsic rewards instead of intrinsic rewards.

3. It assumes highly respected jobs are more important than less respected jobs.

What is meritocracy?

is a system that links rewards to personal merit. Where rewards are based on ability, education, and effort.

Why does Tumin criticize meritocracy?

Tumin would say that there are
people who have high levels of education, but are
underemployed—meaning that they are
overqualified for their jobs.

Why does Tumin criticizes Davis Moore’s over emphasis on extrinsic rewards?

Too much emphasis on extrinsic rewards and not
enough emphasis on intrinsic rewards

What are extrinsic rewards?

reward that includes money, power and respect from others. Comes from others.

What are intrinsic rewards?

rewards that include a feeling of satisfaction,
enjoyment from doing your job and a sense of
fulfillment. Comes from within oneself.

Why does Tumin criticize Davis Moore view on types of jobs?

Assume that jobs that are respected (like doctors
and lawyers) are more important than jobs that are
not as respected (like garbage collectors and
janitors)

Who was Karl Marx?

The father of conflict theory, born in Trier, Germany in 1818.

Who was Frederich Engles?

was the son of a wealthy textiles factory capitalist and he did not like the conditions of labor that he observed in his father’s factories. He collaborated with Marx and wrote a number of articles and books with him

What are the two social classes according to Karl Marx?

• Bourgeoisie

• Proletariat

Who are the bourgeoisie?

those who “control the means of production”. They are business owners. They own the factories that Marx
studied.

Who are the proletariat?

the workers or laborers

What question did Marx have?

“If the proletariat have nothing to lose, what is keeping them from coming together, uniting and overthrowing the bourgeoisie?”

Why did Marx have this question?

• Marx stated that the bourgeoisie are on top and they want to stay there. They also have everything to lose.

• The proletariat have nothing to lose and the
  bourgeoisie are aware of that.

How do bourgeoisie protect their interest according to Marx?

False consciousness

What is false consciousness?

When workers do not recognize that they are being exploited and believe their interests are the same as the ruling class.

Name an example of false consciousness

proletariat see themselves as a part of the
bourgeoisie. They think one day they will become one, so they won’t cause trouble.

What is class consciousness?

the sense of common identification with members of a class. Realizing that you are part of an exploited social class. That you will never get promoted.

According to Marx, what happens once workers develop class consciousness?

they will rise up and overthrow the bourgeoisie

How do the bourgeoisie prevent the overthrow?

One, through false consciousness.
Two, through alienation.

What is alienation?

Feeling separated from one's work, products, coworkers, and personal creativity.

What are the four types of alienation?

• Alienated from other workers.

• Alienated from the products they create.

• Alienated from the act of working.

• Alienated from their own talents and creativity.

Example of workers are alienated from each other.

In the factories, workers were spaced out so they could not communicate with one another because if they did, they may discuss ways to overthrow those in charge

Example of workers are alienated from the product.

In factories, workers worked on assembly lines,
where they made part of a product and they did
not even see the finished product.

Example of workers are alienated from the act of working.

Workers are doing the same thing over and over
again. Their work is dull and unimaginative. They
are robotic.

Example of workers are alienated from themselves.

Workers do not get a chance to explore other
talents.
For many, they get busy with work and raising a
family that they not get the opportunity to do things
that they were once very passionate about such as
music, art or sports

What is social mobility?

is defined as the movement of individuals or groups from one level to another level.

Social mobility can be _______ or ____________

upward or downward

What would be an example of social mobility?

Upward mobility would be if you are born
into a working-class family and you work your
way up to middle class.

What is Structural social mobility?

As society changes, so do our options for employment. There are new jobs being created all the time and old ones are disappearing.

What is horizontal mobility?

Refers to the movement of a person from one social position to another of the same rank.

Examples of Horizontal mobility?

Emergency room nurse-Surgical technician, Firefighter—Police officer, Doctor—Lawyer.

What is vertical mobility?

The movement of a person from one social rank to
another of a different rank.

Example of vertical mobility?

Nurse—Doctor

What is intergenerational mobility?

Compares the social position of parents and children.

Example of Intergenerational social mobility.

John’s parents were working class and John is now a
part of the upper middle class. John has experienced
upward intergenerational social mobility

What is intragenerational mobility?

Involves the movement of individuals during their life cycles from their first job to the end of their career

Example of Intragenerational social mobility.

My first job was a minimum wage retail worker. Now I am a college professor. I have experienced upward intragenerational social mobility.