Social Stratification

Flashcards covering key concepts in social stratification, including theories, class structures, and social mobility.

What is the main argument of Davis and Moore's functionalist theory of stratification?

Stratification is functionally necessary for society because it ensures that the most talented people train for and fill the most important jobs.

According to Davis and Moore, why do some roles in society provide high pay and status?

To attract the most talented people to fill functionally important roles.

What is a key criticism of the Davis and Moore theory?

Many jobs vital to society have relatively low pay while high pay may be linked to power.

According to Marx, what determines class membership?

Economic factors, specifically ownership or non-ownership of the means of production.

What are the two main classes in capitalist society according to Karl Marx?

The bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers).

What is 'false class consciousness' as described by Marx?

When the proletariat are unaware of the true nature of social relationships under capitalism, influenced by ruling-class ideology.

How did Max Weber define social class?

Classes are formed in the labor market where one class hires labor and another sells their labor.

What are 'life chances' according to Weber?

People's chances of being successful in life and opportunities in education, health, etc., related to their social class.

Besides economic factors, what else did Weber emphasize in determining life chances?

Non-economic factors such as status and power (political influence).

What does social stratification describe?

The way society is structured into a hierarchy of unequal strata or layers.

What is social inequality?

The uneven distribution of resources (such as money and power) and opportunities.

What are the main criteria by which people tend to be stratified in the UK today?

Social class, gender, ethnicity, and age.

What is the difference between ascribed and achieved status?

Ascribed status is fixed at birth, while achieved status is earned on the basis of merit.

What is inter-generational social mobility?

Movement between the generations of a family, like moving into a different class than their parents.

What is wealth?

The ownership of assets such as houses and land as well as savings and shares.

What is income?

The flow of resources that individuals and households receive over a specific period of time, such as wages.

Describe absolute poverty.

When someone's income is insufficient to obtain the minimum needed to survive.

Describe relative poverty.

When someone's income is well below average, so they are poor compared with others in their society.

What did Goldthorpe et al. (1969) study, and what was their primary conclusion?

The Affluent Worker Study tested the embourgeoisement thesis, but rejected it, arguing that affluent workers were part of a 'new' working class with privatized lifestyles.

According to the lecturers content, what is gender pay gap?

The gender pay gap persists because women are more likely than men to work in low-paid and part-time jobs.