SOC 110 Test 2

Social stratification

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

1) Social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences.
2) Social stratification carries over from generation to generation.
3) Social stratification is universal but variable.
4) Social stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs as well.

social mobility

a change in position within the social hierarchy, upward or downward. Can also be horizontally in switching to another job of similar social level

caste systems

closed systems allowing little change in social position. social stratification based on ascription, or birth

class systems

open systems that permit much more social mobility. social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement.

meritocracy

social stratification based on personal merit. A pure meritocracy has never existed

Status consistency

degree of uniformity in a person’s social standing across various dimensions of social inequality.

caste system: limited social mobility, high status consistency
class system: greater mobility, less status consistency

Low status consistency means that it is harder to define people’s social position.

structural social mobility

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

Davis—Moore thesis

social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of society. Structural-Functional

the greater the functional importance of a position, the more rewards a society attaches to it.

capitalists

people who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits. The factory owners

proletarians

people who sell their labor for wages. The factory workers

alienation

the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

blue-collar occupations

lower-prestige jobs that involve mostly manual labor

white-collar occupations,

higher-prestige jobs that involve mostly mental activity

socioeconomic status

a composite ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality

conspicuous

consumption

buying and using products because of the “statement” they make about social position

income

earnings from work or investments

wealth

total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts

power

income and wealth are sources of power

Occupational prestige

Work generates both income and a level of prestige. White-collar jobs offer more income and prestige than blue-collar jobs

upper class

5 percent of the U.S. population; average income above $306,000

upper-upper class

less than 1% of the U.S. population almost always the result of birth, born in to “old money.”

lower-upper class/new upper-class

the “working rich” who earned their money rather than inheriting it from their ancestors

middle class

40 to 45 percent of the U.S. population and average income $67,000-$306,000.

upper-middle class has significant wealth; average-middles have less prestige, white-collar jobs, and most attend college

working class

30-35 percent of the U.S. population; average income $38,000-$67,000. lower-middle class do blue-collar work; one-fifth of children complete a four-year college degree

lower class

20 percent of U.S. population; average income below $38,000. Most people lack financial security; many live below the poverty line; just 76 percent of children complete high school.

intragenerational social mobility

a change in social position occurring during a person’s lifetime

intergenerational social mobility

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