Social Stratification and Race Concepts

A collection of flashcards summarizing key vocabulary and concepts from the chapters on social stratification and race, aimed at enhancing understanding and retention for exam preparation.

Social stratification

The categorization of society's people into rankings based on factors like wealth, income, education, family background, and power.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A position within a social hierarchy based on combinations of factors like income, education, and occupation.

Closed system

A type of stratification system that does not allow individuals to shift levels or permit social relationships between levels.

Open system

A stratification system based on achievements that allows movements and interactions between classes.

Caste system

A closed stratification system where social standing is determined at birth, affecting aspects like occupation and marriage.

Meritocracy

A hypothetical system where social stratification is determined by personal effort and merit.

Status consistency

The consistency of an individual's rank across factors that determine social stratification.

Race

A category of people sharing biologically transmitted traits deemed socially significant by society.

Ethnicity

Shared cultural heritage, typically involving common ancestors, language, and religion.

Dominant Group

The group that controls central institutional spheres and defines standards of beauty and social worth.

Minority Group

A group that has less power than the dominant group, typically poorer and facing discrimination.

White Privilege

Implicit advantages that white individuals have relative to non-white individuals.

Racism

The belief that race determines human ability, leading to the belief that some races are superior to others.

Discrimination

Unfair and harmful treatment of individuals based on their group membership.

Stereotypes

Rigid and often inaccurate images that reflect beliefs rather than facts about a group.