Exam 3 Gen Sociology Mortensen UARK

social stratification

is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources

Individuals over age 65 have the highest rate of poverty

False

life chances

refers to the extent to which individuals have access to important societal resources such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. Weber.

social mobility

Movement of individuals or groups from one position in a society's stratification system to another

intergenerational mobility

the social movement experienced by family members from one generation to the next

intragenerational mobility

the social movement of individuals within their own lifetime

Slavery

an extreme form of stratification in which some people are owned or controlled by others for the purpose of economic or sexual exploitation

More people are enslaved today than in world history

True

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Prohibits slavery in all forms.

Caste System

A closed system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parents ascribed characteristics. Is an ascribed status. Illegal, but still present.

class system

a type of open stratification based on the ownership and control of resources and on the type of work that people do. Most open & mobile system.

capitalist class (bourgeoisie)

Karl Marx's term for those who own the means of production

working class (proletariat)

Karl Marx's term for those who must sell their labor to the owners in order to earn enough money to survive

Alienation

a feeling of powerlessness and estrangement from other people and from oneself (Marx)

class conflict

Marx's term for the struggle between capitalists and working class

wealth

The value of a person's or family's economic assets, including income, personal property, and income-producing property

prestige

the respect or regard that a person or status position is given by others

Power

the ability of one person or group to get another person to act in accordance to achieve their goals

socioeconomic status

Refers to a combined measure of factors such as income, occupation, and education.

The Marxian Model of the U.S. Class Structure

capitalist class and working class

Income

the economic gain derived from wages, salaries, income transfers (governmental aid), and ownership of property

The official poverty line

based on what the federal government considers to be the minimum amount of money required for living at a subsistence level

US poverty line

1/3 income spent on food

family of 4, $28,290.

Single, $13,860

relative poverty

exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living

absolute poverty

exists when people do not have the means to secure the most basic necessities of life

Who are the poor?

Age - 1/5 18 and under

Gender - feminization of poverty

Race/ethnicity

Economic and structural sources of poverty

Functionalist Perspective of Stratification

Inequality is inevitable and necessary. (Davis-Moore thesis)

job deskilling

a reduction in the proficiency needed to perform a specific job that leads to a corresponding reduction in the wages for that job

social construction of race

society labels those differences people consider important while ignoring other characteristics.

Meritocracy

a hierarchy in which all positions are rewarded based on people's ability and credentials

Elements of Social construction of race

1. less than 5% of DNA

2. More variation within categories than between

3. racial purity a "myth"

4. Categories vary over time & by culture (racial formation)

5. 2000 US Census first to have "mixed race" category

Conflict Perspective of Stratification

People with economic and political power are able to shape and distribute rewards, resources, privileges, and opportunities in society for their own benefit

ethnic group

a collection of people distinguished, by others or by themselves, primarily on the basis of cultural or nationality characteristics

conflict perspective

Those in power use ideology to maintain their favored positions at the expense of others.

Symbolic Interactionist perspective of Stratification

Deference is a type of ceremonial activity that functions as symbolic means whereby appreciation is regularly conveyed to a recipient. (Goffman)

conspicuous consumption

Buying and using products because of the "statement" they make about social position

core nations

wealthy nations (U.S., Japan, England, Germany)

periphery nations

poor nations, natural resources (Ethiopia, Haiti, Afghanistan)

semi-periphery nations

developing nations (Brazil, China, Mexico)

Dependency Theory

Core nations exploit the periphery nations.

Example of Dependency Theory

Profits from gold and diamonds go primarily to corporations based in wealthy nations

Modernization Theory

Poor nations benefit from development especially if they embrace modernization (abandon old traditions, promote literacy, and other modern institutions) (like functionalist)

Globalization

World wide integration of economies, cultures, policies

multinational corporation

a commercial organization that is headquartered in one country but does business throughout the world (ex- Walmart, Tyson, Nike)

Of top 100 economies,

About 1/2 are nations, 1/2 multi-national (ex- Walmart has higher GDP than Sweden)

Those who are poor typically have fewer life chances, which means they also have fewer opportunities to obtain

money, medical, property

dominant group

a group of people who have more power in a society than any of the subordinate groups

frustration-aggression hypothesis

states that people who are frustrated in their efforts to achieve a highly desired goal will respond with a pattern of aggression toward others

scapegoat

a person or group that is incapable of offering resistance to the hostility or aggression of others, target of blame

authoritarian personality

a personality type characterized by excessive conformity, submissiveness to authority, intolerance, insecurity, a high level of superstition, and rigid, stereotypic thinking

Discrimination

unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members

Genocide

the deliberate, systematic killing of an entire group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

individual discrimination

discrimination carried out by one person against another

institutional discrimination

the denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups that results from the normal operations of a society

Feagin's Four Major Types of Discrimination

1. isolate discrimination

2. small-group discrimination

3. direct institutionalized discrimination

4. indirect institutionalized discrimination

institutional discrimination is not

legal, but still prevalent (easy to demonstrate) - loans, jobs, sentencing, profiling.

contact hypothesis

prejudice is reduced when we interact and cooperate with people from groups different than our own, including through shared goal and social support.

Symbolic interactionalist

assimilation

a process by which members of subordinate racial and ethnic groups become absorbed into the dominant culture

subordinate group

a group of people who have less power than the dominant group

assimilation examples

1. Cultural (acculturation) "Anglo Conformity"

2. Structural (integration)

3. Biological (amalgamation)

4. Psychological (individual)

ethnic pluralism

the coexistence of a variety of distinct racial and ethnic groups within one society

Segregation

the spatial and social separation of categories of people by race, ethnicity, class, gender, and/or religion

de facto segregation

Segregation resulting from economic or social conditions or personal choice.

de jure segregation

Racial segregation that occurs because of laws or administrative decisions by public agencies.

gendered racism

the interactive effect of racism and sexism on the exploitation of women of color

Native American and Alaskan Natives

Suffered genocide, forced migration, and forced assimilation.

Tribal Colleges

Helping with social mobility

African Americans

13% of population. Rising middle class and representation.

White Ethnic Americans

Refers to a diversity of immigrants from Ireland, Eastern and Southern European countries

Experienced high levels of prejudice and discrimination

Anti-Semitism

Asian Americans

Fastest growing segment of US population.

1882 Exclusion Act

stopped immigration from China until 1943

Relocation Centers

the Japanese internment camps in the US, to stop any (believed at the time) spying, conspiracy, etc.

Many fought with US in Korean and Vietnam war

Korean Americans

Many in medical fields

Filipino Americans

Indochinese Americans

Military Connection

Model Minority

A stereotype that characterizes all Asians and Asian Americans as hardworking and serious and so a "good" minority, having higher median income than whites.

Japanese Americans

Faced forced expulsion during WW2. Many lost homes and businesses, were American citizens, and had adult children serving in the military.

Latinos/Hispanic Americans

Largest minority in the US. More than 55 millli.

Puerto Ricans

Latinos/Hispanic Americans who hold US citizenship - vote on status.

Cuban Americans

Latino/Hispanic Americans - Capitalists - came with skills and resources.

Middle Eastern Americans

Arab, Iranian (Persian). Majority are Christians. 80% are citizens.

Conflict Perspective on Gender Stratification

Gendered division of labor results from male control of and dominance over women and resources. Major Religions promote patriarchy

Interactionist perspective on Gender Stratification

Male as Inclusive term (Mankind)

Male term base; fe male derivative

Male term listed first (Man & Wife)

Over time, equivalent terms gain meanings - male gains positive meanings while female gains negative (and often sexual) meanings

(Master - mistress; Sir - Madam; Lord - Dame)

Conversation Styles

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

Gender stereotypes are strengthened by socialization

Societies dominated by men much more common than those dominated by women, though not universal.

Sociobiologists

see contrasts in brain structure in sociological perspective. Women have more connections, men have more gray matter.

Feminism

the belief that women and men are equal and should be valued equally and have equal rights

Feminist movement in US

Born in 1848.

1st Wave - 19th Amendment 1920 (Voting rights)

2nd wave emerged in 1960's & and came to full force in 1970's when ERA passed in 1972, never ratified.

ERA

Section 1 - Equality of rights under law.

Section 2 - Congress shall have the power to enforce

Section 3 - Amendment shall take effect two years after ratification

Women's earnings

80 cents for each $1 men earn. Has nothing to do with career choices.

My birth dictates what jobs I can take

ascribed status

Economic position determines what jobs and opportunities I have

Class system

The President has the power to send troops wherever he wants

Power

interactional functionalist

stratification is

universal

once you have a surplus, there's always someone who has more.

Necessary (because of Interdependence)

Conflict theorist

The HAVES use all means possible to EXPAND or RETAIN their power.

ex - majority of House of Reps are millionaires, while average american is not.

According to these theorists, they don't really represent us.

Symbolic Interactionalists

Gold chains, nice cars.

Objective - Income and wealth.

Subjective - Prestige

Top 3%

have 53% of the country's wealth.

Top 10%

have 75% of the wealth.

bottom 20%

have negative wealth (debt, student loans, mortgage, medical debt)

poverty measured in the united states by

if you have to spend 1/3 of your income on food.

12%

of the US population is under the poverty line