Social Stratification

Flashcards designed to help understand and memorize key concepts related to social stratification.

What does social stratification refer to?

A system of ranking members of society based on various factors such as wealth, power, and prestige.

According to Davis & Moore, what is a key characteristic of social stratification?

It categorizes members of society into positions that are higher or lower in relation to each other.

What is the primary difference between a caste system and a class system?

A caste system is based on birth with limited social mobility, while a class system allows for social mobility based on education and skills.

What does the Davis-Moore thesis suggest about social positions?

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

Who are the bourgeoisie and proletariat in Marxist theory?

Bourgeoisie are the owners of production, whereas proletariat are the workers who sell their labor.

What are the three dimensions of social stratification according to Max Weber?

Class, status, and power.

What does 'status consistency' refer to in social stratification?

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

What is 'conspicuous consumption'?

The practice of buying and using products to display social status.

How does technology affect social stratification according to the Kuznets curve?

Greater technological sophistication is generally accompanied by more pronounced social stratification.

What is the structural-functional approach to social stratification?

It views stratification as a system of unequal rewards that benefits society as a whole.

What is the main critique of social stratification from the social-conflict perspective?

It argues that stratification divides society, benefiting some individuals at the expense of others.

What is one argument for social stratification provided by the symbolic-interaction approach?

It suggests that stratification influences everyday interactions and individuals' perceptions of self-worth.