Sociology: Social Inequality, Stratification, and Change

Social stratification

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

social mobility

a change in position within the social hierarchy

caste system

social stratification based on ascription or birth ( closed system, allows little change in social position )

class system

social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement ( open system, permits much more social mobility )

meritocracy

social stratification based on personal merit

status consistency

degree of uniformity in a persons social standing across various dimensions of social inequality

structural social mobility

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

ideology

cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements, including patterns of inequality

bourgeoisie

people who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit for profit

proletariat

people who sell their labor for wages

alienation

the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

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 over a certain time period

wealth

the total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts

upward social mobility

earning a degree, higher paying job, marrying someone with good income

downward social mobility

dropping out of school, divorce, losing jobs

intragenerational social mobility

a change in social position occurring during a persons life time

intergenerational social mobility

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

horizontal social mobility

changing jobs at the same class level

relative poverty

measures poverty by comparing those at the bottom of a society and the rest of society

absolute poverty

absence of enough money to secure life's necessities

feminization of poverty

trend of women making up an increasing proportion of the poor

social inequality

the unequal distribution of resources, power, and privilege among individuals and groups in a society

social change

the transformation of cultural and social institutions over time. This is characterized by shifts in human interactions and relationships, often manifesting as changes in norms, values, behaviors, and social structures within a society.

prejudice

preconceived opinion (prejudgment) that is not based on reason or actual experience

discrimination

the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

in-group

A group a person identifies with and feels that he or she belongs to

out-group

A group with which a person does not identify and does not feel as if he or she belongs

ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.

stereotypes

A mental image of members of a group that exaggerates or oversimplifies their characteristics