Chapter 8: Social Stratification and Chapter 10: Race & Ethnicity

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on social stratification and race & ethnicity.

Social Inequality

The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Stratification

The division of society into different social classes or strata, often based on factors like wealth, income, education, or power.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions.

Income

Money received, especially on a regular basis, for work or through investments.

Wealth

The total value of all assets owned by an individual or household, minus any debts.

Ascribed Status

Social status that is assigned at birth or involuntarily acquired later in life.

Achieved Status

Social status that is attained through personal effort, choices, and accomplishments.

Class System

A hierarchical social ranking based on wealth, income, education, and occupation.

Caste System

A rigid social structure where individuals are assigned specific roles and statuses at birth, often linked to their family lineage.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of goods and the means to produce them.

Absolute Poverty

A condition where an individual cannot meet the basic needs for survival.

Relative Poverty

A condition where an individual is unable to maintain a minimum standard of living compared to others in their society.

Feminization of Poverty

The increasing representation of women in the population living in poverty, often due to systemic inequalities.

Social Mobility

The ability of individuals or families to move up or down the social hierarchy.

Inter-generational Mobility

Change in social status between different generations within the same family.

Structural Mobility

Social mobility that is attributed to societal changes rather than individual effort.

Horizontal Mobility

Movement within the same social level, such as changing jobs but remaining in the same income bracket.

Vertical Mobility

Movement up or down the social hierarchy.

Functionalist Perspective

View stratification as a system that contributes to the overall functioning and stability of society.

Conflict Perspective

View stratification as a system of inequality that benefits one group at the expense of others.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class that owns the means of production.

Proletariat

The working class that does not own the means of production and sells labor for wages.

Class Consciousness

Awareness of one's social class and its interests.

False Consciousness

A lack of awareness among the working class about their position in the class system.

Social Construction of Race

The idea that race is not a biologically inherent characteristic but a concept created by social practices and beliefs.

Prejudice

An unfounded or biased opinion about a group of people.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment of individuals based on their group membership.

Racism

Belief that one race is superior to another, leading to discrimination and prejudice based on race.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others.

Institutional Discrimination

Discrimination that is built into the policies and practices of social institutions.

White Privilege

The unearned advantages and benefits that white people experience in society.

Glass Ceiling

An unofficial barrier to advancement in a profession, particularly affecting women and minorities.

Assimilation

The process by which minority groups adopt the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture.

Pluralism

A societal arrangement in which different groups maintain their distinctiveness while coexisting.

Amalgamation

The blending of different racial or ethnic groups to form a new group.

Segregation

The enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups in a community.

Genocide

The systematic extermination of a particular group of people.