Sociological Perspectives on Inequality

Anishinaabek

Indigenous peoples in North America, primarily in Canada.

Haudenosaunee

Confederacy of six Native American nations.

Lūnaapéewak

Indigenous people from the Delaware Valley region.

Chonnonton

Indigenous group historically located in southwestern Ontario.

London Township Treaty

1796 agreement involving land rights in Ontario.

Sombra Treaties

1796 treaties concerning land use in Ontario.

Dish with One Spoon Covenant

Agreement for shared resource management among tribes.

Social Inequality

Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in society.

Meritocracy

Belief that success is based on individual merit.

Sociological Imagination

Understanding personal experiences within broader social contexts.

Social Facts

Patterns of behavior that influence social life.

Equity

Fairness in treatment and opportunity for all individuals.

Equality

Equal status and rights for all individuals.

Social Life

Interactions and relationships among individuals in society.

Myths of Meritocracy

False beliefs about equal opportunity and success.

Testable Statement

Hypothesis that can be empirically verified.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Global objectives for sustainable development (2015-2030).

Collective Behaviour

Actions taken by a group in response to social situations.

Moral Values

Principles that guide behavior regarding right and wrong.

Cynicism

Distrust in the motives of others.

Capitulation

Acceptance of a situation without resistance.

Empirical Challenge

Questioning beliefs based on observed evidence.

Meritocracy

Distribution of roles based on individual traits.

Key Assumptions

Inequalities arise from talent, effort, and choices.

Individual Blame

Meritocracy blames individuals for their circumstances.

Hockey Success

Success in hockey is theoretically based on merit.

Talent

Natural ability contributing to success in sports.

Hard Work

Individual effort necessary for achieving success.

Toughness & Determination

Moral virtues essential for overcoming challenges.

Roger Barnsley

Researcher who studied hockey success patterns.

Statistical Pattern

Most successful players born January to June.

Relative Age Advantage

Early birth dates lead to physical advantages.

Eligibility Cut-off

Age-class hockey cutoff is January 1.

Selection

External factors influencing individual life circumstances.

Streaming

Placement in social situations affecting advantages.

Differentiated Experiences

Unequal outcomes from social processes.

Malcolm Gladwell

Author of Outliers discussing social advantages.

Correlation vs. Causation

Statistical relationship does not imply direct cause.

Family Influence

Family background significantly affects life chances.

Educational Streaming

Early advantages affect schooling types and courses.

Unequal Educational Outcomes

Disparities in suspensions and university admissions.

Carl Philips

Discussed environment's role in opportunity access.

Life Chances

Social factors shaping success and hardship.

Sociological Reflection

Consider personal experiences with selection and streaming.

Correlation

Relationship between two variables; not causation.

Causation

One event directly influences another event.

Social Advantage

Favorable conditions improving life outcomes.

Social Disadvantage

Unfavorable conditions hindering life outcomes.

Equality

All individuals have the same status and opportunities.

Equity

Fair treatment addressing historical social oppressions.

Social Inequality

Gap between advantaged and disadvantaged groups.

Consequential Differences

Differences impacting rights and opportunities.

Preferential Access

Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.

Human Differences

Socially significant traits affecting life outcomes.

C. Wright Mills

Sociologist emphasizing connections between personal lives and history.

Traps of Private Life

Feeling of being stuck in personal troubles.

Historical Change

Transformations in society affecting individual experiences.

Institutional Contradiction

Conflicts within societal structures impacting individuals.

Age of Fact

Era dominated by overwhelming information availability.

Skills of Reason

Ability to process and analyze information critically.

Moral Energy

Emotional and ethical capacity to engage in struggles.

Nonomura et al. 2020

Source discussing equality and equity definitions.

Augie & Fleras

Authors defining social inequality in detail.

IS, p. 11

Textbook reference for inequality definition.

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Social Inequality

Disparities in wealth, status, and opportunities.

Common Sense

Understanding based on popular wisdom and beliefs.

Biological Determinism

Genetic differences explain social group disparities.

Cultural Differences

Inequalities arise from perceived inferior values.

Psychological Explanations

Focus on mental processes affecting behavior.

Social Facts

External structures influencing individual actions.

Structural Analysis

Examines how social structures shape behavior.

Social Privilege

Unseen advantages benefiting certain groups.

Sociological Explanations

Scientific analysis of social forces and inequalities.

C. Wright Mills

Sociologist emphasizing connection between personal and societal issues.

The Sociological Imagination

Understanding individual lives within broader social contexts.

Empirical Observation

Systematic collection of data to study phenomena.

Theories

Broad conceptual models explaining social behavior.

Norms

Social rules guiding behavior in society.

Values

Beliefs that shape societal standards and behaviors.

Social Structures

Organized patterns of relationships within society.

Prejudice

Preconceived opinion not based on reason.

Social Forces

Influences that shape societal behavior and outcomes.

Individual Choice

Decisions made by individuals based on circumstances.

Invisible Aspects

Societal elements not easily perceived or recognized.

Unequal Distribution

Disparity in access to resources and opportunities.

Lucid Summations

Clear understanding of complex social phenomena.

Sociological Imagination

Understanding personal troubles and public issues together.

Personal Troubles

Individual problems faced by a person.

Public Issues

Social problems affecting large groups.

Example of Unemployment

Individual unemployment vs. national unemployment rates.

Economic Institutions

Organizations influencing economic policies and practices.

Political Institutions

Structures governing political behavior and decisions.

Survival Trauma

Psychological impact of survival situations.

Binge Drinking

Excessive alcohol consumption in short time.

Social Relations

Connections between individuals in society.

Social Structure

Organized patterns of relationships in society.

Inequality

Disparities in resources and opportunities.

C. Wright Mills

Sociologist known for the concept of sociological imagination.