SOC 106 Exam 2- Turner

Social Stratification

Refers to society's categorization of its people into groups based on socioeconomic factors like wealth, income, race, education, ethnicity, gender, occupation, social status, and prestige.

Social Class

-open to change

-more opportunity to change

What is social mobility?

Changes in position within the social hierarchy.

What are the four types of social mobility at the individual level?

Vertical, horizontal, intergenerational, and intragenerational mobility.

Status, Power, Wealth, and Income all are effected by...

Gender and race, which can prevents someone form moving up in any of those and can cause in imbalance of them as well.

Structural-Functionalism

a conceptual framework positing that each element of society serves a particular function to keep the entire system in equilibrium

What does Conflict Theory suggest about social stratification?

Stratification reflects the view of dominant groups.

What is the basis of all social conflict according to Conflict Theory?

Conflict between groups/classes.

In Conflict Theory, what do dominant groups control?

The means of production.

What do subordinate groups do in the context of Conflict Theory?

They sell their labor for wages.

How are resources distributed according to Conflict Theory?

Resources are not distributed equally.

Is inequality in power and resources considered inevitable in Conflict Theory?

Not necessarily inevitable.

What role do social institutions play in Conflict Theory?

They reflect competition and help maintain an unequal structure.

What are key concepts in Conflict Theory?

Power and authority.

What does economic competition do to the wealthy according to Conflict Theory?

It unfairly privileges the already wealthy.

Symbolic Interactionism

The principle is that stratification affects peoples beliefs, lifestyles, daily interaction, and conceptions of themselves. Visible signs of wealth occur in everyday interactions. How so? Through consumption via the products you buy that make statements about your social position. It gives us a picture of the good life. As a result stratification relies on objects of interaction to support itself. We treat people based on the symbols they give off.

The four principals of stratification

1.) Inequality- unequal distributions of resources and opportunities.

2.) Income Inequality- salaries

3.) Wealth Inequality- net worth

4.) Social Inequality- social positions or statuses.

What is a characteristic of open systems regarding social mobility?

There is much more social mobility.

True or False: In open systems, social mobility can go up or down.

True

1 multiple choice option

What type of status is more emphasized in open systems?

Achieved status is more emphasized than ascribed status.

What system is associated with meritocracy?

Open systems are associated with meritocracy.

What does meritocracy imply in open systems?

Success is based on merit and achievements.

Closed Systems

-extremely rigid

-little social mobility

-based on ascribed status

What is a class system?

A system of social hierarchy that allows individuals movement between classes.

What are the four chief bases of class?

Ownership of wealth, occupation, income, and education.

What question does the class system raise?

Whether or not this is the best system.

What is a caste system?

A system in which people are born into a social standing that they will retain their entire lives.

In which country is the caste system often seen?

India

3 multiple choice options

Estate System

-monarchies where someone is chosen to work by "God"

-feudalism

-not necessarily born into the system

Horizontal Mobility

Changing positions but not changing standing in social hierarchy.

Vertical Mobility

Rise or fall from one position in the hierarchy to the other.

Intergenerational Mobility

Between parents and children.

Intragenerational Mobility

Over the course of a lifetime.

Factors affecting social mobility

1.) Education and access to quality education

2.)Occupational opportunities and economic conditions

3.) Gender and race/ethnicity disparities

Is society truly meritocratic?

No, often times race, gender, and ethnicity impact how many resources are available to you and therefore how likely you are to succeed.

What is the definition of gender as a social construct?

Gender is shaped by social behavior, human relationships, and civilization rather than biological factors.

What is gender stratification?

Gender stratification is the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege across genders.

What are some examples of gender stratification?

Examples include patriarchy, matriarchy, sexism, hegemonic masculinity, and hegemonic femininity.

What do stereotypes related to gender create?

Stereotypes create expectations of how individuals should behave based on their gender.

Masculinity and Femininity as Defined by Patriarchy

It establishes the roles of each gender and their history. This results in their behavior, thinking, excuses, and justification.

What role does family play in socialization?

Family provides norms and influences the social class of a child.

When does gender socialization begin?

Gender socialization begins at birth.

How do toys influence gender socialization?

The toys given to children can reinforce gender roles.

What traditional roles are often assigned in families?

Typically, one parent is seen as the breadwinner and the other as the caretaker.

How does family influence parental roles?

Family dynamics can affect the roles and responsibilities of parents.

What role do schools play in socialization?

Schools help broaden the agents of socialization by exposing kids to peer groups.

What are peer groups?

Peer groups are social groups consisting of members with common interests, social rank, and ages.

How do schools influence gender roles?

Schools institute dress codes and punishments that are more specific depending on one's gender.

The media as an agent of socialization

The media influences gender identity by providing role models and portraying genders in stereotypical ways. Some groups are often underrepresented in the media specifically minorities.

What is workplace gender inequality?

The degree of difference in earnings, hours worked, or status/prestige in the workplace based on gender.

Do males or females earn more for similar work on average?

Males earn more than females for similar work on average.

Who works more hours on average, males or females?

Males work more hours than females on average.

Who holds higher status positions more often, males or females?

Males hold higher status positions more often.

Who faces more discrimination and workplace penalties on average, males or females?

Females face more discrimination and workplace penalties than males on average.

Political Gender Inequality

28% of congressional seats, 51% of the population.

School Outcomes

There are different expectations for boys and girls in schools. Girls are more likely to be dress coded and heavily punished for cigs and other drugs. However, boys are more likely to go to jail for drugs, alcohol, etc.

Family Outcomes

In traditional families men are supposed to be the breadwinners while women stay home and watch the kids. Dad is babysitting while mom is taking care of the kids.

Race

A socially constructed category, used to categorize people who share biological traits that society thinks is important.

Ethnicity

"Socially constructed categories based on cultural traits that a society finds important, rather than strictly biological traits." Defined by shared cultural heritage.

Non-observable. Multiple and fluid.

Race as a social construction

The concepts and identities associated with race and ethnicity change over time and space. Race is a "set of stories" to organize reality and see race.

Racialization

The process of categorizing, differentiating, and attributing a particular racial character to a person or group of people

Race as a Myth

There are no biological criteria for dividing races into distinct categories

Race as Reality

One or more inherited physical characteristics that distinguish one group from another

How does racial segregation impact wealth?

Many minorities struggle to rise in class due to racial segregation.

What is a health statistic related to racial segregation?

Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy than white women.

What factors contribute to the health disparities between black and white women during pregnancy?

Variation in healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias.

How does racial segregation affect policing?

Many policies are put in place to prevent minorities from rising in class.

What impact does racial segregation have on housing?

It leads to an inability to get loans and practices like red-lining.

If a young adult in the United States is told that race is a social construct, she may struggle with this concept because of the organization of social life that makes the ideas of distinct racial groups seem natural or obvious.

This means that social practices make race socially real and may even create the idea that race is biologically or objectively real. Of the possibilities below, which one best demonstrates a social practice that makes race socially real?

the large separation of marriage and reproductive communities by race

3 multiple choice options

Dobby and Mark are arguing about the nature of social inequality. Mark thinks inequality exists because it helps society run smoothly by, for example, creating incentives for people to take on critically important jobs. Dobby completely disagrees and argues instead that society is shaped by dominant groups who coerce the rest of society to go along with the unequal system they create and from which they benefit. Dobby is arguing from the perspective of

conflict theory

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of gender as a social construct?

The varying expectations across cultures about what behaviors, occupations, and roles are considered appropriate for men and women

3 multiple choice options

While visiting a toy store, Maria noticed that toys were separated into two distinct sections-one for girls and one for boys. The "girls" section featured pink packaging, dolls, and kitchen sets, while the "boys" section showcased blue packaging, action figures, and building sets. This division reflects which sociological concept related to gender?

gender socialization

3 multiple choice options

Dom is often complimented for being "strong and tough," while his sister Mia is praised for being "sweet and nurturing." Which concept does this anecdote demonstrate in terms of how society views and constructs gender roles?

gender norms

3 multiple choice options

An example of horizontal social mobility is a(n)

barista changing the Starbucks location at which he works

3 multiple choice options

Which of the following social systems is characterized by rigid social positions based on ascribed status and limited social mobility, whereas the other allows for more social mobility and achievement-based social positions?

Closed systems

3 multiple choice options

In many ways, the effects of social stratification are often palpable yet misunderstood. Take for instance, the tale of two childhood friends, Emily and Jake, who grew up side by side. Despite their shared upbringing and similar aspirations, their paths diverged sharply as they entered adulthood. Emily, bom into a family of doctors and lawyers, effortlessly secured a prestigious job at a renowned law firm. Meanwhile, Jake, whose parents worked blue-collar jobs, struggled to find stable employment despite his talents and hard work.

How does the anecdote of Emily and Jake exemplify the distinction between social stratification and individual differences?

Social stratification is unaffected by individual efforts or talents

3 multiple choice options