Exam 8: Class and Stratification in the United States

______________ poverty exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living.

According to sociologist Karl Marx,the capitalist class maintains its position at the top of the class structure by control of the society's superstructure,which is composed of the government,schools,churches,and other social institutions that produce and disseminate ideas perpetuating the existing system of exploitation.

The U.S.Social Security Administration has established an official poverty line.The poverty line is computed by:

Describe what is meant by the American Dream.

In relation to consequences of inequality,discuss how your family's social class influenced the following areas of your life when growing up: physical health,mental health,and education.

When sociologists define poverty,they define absolute poverty as a state that exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living.

Which social theorist thought that capitalist structures would eventually be overthrown?

Conflict theorists stress that schools are agencies for reproducing the capitalist class system and perpetuating inequality in society.Great disparities exist in the distribution of educational resources because funding for education primarily comes from local property taxes.

In relation to consequences of inequality in education,compare functionalist and conflict perspectives.

Why is inequality growing in the United States? According to symbolic interactionists,the answer lies in the concept of competition-differing rewards provide motivation for some people to work harder and achieve more.

According to sociologist Karl Marx,the______________(capitalist class)consists of those who own the means of production-the land and capital necessary for factories and mines.

The value of all of a person's or family's economic assets,including income,personal property, and income-producing property is referred to as:

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,persons in the class (about 14 percent of the U.S.population)are often highly educated professionals who have built careers as physicians,attorneys,stockbrokers,or corporate managers.

According to the sociologist Erik Wright's Marxian model,all of the following are criteria for placement in the class structure EXCEPT:

Based on the sociologist Erik Wright's Marxian model,the______________class is made up of skilled blue-collar workers,which include electricians,plumbers,and carpenters,and unskilled blue-collar workers,which include janitors and gardeners.

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,members of the class come from prominent families who possess great wealth that they have held for several generations.Family names such as Rockefeller and Kennedy are well known and often held in high esteem.

Utilizing sociologists Dennis Gilbert's model of the United States class system,locate where you are currently or locate where you aspire to be.

Social movement experienced by family members from one generation to the next is:

The shift from manufacturing to service occupations in the U.S.economy has contributed to:

According to Max Weber,the______________consists of white-collar workers,public officials,managers,and professionals.