Exam 8: Class and Stratification in the United States

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,two-year or four-year college degrees have replaced the high school diploma as an entry-level requirement for employment in many __________ occupations,including medical technicians and nurses.This social class represents an estimated 30 percent of the U.S.population.

__________ refers to a reduction in the proficiency needed to perform a specific job that leads to a corresponding reduction in the wages for that job.It has resulted from the introduction of computers and other technology.

The primary beneficiaries of social welfare programs are not poor.Some analysts estimate that approximately __________ of all social welfare benefits are paid to people who do not qualify as "poor."

Sociologist Dennis Gilbert compares the distribution of income to a National pie that has been sliced into portions.In 2008,the wealthiest 20 Percent of households received almost __________ percent of the total Income pie.

According to the sociologist Erik Wright's Marxian model,persons in the ___________ have substantial control over the means of production and over workers.However,these upper-level supervisors and professionals typically do not participate in key corporate decisions such as how to invest profit.

Discuss sociologist Erik Wright's Marxian Model of the U.S.class structure.

Lack of affordable housing is one central problem brought about by economic inequality.Another concern is substandard housing,which refers to facilities that have inadequate heating,air conditioning,plumbing,electricity,or structural durability.

__________ focus on microlevel concerns and usually do not analyze larger structural factors that contribute to inequality and poverty.

In a __________,marriage is endogamous,meaning that people are allowed to marry only within their own group.

One of the most important characteristics of systems of stratification is Their degree of flexibility.In an open system of stratification:

The problems of unemployment,underemployment,and poverty-level wages are even greater for people of color and young people in large urban centers,where the unemployment rate for African Americans is __________ when compared to whites.

Discuss your personal perspective of the American Dream.

About two-thirds of all adults living in poverty are women.Sociologist Diana Pearce coined the term "feminization of poverty" which refers to the trend in which women are disproportionately represented among individuals living in poverty.

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.

Describe what is meant by the American Dream.

Sociologist Max Weber suggested that a person who has a high level of prestige is assumed to receive deferential and respectful treatment from others.He noted all the following to be true EXCEPT that:

Individuals that are poor,seldom employed,and caught in long-term deprivation that results from low levels of education and income and high rates of unemployment are part of the:

In discussing wealth,sociologist Max Weber identified entrepreneurs as a class of wealthy individuals who live off their investments and do not have to work.

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

Discuss U.S.stratification in the future.