Question 1

According to social reproduction theories, how is structured inequality reproduced?

Accepted Answer

According to social reproduction theories, structured inequality is reproduced through various social institutions such as education, family, and the economy. These institutions perpetuate existing social hierarchies by passing on advantages and disadvantages from one generation to the next. For example, in the education system, children from privileged backgrounds are more likely to attend high-quality schools and receive better resources and support, leading to better academic and career opportunities. In contrast, children from disadvantaged backgrounds often attend underfunded schools with fewer resources, leading to limited opportunities for social mobility. Similarly, within the family, wealth and resources are passed down from parents to their children, perpetuating economic inequality. In this way, structured inequality is reproduced through the interplay of various social institutions and their unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.

Question 2

Wolf (1976) found women's jobs are generally stepping stones to more prestigious occupations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

In the monopoly sector of the economy, wages and prices are primarily determined by market forces.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Which of the following is consistent with the dual labor-market thesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  in the secondary labor market, jobs are characterized by greater stability, high wages, good working conditions, etc. 
B)  in the primary labor market, there is lack of job stability, high turnover, poor working conditions, etc. 
C)  systematic relationship exists between race/ethnicity, gender, and position in the labor market 
D)  mobility, earnings, and other outcomes for workers are contingent upon individual effort 
A)  in the secondary labor market, jobs are characterized by greater stability, high wages, good working conditions, etc. 
B)  in the primary labor market, there is lack of job stability, high turnover, poor working conditions, etc. 
C)  systematic relationship exists between race/ethnicity, gender, and position in the labor market 
D)  mobility, earnings, and other outcomes for workers are contingent upon individual effort

Question 5

Firms within the competitive sector tend to:

Accepted Answer

A)  be labor intensive 
B)  have international markets 
C)  have large numbers of workers 
D)  have high productivity per worker 
A)  be labor intensive 
B)  have international markets 
C)  have large numbers of workers 
D)  have high productivity per worker

Question 6

Using social constructionist theory, develop a convincing argument that social inequality is socially constructed.

Accepted Answer

The social constructionist theory argues

Question 7

Critics argue that the functionalist theory of social stratification:

Accepted Answer

A)  negelcts the dysfunctions of stratification 
B)  is concerned only with economic rewards 
C)  stresses the importance of discrimination too heavily 
D)  does not take into account differences in levels of talent 
A)  negelcts the dysfunctions of stratification 
B)  is concerned only with economic rewards 
C)  stresses the importance of discrimination too heavily 
D)  does not take into account differences in levels of talent

Question 8

Davis and Moore have developed a highly accurate measure of the functional importance of occupational positions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Social reproduction theories are built on a functionalist model of society and are often aligned with Durkheim's views on inequality.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

In the dual labor-market thesis, there is generally a great deal of intermarket mobility.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Identify the key differences between neoclassical and dual-labor-market theories in accounting for differences in earnings. What 
 does the latter theory take into account, which is ignored by neoclassical theory?

Accepted Answer

The key differences between neoclassical

Question 12

Schwalbe (2008) suggests that the placement of groups of people into particular categories initiated and justified the theft, extortion, and exploitation that led to unequal distributions of valuable resources among racial and ethnic groups in the early United States.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Outline the basic assertions of the Davis/Moore functional theory of social stratification. Identify its major strengths and  weaknesses.

Accepted Answer

The Davis/Moore functional theory of soc

Question 14

MacLeod's (1987) study found that the Brothers were less inclined to believe in the American Dream than were the Hallway Hangers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the neoclassical labor-market theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  a relatively free and open market exists in which individuals compete for position 
B)  position in the market depends heavily on the individual efforts and human capital 
C)  wages depend on the power of a given position 
D)  there are automatic mechanisms that correct imbalances between input and rewards 
A)  a relatively free and open market exists in which individuals compete for position 
B)  position in the market depends heavily on the individual efforts and human capital 
C)  wages depend on the power of a given position 
D)  there are automatic mechanisms that correct imbalances between input and rewards

Question 16

In Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction:

Accepted Answer

A)  it provides little hope for meaningful social change within the social order 
B)  culture has an impact on class structure, but not on everyday life and behavior 
C)  schools value the cultural capital of the each class equally 
D)  those in the lower classes may blame the school for their failure 
A)  it provides little hope for meaningful social change within the social order 
B)  culture has an impact on class structure, but not on everyday life and behavior 
C)  schools value the cultural capital of the each class equally 
D)  those in the lower classes may blame the school for their failure

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the Davis-Moore thesis in addressing why groups such as doctors have higher incomes than do others, such as garbage collectors?

Accepted Answer

A)  the functional importance of the doctor is greater. 
B)  a longer period of training is required to become a doctor. 
C)  fewer people have the talent to become doctors than garbage collectors. 
D)  doctors have much more organizational power to determine their incomes than do garbage
Collectors. 
A)  the functional importance of the doctor is greater. 
B)  a longer period of training is required to become a doctor. 
C)  fewer people have the talent to become doctors than garbage collectors. 
D)  doctors have much more organizational power to determine their incomes than do garbage
Collectors.

Question 18

Labor-market theories of inequality focus narrowly on explanations for income and earnings differences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism used by educational systems, according Bowles and Gintis:

Accepted Answer

A)  It tracks individuals from different classes into appropriate courses 
B)  It produces the belief in equality through the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 
C)  It fosters a belief that individuals wind up in different positions solely because of differences in merit 
D)  It rewards conformists and negatively labels those who do not conform 
A)  It tracks individuals from different classes into appropriate courses 
B)  It produces the belief in equality through the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 
C)  It fosters a belief that individuals wind up in different positions solely because of differences in merit 
D)  It rewards conformists and negatively labels those who do not conform

Question 20

How did the government's support of free-market capitalism contribute to the current economic crisis?

Accepted Answer

A)  It increased regulation and monitoring of economic activity. 
B)  It created tax laws and allowances that favor the consumer. 
C)  It encouraged privatization so that financial institutions were willing to take risks in order to maximize profit. 
D)  It allowed failing financial institutions to rescue taxpayers in financial crisis. 
A)  It increased regulation and monitoring of economic activity. 
B)  It created tax laws and allowances that favor the consumer. 
C)  It encouraged privatization so that financial institutions were willing to take risks in order to maximize profit. 
D)  It allowed failing financial institutions to rescue taxpayers in financial crisis.

According to social reproduction theories, how is structured inequality reproduced?

Wolf (1976) found women's jobs are generally stepping stones to more prestigious occupations.

In the monopoly sector of the economy, wages and prices are primarily determined by market forces.

Which of the following is consistent with the dual labor-market thesis?

Firms within the competitive sector tend to:

Using social constructionist theory, develop a convincing argument that social inequality is socially constructed.

Critics argue that the functionalist theory of social stratification:

Davis and Moore have developed a highly accurate measure of the functional importance of occupational positions.

Social reproduction theories are built on a functionalist model of society and are often aligned with Durkheim's views on inequality.

In the dual labor-market thesis, there is generally a great deal of intermarket mobility.

Identify the key differences between neoclassical and dual-labor-market theories in accounting for differences in earnings. What does the latter theory take into account, which is ignored by neoclassical theory?

Schwalbe (2008) suggests that the placement of groups of people into particular categories initiated and justified the theft, extortion, and exploitation that led to unequal distributions of valuable resources among racial and ethnic groups in the early United States.

Outline the basic assertions of the Davis/Moore functional theory of social stratification. Identify its major strengths and weaknesses.

MacLeod's (1987) study found that the Brothers were less inclined to believe in the American Dream than were the Hallway Hangers.

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the neoclassical labor-market theory?

In Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction:

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the Davis-Moore thesis in addressing why groups such as doctors have higher incomes than do others, such as garbage collectors?

Labor-market theories of inequality focus narrowly on explanations for income and earnings differences.

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism used by educational systems, according Bowles and Gintis:

How did the government's support of free-market capitalism contribute to the current economic crisis?

An Introduction to the Study of Social Inequality

Economic Inequality

Status Inequality

Political Inequality

Sex and Gender Inequality

Sexual Orientation and Inequality

Racial and Ethnic Inequality

Classical Explanations of Inequality

The Impact of Inequality on Personal Life Chances

Social Consequences of Inequality

Social Inequality and Social Movements

Social Mobility and Status Attainment: Openness in Us Society

Justice and Legitimacy: Assessments of the Structure of Inequality

Addressing Inequality and Poverty: Programs and Reforms

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Exam 9: Contemporary Explanations of Inequality

According to social reproduction theories, how is structured inequality reproduced?

Wolf (1976) found women's jobs are generally stepping stones to more prestigious occupations.

In the monopoly sector of the economy, wages and prices are primarily determined by market forces.

Which of the following is consistent with the dual labor-market thesis?

Firms within the competitive sector tend to:

Using social constructionist theory, develop a convincing argument that social inequality is socially constructed.

Critics argue that the functionalist theory of social stratification:

Davis and Moore have developed a highly accurate measure of the functional importance of occupational positions.

Social reproduction theories are built on a functionalist model of society and are often aligned with Durkheim's views on inequality.

In the dual labor-market thesis, there is generally a great deal of intermarket mobility.

Identify the key differences between neoclassical and dual-labor-market theories in accounting for differences in earnings. What does the latter theory take into account, which is ignored by neoclassical theory?

Schwalbe (2008) suggests that the placement of groups of people into particular categories initiated and justified the theft, extortion, and exploitation that led to unequal distributions of valuable resources among racial and ethnic groups in the early United States.

Outline the basic assertions of the Davis/Moore functional theory of social stratification. Identify its major strengths and weaknesses.

MacLeod's (1987) study found that the Brothers were less inclined to believe in the American Dream than were the Hallway Hangers.

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the neoclassical labor-market theory?

In Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction:

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the Davis-Moore thesis in addressing why groups such as doctors have higher incomes than do others, such as garbage collectors?

Labor-market theories of inequality focus narrowly on explanations for income and earnings differences.

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism used by educational systems, according Bowles and Gintis:

How did the government's support of free-market capitalism contribute to the current economic crisis?

An Introduction to the Study of Social Inequality

Economic Inequality

Status Inequality

Political Inequality

Sex and Gender Inequality

Sexual Orientation and Inequality

Racial and Ethnic Inequality

Classical Explanations of Inequality

The Impact of Inequality on Personal Life Chances

Social Consequences of Inequality

Social Inequality and Social Movements

Social Mobility and Status Attainment: Openness in Us Society

Justice and Legitimacy: Assessments of the Structure of Inequality

Addressing Inequality and Poverty: Programs and Reforms

Filters