Deck 6: Social Inequality: the Canadian Experience in a Global Context

Question 1

The theory that it is the values and behaviours of the poor that make them fundamentally different and prevent them from escaping continued long-term poverty is called:

A) orientation.
B) networking.
C) stratification.
D) structure.
E) the culture of poverty.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

A significant difference between the class system and the systems of slavery, caste, and clan is that the class system has relatively boundaries.

A) rigid
B) fluid
C) unchanging
D) few
E) arbitrary

Answer 2

B

Question 3

To prevent contact between castes, elaborate rules are developed about , teaching that contact within inferior castes contaminates the superior castes.

A) ritual pollution
B) caste pollution
C) marital contamination
D) caste contamination
E) bodily contamination

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Karl Marx argued that the only real significant dividing line between people was their:

A) religious beliefs.
B) relationship to the means of production.
C) gender.
D) level of education.
E) extended family's status in the society.

Question 5

Asking people what class others belong to in smaller communities is termed the method.

A) objective
B) reputational
C) sociological
D) identification
E) subjective

Question 6

Inequalities are highly complex, and in order to unravel that complexity we must question the interrelationships among various inequalities. We refer to this as .

A) intersectionality
B) matrix of domination
C) stratification
D) oppression Olympics
E) liberation sociology

Question 7

According to Weber, social classes are actually made up of their components. These components are:

A) property, power, and occupation.
B) power, prestige, and occupation.
C) education, occupation, and power.
D) property, power, and prestige.
E) power, prestige, and education.

Question 8

Social is the division of large numbers of people into layers according to their relative power, property, and prestige.

A) orientation
B) networking
C) stratification
D) structure
E) diversification

Question 9

If a person was living during Karl Marx's lifetime and owned the Smittertown Widget Company, Marx would consider that person part of the:

A) proletariat.
B) middle class.
C) self-employed professionals.
D) bourgeoisie.
E) lumpen-proletariat.

Question 10

Martha has been asked to identify to which social class in Canada she belongs. She has identified herself as belonging to the middle class. This method of measuring Martha's social class is the method.

A) sociological
B) identification
C) subjective
D) reputational
E) objective

Question 11

A form of social stratification in which a person's social standing is based on his or her membership in an extended network of relatives is known as a system.

A) caste
B) class
C) slave
D) family
E) clan

Question 12

Historically, _ was usually based on debt, defeat in battle, or a criminal act.

A) slavery
B) the clan system
C) feudalism
D) the caste system
E) apartheid

Question 13

The are the lowest group in India's caste system.

A) Varnas
B) Jatis
C) Harijans or untouchables
D) Knife-sharpening caste
E) Ritual polluters

Question 14

The objective method of measuring social class is based on objective criteria that researchers can share with others. For this reason, sociologists:

A) would rather use the subjective method.
B) rely on this method when studying small communities.
C) do not consider class in their analyses.
D) prefer the reputational method as it is easier to get data.
E) primarily use this method.

Question 15

If you wished to start a new life in North America during the time when it was being settled by European colonists, but were unable to pay your passage, one option you could consider to get to the colonies was to become a[n]:

A) sea captain.
B) stowaway
C) indentured servant.
D) slave.
E) paid servant.

Question 16

When workers mistakenly identify with the interests of the capitalists, Karl Marx would argue that the workers were experiencing _ consciousness.

A) misplaced
B) false
C) class
D) mistaken
E) a lack of

Question 17

A system of beliefs that justifies social arrangements in a society is the definition of:

A) class consciousness.
B) defense mechanisms.
C) false consciousness.
D) ideology.
E) national identity

Question 18

There are four myths about poverty identified in your textbook. Which of the following is not one?

A) Most poor people are lazy.
B) Most poor people also have to deal with other factors such as racism, sexism, ageism, and ableism.
C) Most poor people are single mothers and their children.
D) Poverty is a big-city problem.
E) The poor live on welfare.

Question 19

In a system, status is determined by birth and is lifelong.

A) caste
B) clan
C) class
D) social
E) slave

Question 20

In a system, a person's social ranking may change due to what that person achieves or fails to achieve in life.

A) class
B) social
C) slave
D) caste
E) clan

Question 21

Sam owns a business that employs 10 employees. According to Erik Wright's model of social class, Sam would be classified a:

A) worker.
B) capitalist.
C) labourer.
D) petty bourgeoisie.
E) entrepreneur.

Question 22

Eric Wright revised Marx's concept of social classes by regarding some people as simultaneously occupying more than one class. He termed their positions in the class structure:

A) class ambiguity.
B) incongruent class positions.
C) contradictory class locations.
D) status inconsistency.
E) class inconsistency.

Question 23

From a functionalist perspective, Davis and Moore conclude several reasons for the inevitability of stratification. Which of the following is not one of these reasons?

A) Some positions are of greater importance
B) Some positions require more qualifications
C) Some positions require greater rewards to ensure they are filled
D) To ensure all positions are filled
E) To ensure people understand their place in society

Question 24

Although the working class is more liberal on issues, this class is more conservative on _ issues.

A) religious; social
B) social; economic
C) economic; social
D) economic; religious
E) religious; economic

Question 25

Celine is an executive in a large corporation. Recently, it was discovered that she had embezzled money from the corporation. Because of her position, it is likely that her crime will be:

A) overlooked and she will be promoted.
B) severely punished in the criminal court.
C) dealt with however the police deem appropriate.
D) severely punished in the civil court.
E) dealt with outside the criminal justice system.

Question 26

In 2004, the average income of the poorest 10 percent of Canadian families was compared to that of the richest 10 percent of Canadians, which was
)

A) $23 300; $135 810
B) rising; declining
C) staying the same; rising
D) $60 00; $135 810
E) 20 percent higher; 20 percent lower

Question 27

From the 1930s until now, sociologists have found that the mental health of the lower classes is worse than that of the higher classes. One explanation for these differences is that the poor:

A) do not understand mental health issues.
B) do not take care of their mental health needs.
C) are more likely to inherit mental disorders.
D) are not motivated to stay mentally healthy.
E) experience greater stress in their lives.

Question 28

Status refers to a situation in which individuals are ranked high on some dimension of social class and low on other dimensions.

A) incompatibility
B) inconsistency
C) insecurity
D) fluidity
E) contradiction

Question 29

Sociologists Dennis Gilbert and Joseph Kahl modified Weber's model of social class by developing a six-class model to reflect the class structure of the United States and other capitalist countries. In addition to the criteria of wealth, power, and prestige, they included as a primary criterion of class.

A) lineage
B) education
C) gender
D) church affiliation
E) reputation

Question 30

Less than 2 percent of Canadians constitute the super-rich who own percent of corporate stocks and bonds in Canada.
A) 100

A) 80
B) 50
C) 70
D) 60

Question 31

Ronald is a young child living in the inner city. His family is on welfare, as are his grandparents. His chances of getting out of poverty are considered to be 50-50. Based on this information, Ronald and his family are most likely members of the:

A) underclass.
B) underachievers.
C) migrant workers.
D) working poor.
E) classless.

Question 32

Jonathan is a sanitation engineer. His job is to pick up garbage in the city in which he resides. If people were asked to rank his occupation in regards to prestige, Jonathan's occupation would be seen as having:

A) low prestige because it is seen as a low-level, blue-collar job.
B) high prestige because his job has greater autonomy.
C) about the same prestige as nurses.
D) high prestige because his job requires abstract thought.
E) mid-level prestige because his job is necessary.

Question 33

In some countries, royalty were the only people that could wear purple. This is a sign of:

A) family lineage.
B) veneration of the leader.
C) how elite manages to enforce its prestige.
D) a law to protect the country's leader.
E) proper etiquette.

Question 34

According to C. Wright Mills and others, the power elite:

A) share ideologies and values.
B) exist in U.S. but not Canadian society.
C) lack class consciousness.
D) lost much of its power in recent years.
E) do not exist in U.S. society.

Question 35

Ellen is the daughter of a capitalist. Because of her social class position, her field of "eligibles" from which to choose a spouse is:

A) more expansive than those in other classes.
B) similar to the middle class, but not the underclass.
C) much narrower than those in other classes.
D) not affected by social class.
E) the same as those in other classes.

Question 36

The upward or downward movements in social class that family members make from one generation to the next is referred to as mobility.

A) familial
B) exchange
C) intragenerational
D) structural
E) intergenerational

Question 37

Fred owns a Rolex watch and has a yacht moored at the country club's marina. His watch and his yacht are examples of:

A) masculinity.
B) new technologies.
C) status symbols.
D) family heirlooms.
E) cultural curios.

Question 38

When sociologists use the term wealth, they are referring to:

A) both property owned and income made by the person.
B) only the income made from a person's occupation.
C) only property a person owns.
D) net income.
E) either the property owned or the income made.

Question 39

The new technologies have proved to be most beneficial for:

A) the working class.
B) people in all social classes.
C) the capitalist and upper middle class.
D) the unemployed.
E) people in lower management positions.

Question 40

Joseph belongs to a church in which the worship services are spontaneous and loud music is played. Joseph is most likely to be a member of the class.

A) upper middle
B) capitalist
C) unreligious
D) middle
E) lower

Question 41

With increased global competition nipping at the heels of Canadian industry, the richest rewards are reserved for the or for those who work at jobs sheltered from .

A) unionized workers; local competition
B) highly educated; local competition
C) working class; unions
D) working class; foreign competition
E) highly educated; foreign competition

Question 42

Which of the following statements is not true of old age and poverty in Canada?

A) Poverty among Canadians 65 and older has dropped significantly throughout the latter years of the twentieth century.
B) Government policies have decreased poverty among seniors.
C) More recent income security policies have further improved the lives of seniors.
D) The reduction of poverty among seniors is one of the great poverty success stories.
E) In 1997, the poverty rate for seniors hit a record low of 7 percent.

Question 43

Seventy-five workers in a steel company have been replaced by robots. There are no other companies in town where their skills are needed. The unemployment problem of these workers is caused by changes in the structure of work; their occupational status change is seen as mobility.

A) functional
B) intragenerational
C) industrial
D) structural
E) exchange

Question 44

Melvin Tumin pointed out some of the flaws in the Davis-Moore thesis. One critique is that if social stratification worked as Davis and Moore described it, the society would be a meritocracy, which means that:

A) people would inherit their positions.
B) all positions would be awarded on the basis of ability.
C) all positions in the society would be equally important.
D) all positions would receive equal pay.
E) people would be content with any job.

Question 45

While some may blame the poor for their predicament and urge them to try harder, this rhetoric cannot apply to the youngest victims of poverty.

Question 46

According to Melvin Tumin, the best predictor of college entrance is:

A) a student's high school GPA and class standing.
B) the program the student applies for.
C) a student's college entrance test score.
D) how much financial aid is available.
E) the family income of a student.

Question 47

Poverty is an issue right across Canada, from the countryside and small towns to the largest urban areas.

Question 48

mobility refers to similar numbers of people moving up and down the social class ladder, but, on balance, the proportions of the social classes remains about the same.

A) Exchange
B) Intergenerational
C) Upward
D) Structural
E) Downward

Question 49

In every society, the elite develop ideologies to justify their position at the top. This technique for maintaining their privileged positions is considered:

A) coercion.
B) the control of society's institutions.
C) the control of ideas.
D) the control of thought.
E) use of force.

Question 50

The was an ideology that justified social stratification in medieval Europe.

A) might makes right
B) right of priests
C) divine right of kings
D) right of the lords
E) survival of the fittest

Question 51

In several provinces, the poverty rate of Aboriginal Canadians is that of non-Aboriginals.

A) half
B) two-thirds
C) slightly higher than
D) double
E) triple

Question 52

Out-group marriage within a caste system is called endogamy.

Question 53

Slavery has been common in world history and was usually based on racism.

Question 54

Social stratification is a system in which people are divided into layers according to their relative power, property, and prestige.

Question 55

Kevin's father is an executive in a business firm. Kevin recently flunked out of the prestigious college that his parents had sent him to and has taken a job at the Southern Cable Company installing cable lines. This is an example of mobility.

A) exchange
B) upward
C) insignificant
D) structural
E) downward

Question 56

According to the view held by Davis and Moore, stratification is necessary to motivate the most qualified people to fill the more important and demanding positions in a society.

A) conflict
B) Marxist
C) structuralist
D) symbolic interactionist
E) functionalist

Question 57

Statistics Canada's low income cut-offs (LICOs) are frequently employed as informal poverty lines.

Question 58

The distribution of wealth in Canada is more unequal than that of income.

Question 59

Sociologists such as William Domhoff, C. Wright Mills, and Irving Louis Horowitz argue that , not , is the basis of social stratification.

A) individual motivation; function
B) individual motivation; conflict
C) conflict; function
D) individual achievement; function
E) function; conflict

Question 60

In certain societies, gender is no longer a basis for social stratification.

Question 61

Marx predicted that the marginal people in a society would lead the revolution that would bring about a classless society.

Question 62

Social networks tend to reinforce class positions through the development of contacts and favouritism.

Question 63

The caste system of stratification is rigid and the people cannot move from one group to another even by marriage since they practice endogamy.

Question 64

Marx felt that only the bourgeoisie and the proletariat were classes and that other groups in a society were not social classes.

Question 65

The Davis-Moore thesis is an explanation of why social stratification is universal, not an attempt to justify social inequality.

Question 66

Melvin Tumin agreed with Davis and Moore and argued that societies were meritocracies.

Question 67

The greatest possibility for social mobility is in the class system.

Question 68

Social networks tend to perpetuate social inequality.

Question 69

Marx felt that the lumpen-proletariat and the self-employed were the only two classes that had developed class-consciousness.

Question 70

Because social stratification is universal, functionalists maintain that it must help societies to survive.

Question 71

Clans were more pervasive in agricultural societies.

Question 72

Conflict theorists strongly disagree with the functionalist position and argue that conflict, not function, is the basis of social stratification.

Question 73

Sociologists who study positioning and stratification state that those in the "upper middle class" are there as a direct result of having "old money."

Question 74

To maintain power in a democratic society, the elites attempt to control ideas and information.

Question 75

Indentured service is a system in which a person voluntarily sells his or her body for a specified period of time.

Question 76

According to Weber, property is always the basis of people's prestige.

Question 77

Because it was profitable to make people slaves for life, slave owners developed an ideology that justified social arrangements.

Question 78

The "subjective method" of measuring social class involves simply asking people to place themselves in the social class to which they think they belong.

Question 79

Most sociologists use annual income to determine a person's wealth.

Question 80

A drug dealer making $100 000 a year would experience status inconsistency.