Deck 8: Social Stratification: United States and Global

Question 1

According to world-system theory, the poverty of poor countries is an obstacle to the growth of rich countries.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The lower-middle-class members shape the economic and political climate by holding top political positions in the federal government, underwriting thousands of think tanks and research institutes that formulate national policies, and shaping public opinion through the mass media.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Wealth is the money a person receives, usually through wages or salaries.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The proletariat refers to those who own and control capital and the means of production and can amass wealth and power.

Question 5

Since ascribed characteristics can change, people in open stratification systems can move from one social class to another.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true of caste system?

A) In a caste system, people's social positions are based on individual achievement.
B) In a caste system, people can easily move from one caste to another.
C) A caste system has a relatively open stratification structure.
D) A caste system encourages marriages outside one's caste.
E) In a caste system, social positions are ascribed at birth.

Question 7

Which of the following statements best describes social stratification?

A) It refers to the disproportionate number of the poor who are women.
B) It is movement from one social class to another.
C) It is a society's ranking of people based on their access to valued resources such as wealth, power, and prestige.
D) It refers to the concept of rewarding people solely for what they do and how well, rather than their ascribed status.
E) It refers to the array of subsidies, tax breaks, and assistance that the government has created for businesses.

Question 8

In a slavery system, people's positions are based on both birth and achievement.

Question 9

When social mobility occurs, most moves are long because social classes are very flexible.

Question 10

In contrast to government programs for older Americans, many programs for poor children have been increased since 1980.

Question 11

Melvin Tumin criticized the David -M oore thesis for overemphasizing the critical role of inheritance.

Question 12

W orld-system theory is similar to modernization theory in explaining why inequality is universal.

Question 13

Living in a wealthy country generally means that people enjoy income equality.

Question 14

Identify the social stratification system in which a person's ability to change social positions is influenced by his or her achievements.

A) Open stratification system
B) Closed stratification system
C) Slavery system
D) Matriarchal system
E) Patriarchal system

Question 15

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an overall ranking of a person's position in society based on income, education, and occupation.

Question 16

People in the working class include corporate executives and managers, high government officials, owners of large businesses, physicians, and successful lawyers and stockbrokers.

Question 17

Poor children are as healthy as those at higher socioeconomic status (SES) levels and are likely to be just as healthy in adulthood.

Question 18

In a closed stratification system, movement from one social position to another is limited by ascribed statuses.

Question 19

In rich countries, gender inequality does not result in discrimination in the economy, politics, and access to medical services.

Question 20

In which of the following stratification systems are people bought and sold as commodities?

A) Matriarchal system
B) Patriarchal system
C) Slavery system
D) Caste system
E) Class system

Question 21

Income differs from wealth in that income:

A) includes property, stocks and bonds, and personal possessions.
B) is a result of ascribed status.
C) remains stable.
D) is usually spent on everyday expenses.
E) is based on status inconsistency.

Question 22

Which of the following terms refers to respect, recognition, or regard attached to social positions?

A) Mobility
B) Wealth
C) Income
D) Prestige
E) Power

Question 23

Which of the following statements best describes wealth?

A) It refers to the array of subsidies, tax breaks, and assistance that the government has created for businesses.
B) It refers to the economic assets that a person or family owns.
C) It is a web of social ties that links individuals or groups to one another.
D) It refers to the respect, recognition, or regard attached to social positions.
E) It refers to the ability to influence or control the behavior of others despite opposition.

Question 24

Which of the following most accurately defines absolute poverty?

A) It is the worldwide inequality patterns that result from differences in wealth, power, and prestige.
B) It is not having enough money to afford the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
C) It refers to the movement up or down a social class over two or more generations.
D) It refers to the movement up or down a social class over one's lifetime.
E) It refers to a situation in which people own others as property and have almost total control over their lives.

Question 25

Which of the following groups is most likely to have the lowest poverty rate in the United States?

A) Americans between ages 41 and 50
B) Americans aged 18 and younger
C) Americans aged 65 and older
D) Americans between ages 20 and 30
E) Americans between ages 31 and 40

Question 26

Which of the following most accurately describes those individuals who are classified as working poor?

A) They are chronically unemployed or drift in and out of jobs.
B) They are people who work at least 27 weeks a year but whose wages fall below the official poverty level.
C) They are people who are persistently poor and seldom employed, residentially segregated, and relatively isolated from the rest of the population with an annual income of USD 12,000 or lesser.
D) They include people in nonmanual occupations that require some training beyond high school.
E) They consist of skilled and semiskilled laborers, including construction and assembly-line workers, truck drivers, auto mechanics, carpenters, and electricians.

Question 27

_____ is an overall ranking of a person's position in society based on income, education, and occupation.

A) Socioeconomic status (SES)
B) Power
C) Intragenerational mobility
D) Social mobility
E) Prestige

Question 28

Tom drifts in and out of jobs. Owing to his lack of education and skills, it is very difficult for him to find a stable job with a steady income. Despite having some earnings, he depends on government programs to make ends meet. Which of the following terms can be used to describe Tom's social status?

A) Bourgeoisie
B) Lower-middle class
C) Working poor
D) Underclass
E) Working class

Question 29

Which of the following statements is true of upper-upper-class people?

A) They have less autonomy and freedom from supervision compared to middle-class people.
B) They have worked for their wealth rather than inherited it.
C) They live on earned income rather than accumulated wealth.
D) They are the old rich who have been wealthy for generations.
E) They have severe restrictions in choice of occupation.

Question 30

Identify a true statement about individuals in the upper-middle class.

A) They are the old rich who have been wealthy for generations.
B) They live on earned income rather than accumulated or inherited wealth.
C) They have less autonomy and freedom from supervision in their occupations than those in the lower-middle class.
D) They are less likely than those in the general population to work 50 or more hours per week.
E) They are the nouveau riche , those with "new money."

Question 31

Identify the social stratification system in which people's positions are based on both birth and achievement.

A) Ostracism
B) Petalism
C) Slavery system
D) Caste system
E) Class system

Question 32

Unlike upper-middle class, those in the lower-middle class:

A) have less freedom from supervision in their jobs.
B) live on earned income rather than accumulated or inherited wealth.
C) require a college education for their jobs.
D) are relatively isolated from the rest of the population.
E) work in minimum wage jobs, or are often unemployed.

Question 33

Which of the following is a characteristic of prestigious occupations?

A) They usually require carrying out very specific tasks.
B) They require more formal education and extensive training than other occupations.
C) They are a result of one's inherited characteristic.
D) They are primarily manual.
E) They require more supervision than other occupations.

Question 34

Unlike the upper-upper class, those in the lower-upper class:

A) have been wealthy for generations.
B) have little chance for advancement.
C) have worked for their income rather than inherited it.
D) shape the economic and political climate through a variety of mechanisms.
E) have no autonomy and freedom from supervision.

Question 35

Which of the following statements best describes relative poverty?

A) It is defined as not having enough money to afford the basic necessities of life.
B) It is defined as not having enough money to maintain an average standard of living.
C) It is the minimal income level that the federal government considers necessary for basic subsistence.
D) It refers to the worldwide inequality patterns that result from differences in wealth, power, and prestige.
E) It refers to the movement up or down a social class over one's lifetime.

Question 36

Which of the following terms refers to the extent to which people have positive experiences and can secure the good things in life because they have economic resources?

A) Life chances
B) Life courses
C) Life expectancies
D) Life spans
E) Life extensions

Question 37

Connor White is the grandson of one of the country's wealthiest businessmen. The White family has been wealthy for generations, and Connor stands to inherit the family wealth, in addition to ownership of the family business. Which of the following terms can be used to describe the status of the White family?

A) Proletariat
B) Underclass
C) Nouveau riche
D) Lower-middle class
E) Upper-upper class

Question 38

Which of the following statements is true of the jobs held by the working class in the United States?

A) Their jobs have considerable on-the-job autonomy and freedom from supervision.
B) Their occupations usually require a Ph.D. or advanced professional degree.
C) Most of them work in minimum wage jobs, or are often unemployed.
D) Most of their occupations are blue collar, but some are white collar.
E) Their jobs offer a lot of opportunities for advancement.

Question 39

The minimal income level that the federal government considers necessary for basic subsistence is called _____.

A) the income deficit
B) prestige
C) wealth
D) meritocracy
E) the poverty line

Question 40

As a child, Mira was taught to interact only with people from the same social standing as her. When she grew up, she was married into a family similar to hers in race and background. Which of the following systems of social stratification does this scenario illustrate?

A) Ostracism
B) Petalism
C) Slavery system
D) Caste system
E) Class system

Question 41

Andrew believes that social stratification is based on people's accomplishments. According to him, people will be motivated to do better if they are rewarded for what they do and how well, rather than their ascribed status. Which of the following sociological explanations supports Andrew's beliefs?

A) The Emile Durkheim thesis
B) Feminist theory
C) Modernization theory
D) World-system theory
E) The Davis-Moore thesis

Question 42

Martha argues that low-income countries are poor because their leaders are corrupt and their strict policies deter foreign direct investment. She believes that such policies act as a barrier for poor countries when competing in global markets. In this case, which of the following theories is Martha most likely to state to support her views in explaining why inequality is universal?

A) World-system theory
B) Feminist theory
C) Modernization theory
D) Dependency theory
E) Demographic transition theory

Question 43

The members of the King family own a few banks and factories in their hometown. Their control over capital and the means of production of most goods has resulted in the family acquiring great wealth and power. Which of the following terms can be used to describe the King family?

A) Working class
B) Symbolic interactionists
C) Underclass
D) Proletariat
E) Bourgeoisie

Question 44

According to Karl Marx, which of the following terms is used to describe those individuals who own and control wealth and the means of production?

A) Working class
B) Middle class
C) Underclass
D) Economic class
E) Capitalist class

Question 45

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates corporate welfare?

A) Phillip using Medicare to cover his medical expenses
B) Madeline using employee discount to buy school supplies from a bookstore
C) Castell Corp. facing cutthroat competition from other corporations in the same industry
D) Pastel Inc. paying a reduced tax percentage on its annual earnings
E) Hannah receiving food stamps to pay for her monthly groceries

Question 46

Which of the following is true of the Davis-Moore thesis?

A) It asserts that social stratification benefits society.
B) It emphasizes the role of inheritance in social stratification.
C) It states that stratification limits upward mobility.
D) It criticizes the role of meritocracy in social stratification.
E) It states that ethnic income and wealth gaps persist across all social classes.

Question 47

_____ is movement up or down a social class over one's lifetime.

A) Intergenerational mobility
B) Globalization
C) Global stratification
D) Meritocracy
E) Intragenerational mobility

Question 48

Which of the following is the most likely reason why the poverty level among older Americans is comparatively lower than that of any other age group?

A) Older Americans have had better life chances than most.
B) Divorce rates are higher among older Americans.
C) The economy has remained stable in the recent past.
D) Government programs have generally kept up with the rate of inflation.
E) There has been an increase in high-paying jobs for the aged.

Question 49

Which of the following most accurately describes feminization of poverty?

A) It refers to the phenomenon of more women in the society having the ability to influence or control the behavior of others despite opposition.
B) It refers to the disproportionate number of the poor who are women.
C) It refers to the movement of women up or down the social class hierarchy.
D) It refers to the extent to which women have positive experiences and can secure the good things in life because they have economic resources.
E) It refers to the practice of employers hiring more women to do demeaning work for wages lesser than that of their male counterparts.

Question 50

Identify the way in which immigration affects social mobility.

A) It restricts intragenerational mobility.
B) It fuels upward mobility.
C) It increases the chances of people falling into poverty.
D) It promotes greater equality.
E) It leads to increases in unemployment among groups that are already in a country.

Question 51

James, a student of economics, argues that high-income countries benefit because the poor countries provide cheap labor and are subjected to exploitation by the rich nations as they are not powerful enough to protest. Which of the following theories supports James's opinion?

A) Symbolic interaction theory
B) Feminist theory
C) Modernization theory
D) Dependency theory
E) Queer theory

Question 52

According to conservative economists, the increasing income and wealth gaps and low wages have:

A) made the United States less productive.
B) increased the dependency of the United States on poor nations.
C) broadened the consumer spending base.
D) encouraged many people to enter and stay in the labor force.
E) boosted national solidarity.

Question 53

Which of the following statements is true of modernization theory?

A) It states that wealth gaps persist across all social classes.
B) It emphasizes the role of inheritance in social mobility.
C) It ignores a wealth of talent among the poor.
D) It states that low-income countries are poor because of exploitation by high-income countries.
E) It blames poor nations for their poverty and other problems.

Question 54

Identify an accurate statement about intergenerational mobility.

A) It provides little chance for advancement.
B) It refers to the passing down of wealth from the older generations to the younger generations.
C) It is the difference between the wealth, prestige, and power of the older generations compared with that of the younger generations.
D) It is movement up or down a social class over two or more generations.
E) It is movement up or down a social class hierarchy over one's lifetime.

Question 55

With reference to social stratification, which of the following is a criticism of conflict theorists?

A) They believe that the rich are more hardworking than the poor.
B) They exaggerate the existence and effects of economic inequality.
C) They believe that social stratification benefits society.
D) They tend to ignore structural factors that cause inequalities.
E) They tend to ignore the critical influence of inheritance.

Question 56

_____ consists of an array of subsidies, tax breaks, and assistance that the government has created for businesses.

A) Social welfare
B) Social responsibility
C) Corporate responsibility
D) Corporate welfare
E) Social security

Question 57

Sarah comes from a lower-middle-class family. Her parents were teachers and relied on both their incomes to run their household. Sarah got into medical school on a scholarship and is now a doctor in a well-reputed hospital. Sarah's movement to the upper-middle class is an example of _____.

A) intergenerational mobility
B) downward mobility
C) feminization of poverty
D) intragenerational mobility
E) relative poverty

Question 58

Identify a similarity between conflict theorists and Melvin Tumin in their opinions of the Davis-Moore thesis.

A) They both believe that economic struggle in societies can be attributed to technology and globalization.
B) They both maintain that social stratification is dysfunctional because it hurts individuals and societies.
C) They both believe that government policies favor only the rich societies.
D) They both maintain that in egalitarian societies the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie.
E) They both believe inequality in societies is necessary to motivate people to work hard and to succeed.

Question 59

Which of the following is a criticism of the Davis-Moore thesis by Melvin Tumin?

A) A system of unequal rewards motivates people to contribute to society.
B) There's undue importance to the existence and effects of economic inequality.
C) There's little association between earnings and the jobs that keep a society going.
D) Some positions are more crucial than others for a society's survival.
E) People will not undergo many years of education or training unless they are rewarded by money.

Question 60

Stephen is a professor at a university. He tells his students that rich countries continue to stay rich because they control the economies of poor countries. He also states that they exploit the poor countries because workers in poor countries depend on external markets for jobs. He argues that rich countries set prices for agricultural products exported by poor countries regardless of market values. Which of the following theories is Professor Stephen describing to his students?

A) Symbolic interaction theory
B) Feminist theory
C) Modernization theory
D) World-system theory
E) Functionalist theory

Question 61

Briefly explain world-system theory.

Question 62

What is social mobility? How does intragenerational mobility differ from intergenerational mobility?

Question 63

Explain how demographic factors affect social mobility.

Question 64

Which of the following is a criticism of feminist theories?

A) Many feminist scholars do not explain why so many women succeed despite patriarchal barriers.
B) Many feminist scholars exaggerate the existence and effects of economic inequality.
C) Many feminist scholars ignore the efforts of government programs for women.
D) Many feminist scholars exaggerate the effects of structural factors on the social mobility of women.
E) Many feminist scholars ignore the critical role of inheritance.

Question 65

Discuss the Davis-Moore thesis. How did Melvin Tumin challenge the Davis-Moore thesis?

Question 66

In the context of social stratification, _____ address micro-level issues such as how people learn their social positions in everyday life and how such learning affects their attitudes, behavior, and lifestyles.

A) feminists
B) functionalists
C) symbolic interactionists
D) conflict theorists
E) capitalists

Question 67

List two characteristics of prestigious occupations. Support your answer with examples.

Question 68

Which of the following is a belief of feminist theorists?

A) Meritocracy is nonexistent, and women are given greater preference over men to enter higher-paying occupations.
B) In a patriarchal system, women shape the stratification system.
C) Women have greater political power than men in industrialized countries.
D) Women often have to juggle domestic and workplace responsibilities.
E) It is easier for women to access resources in developing nations than in developed nations.

Question 69

Justin went to art school and is now a successful artist. He attributes his career choice to the environment at home. He believes that his parents' successful careers in similar fields shaped and influenced his decision. Which of the following perspectives is most likely to support Justin's belief?

A) Feminists perspectives
B) Marxists perspectives
C) Symbolic interaction perspectives
D) Conflict perspectives
E) Capitalistic perspectives

Question 70

Define socioeconomic status (SES). Briefly describe the characteristics of the upper class and the middle class in the United States.

Question 71

Alicia believes that men shape the social stratification system and control a disproportionate share of wealth, prestige, and power. As a result, women are largely invisible. Which of the following perspectives is most likely to support Alicia's opinion?

A) Symbolic interaction perspectives
B) Feminist perspectives
C) Modernization perspectives
D) Conflict perspectives
E) Functionalist perspectives

Question 72

What is the poverty line? How does the government determine the poverty line?

Question 73

Briefly explain the perspectives of conflict theorists on social stratification.

Question 74

Identify the common characteristics of America's poor and briefly describe each of them.

Question 75

Describe the structural factors that affect social mobility.

Question 76

How does wealth differ from income?

Question 77

Which of the following is a limitation of the symbolic interaction theory?

A) Symbolic interactionists ignore the efforts of government programs.
B) Symbolic interactionists believe that the rich are more hardworking than the poor.
C) Symbolic interactionists exaggerate the existence and effects of economic inequality.
D) Symbolic interactionists do not explain why so many women succeed despite patriarchal barriers.
E) Symbolic interactionists ignore structural factors that create and reinforce inequality.

Question 78

Explain why inequality is universal according to modernization theory and dependency theory.

Question 79

Briefly describe an open stratification system with an example.

Question 80

Briefly describe the features of the working class in the United States.