Deck 8: Social Class and Social Stratification

Question 1

Compare and contrast the estate, caste, and class systems. Describe the primary distinctions and illustrate your response with an example of each system.

Answer 1

The estate, caste, and class systems are all social hierarchies that have been used throughout history to categorize and organize individuals within a society. Each system has its own unique characteristics and distinctions.

The estate system, also known as feudalism, was prevalent in medieval Europe and was based on the ownership of land. Society was divided into three main estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. Each estate had its own rights and responsibilities, and social mobility was limited. An example of the estate system is the feudal system in medieval Europe, where the king and nobility owned the land and had power over the peasants who worked the land.

The caste system is a social hierarchy that is based on hereditary and rigid social distinctions. It is most commonly associated with Hinduism in India, where society is divided into four main castes: the Brahmins (priests and scholars), the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), the Vaishyas (traders and farmers), and the Shudras (laborers and service providers). There is also a fifth group, the Dalits, who are considered to be outside of the caste system and historically faced discrimination and social exclusion. An example of the caste system is the traditional Indian society, where individuals are born into a specific caste and their social and occupational opportunities are determined by their caste membership.

The class system is a social hierarchy based on economic and social status, and it allows for more social mobility than the estate and caste systems. In a class system, individuals are grouped based on their wealth, occupation, and education. There are typically three main classes: upper class, middle class, and lower class. Social mobility is possible in a class system, as individuals can move between classes based on their achievements and opportunities. An example of the class system is modern capitalist societies, where individuals can move up or down the social ladder based on their economic success and social standing.

In summary, the estate, caste, and class systems are all social hierarchies that have been used to categorize and organize individuals within a society. The estate system is based on land ownership, the caste system is based on hereditary social distinctions, and the class system is based on economic and social status. Each system has its own unique characteristics and limitations, and they have had different impacts on the societies in which they have been implemented.

Question 2

Discuss the ideas of overlapping systems of stratification. What does it mean, and what are its implications for class position? Illustrate your response with two examples.

Answer 2

Overlapping systems of stratification refer to the idea that individuals in society can be simultaneously positioned within multiple social hierarchies based on factors such as class, race, gender, and sexuality. This means that a person's social standing is not solely determined by one factor, but rather by the intersection of various forms of inequality.

The implications of overlapping systems of stratification for class position are significant. For example, a person's race and gender can impact their access to education, employment opportunities, and social mobility, which in turn can affect their class position. Additionally, individuals from marginalized communities may face compounded barriers to upward mobility due to the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination.

One example of overlapping systems of stratification can be seen in the experiences of women of color in the workforce. Research has shown that women of color face both gender and racial discrimination, leading to lower wages and limited opportunities for career advancement compared to their white female and male counterparts. This intersection of race and gender creates a unique set of challenges that impact their class position.

Another example can be found in the experiences of LGBTQ individuals. LGBTQ individuals may face discrimination in the workplace and housing market, which can impact their economic stability and class position. This discrimination is often compounded for LGBTQ individuals who are also people of color, further illustrating the intersectionality of overlapping systems of stratification.

In conclusion, overlapping systems of stratification highlight the complex and interconnected nature of social inequality. Understanding these overlapping systems is crucial for addressing and challenging the various forms of discrimination that impact individuals' class position and overall well-being.

Question 3

Beth, a recent college graduate, recognizes that she has lots of nice "stuff," largely thanks to her family buying it for her. Beth also recognizes that she has a lot of debt, thanks to her student loans. When Beth considers the difference between the monetary value of her possessions and other financial assets and her debt, she is best described as pondering her

A) class position.
B) wealth.
C) income.
D) prestige.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

In terms of demographic characteristics such as age, race/ethnicity, and sex, which groups in the United States are most likely to live in poverty?  Explain these patterns in poverty using conflict theory.

Question 5

Which of these statements is the best description of social class in the United States?

A) There is a very simple class structure with a very few wealthy landowners and the majority of others living comfortable lives.
B) The social class system is very simple because throughout the society, there is relative equality.
C) In the United States, social class is determined largely by occupation and thus is very malleable.
D) The U.S. class system is elaborate; it could be depicted by a ladder with a different social class at each rung.

Question 6

_____ income is defined as the midpoint of all household incomes.

A) Mean
B) Median
C) Modal
D) Measured

Question 7

Is the "American Dream" of equal opportunity and financial success for those who are willing to work hard achievable today? Explain your reasoning.

Question 8

Describe the functionalist perspective on poverty and explain the consequences of this perspective for society.   Contrast the functionalist perspective with that of conflict theory.

Question 9

Define the term caste system and provide two examples, illustrating how each fits the definition.

Question 10

John doesn't just make a point of buying the latest and most expensive cars, electronics, and clothes whether he needs them or not-he makes sure others realize that he is buying the latest and most expensive cars, electronics, and clothes whether he needs them or not. John is engaging in

A) class consciousness.
B) conspicuous consumption.
C) social differentiation.
D) social stratification.

Question 11

Compare and contrast Marx's and Weber's approaches to analyzing class inequality in industrialized societies.

Question 12

Define class consciousness, discuss its dimensions, and identify how it impacts society. Explain Marx's concept of false consciousness, how it forms, and its role in maintaining stratification.

Question 13

Social _____ refers to the process by which varied statuses develop in any group, organization, or society.

A) differentiation
B) stratification
C) inequality
D) mobility

Question 14

Describe trends in the U.S. poverty rate since 2000 and identify at least two factors that have contributed to the trends you described.

Question 15

Is welfare reform working? Justify your answer using evidence presented in the text.

Question 16

Jan is totaling her wages, the amount she received for child support, and interest from her investments. She is calculating her

A) income.
B) wealth.
C) assets.
D) tax receipts.

Question 17

Which of these statements about social class is false?

A) Social class may be observed in the everyday habit of a person.
B) The social class one is born into has enormous consequences for one's life.
C) Social class is personal and individual, not social structural.
D) Social class is a major determinant of life chances.

Question 18

Describe the class revolution that Karl Marx predicted would occur. Offer an explanation for why this did not take place.

Question 19

Define lower class and identify the groups that are part of this category. Explain the differences between the lower class and the poor.

Question 20

In the United States,

A) it is very common for people to start out poor and yet achieve great wealth.
B) most people live their entire lives as members of a social class very close to the one they were born into.
C) a person's individual achievements have no effect on his or her social class.
D) most individuals move down the social class ladder during their lifetimes.

Question 21

With regard to the intersection of race and class, Black Americans

A) in the middle class are not segregated from whites as are poorer Blacks.
B) are more likely to be members of the working class than are whites.
C) are more likely to be middle class than working class.
D) look more like Asian Americans than Whites.

Question 22

During the 2008 recession, the pattern of home foreclosures in the United States included which of the following?

A) Foreclosures occurred at the same rate in all neighborhoods.
B) Middle-class neighborhoods were able to avoid foreclosures.
C) Foreclosure rates for African Americans were nearly twice those for Whites.
D) Wealthy Americans had foreclosure rates surpassing the middle class.

Question 23

Which of the following is true about stratification systems?

A) Most societies do not have true stratification systems.
B) Most societies share the same amount of complexity in their stratification systems.
C) Stratification systems are somewhat unusual in modern societies.
D) Stratification systems vary in degree and complexity of stratification.

Question 24

In the United States, the lower class

A) has little formal education.
B) is disproportionately represented by people of color and women.
C) includes the working poor.
D) all of these are correct.

Question 25

Most of the people and families on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest people and families in the United States

A) earned their wealth in the oil industry.
B) inherited their wealth or built it using funds borrowed from wealthy family members.
C) are famous athletes or entertainers who built their wealth on their star power.
D) earned their wealth, dollar by dollar, throughout their lifetimes.

Question 26

Were they to think about it, the Smith family would realize that, as a result of their wealth and status, they have an extremely comfortable lifestyle marked by access to goods and services others can only dream of. Weber would describe such reflection as being about the _____ that are associated with their status.

A) life chances
B) ascribed privileges
C) achieved privileges
D) class chances

Question 27

The idea that Asian Americans are a "model minority"

A) is accurate.
B) obscures obstacles to success that they face.
C) overestimates the contributions of other minorities.
D) acknowledges poverty among Asian American groups.

Question 28

The Black middle class

A) does not experience racism.
B) earns wages equal to those earned by the White middle class.
C) is becoming more like the model minority.
D) continues to experience segregation.

Question 29

Regarding race and class, which of the following is true?

A) Blacks have less wealth than Whites, Asians, and Latinos.
B) Latinos have been unable to move into the middle class.
C) Racial minorities do not aspire to be part of the middle class.
D) There are no longer significant class disparities related to race.

Question 30

The Parkers are considered part of the upper class and earned their wealth from a very successful business. The Parkers' wealth thus stems from

A) inheritance.
B) income.
C) borrowing.
D) investment.

Question 31

How is the pattern of wealth distribution in the United States influenced by race?

A) Asians are a "model minority" and hold most of the wealth in the United States.
B) Black families have higher levels of wealth than White families.
C) Discriminatory practices in banking and housing perpetuate racial inequalities.
D) The pattern of wealth distribution in the United States is no longer influenced by race.

Question 32

Which of the following does not represent a reason why "middle class" is difficult to define?

A) A very large portion of people, with widely varying lifestyles and resources, consider themselves middle class.
B) Being middle class tends to mean more than just economic status.
C) Calling oneself middle class is the norm in the United States.
D) The middle class is a very small and homogeneous group.

Question 33

In recent years, both the African American and the Latino middle class have expanded because of

A) increased access to education and middle-class occupations for people of color.
B) increased intermarriage rates with White Anglos.
C) legislation that has brought an end to de facto discrimination.
D) a significant upturn in the U.S. economy during the past decade.

Question 34

To be on the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest people and families in the United States, you would have to have wealth of at least 

A) $500 million
B) $1 billion
C) $2 billion
D) $100 billion

Question 35

According to William Julius Wilson, the "urban underclass"

A) consists largely of the permanently unemployed.
B) is the product of an overly generous welfare system that encourages unemployment and lack of initiative.
C) benefited from the recession because finding low-paying jobs was easier.
D) consists mostly of newcomers to cities who simply lack the skills to live in urban settings.

Question 36

The urban underclass differs from others among the lower class in a number of ways. Which of the following is not one of these reasons?

A) The urban underclass has almost no means of economic support.
B) The working poor are more likely to engage in illegal activities.
C) The urban underclass is very likely to be dependent on public assistance programs.
D) The urban underclass consists mostly of recent immigrants.

Question 37

While Marx predicted a specific set of events, which of the following actually occurred?

A) The middle class was pushed into the working class.
B) The middle class remained fragile, while the upper class grew in wealth.
C) The upper class was overthrown by the working class.
D) The working class grew in size and power.

Question 38

Occupational prestige ratings

A) are subjective evaluations of jobs.
B) are objective rankings determined by salary data.
C) are not related to overall socioeconomic status.
D) are based on economic potential.

Question 39

In the United States, the concept of the "model minority"

A) is based on a stereotype of Asian Americans being overwhelmingly successful.
B) takes into account the successes of all other minority groups.
C) changes based on the experiences of racial and ethnic groups.
D) hides the successes of Whites.

Question 40

Which of the following is false regarding social class in the United States?

A) Social classes are becoming more polarized with the wealthy increasing their wealth and the middle class stagnating.
B) Rising debt among the middle class has increased inequality between the classes.
C) The lower class has little power to control the working environment.
D) Tax loopholes favor the middle and lower classes.

Question 41

Karl Marx defined the different classes in terms of their relationship to which of the following?

A) Educational system
B) Means of production
C) Agricultural land
D) Net wealth

Question 42

Which of the following is false about social mobility in the United States today?

A) In the United States, anyone who works hard enough can get ahead.
B) Social mobility occurs in the United States but less often than believed by most.
C) Most people remain in their class of origin.
D) Social mobility is greatly influenced by education.

Question 43

Which of these statements best reflects the functionalist perspective on social inequality?

A) The people with the most power set the rules to the benefit of themselves.
B) Society is made up of various groups that are in constant struggle with each other over resources.
C) The occupations that require the most training and involve the highest risk work are the most highly paid.
D) Some occupations are as important as others, but they do not receive as much pay because they tend to be occupied by women.

Question 44

Weber believed that

A) class and access to life chances are totally unrelated.
B) economic standing alone is not always the source of people's power.
C) systems of stratification are not part of the social structure.
D) micro-level analysis is more valid than macro-level analysis.

Question 45

_____ believe that the greater rewards attached to some positions in society help ensure that people will make the sacrifices necessary to acquire the training those positions demand.

A) Functionalists
B) Conflict theorists
C) Symbolic interactionists
D) Social exchange theorists

Question 46

Which of these groups best corresponds to the "lumpenproletariat" identified by Marx as subdivision of the working class?

A) Upper- and middle-level managers
B) Frontline and factory workers
C) The homeless and permanently poor
D) The owners of the means of production

Question 47

According to Weber, what is true of the dimensions of stratification?

A) The economic, social, and political dimensions of stratification are usually related.
B) A person's social, political, and economic statuses are always consistent with each other.
C) Political status is much more important in determining one's position in the stratification system than is economic or social status.
D) There is no relationship between the economic, social, and political dimensions of stratification.

Question 48

Max Weber analyzed the connections between

A) the economic, social, and political dimensions of stratification.
B) class, race, and gender as the basis for social stratification.
C) cooperation, competition, and conflict as social processes affecting social mobility.
D) ability, ambition, and sponsorship as factors affecting social mobility.

Question 49

In the United States, upward social mobility

A) is a function of how hard the individual works.
B) is almost inevitable with a good education.
C) essentially ceased in the aftermath of the 2008 recession.
D) is less common than many believe.

Question 50

Which of these statements about class consciousness in the United States is false?

A) Americans do not tend to be very conscious of social class.
B) In the United States, the importance placed on individualism diminishes the existence of class consciousness.
C) There is widespread belief that everyone has access to the same types of material comforts.
D) There is more class consciousness in the United States than in most European countries.

Question 51

Which type of theorist would be most likely to see inequality in the social system as fair because everyone has an equal chance of getting ahead?

A) Functionalist
B) Conflict
C) Symbolic interactionist
D) Social exchange

Question 52

Which of the following statements would not be something a conflict theorist would say when criticizing the functionalist perspective on social inequality?

A) The belief that economic interests are the primary force shaping social organization is overly simplistic.
B) It is a mistake to believe that the greatest rewards always go to the most talented.
C) Some of the most vital jobs for the survival of society are very low-status and low-paid positions.
D) The system of inequality leads to underutilization of the skills of those people at the bottom.

Question 53

_____ theory emphasizes cohesion in society, while _____ theory emphasizes friction between groups.

A) Conflict; functionalist
B) Symbolic interactionist; conflict
C) Functionalist; conflict
D) Functionalist; symbolic interactionist

Question 54

The feudal societies of Europe in the Middle Ages are an example of a(n) _____ system of stratification.

A) estate
B) caste
C) class
D) socialist

Question 55

Which sociological theory argues that the elite shape societal beliefs and practices in order to make their own privileges appear legitimate and fair?

A) The functionalist theory
B) The conflict theory
C) The symbolic interaction theory
D) The social exchange theory

Question 56

According to the _____ perspective, the most vital jobs in society usually receive the greatest economic rewards.

A) functionalist
B) conflict
C) symbolic interactionist
D) feminist

Question 57

John was born into a working-class family and, thanks to his own and his parents' hard work, was able to attend college, graduate, and find a very well-paying job. John now considers himself to be middle class and has thus experienced _____ mobility.

A) intergenerational
B) intragenerational
C) extragenerational
D) co-generational

Question 58

Which of the following is true about the effects of gender on class stratification?

A) Women across the classes have gained tremendously in the past decade.
B) The median income for women is about 80 percent of the median income for men.
C) When women have as much education as men, they have jobs that pay as well.
D) Women are more likely than men to work in upper-middle-class jobs.

Question 59

Karl Marx used the concept of _____, which he defined as belief systems that support the status quo, to explain why people who do not benefit from a capitalist system would still support it.

A) class consciousness
B) principled thought
C) ideology
D) moral imperative

Question 60

Which of the following is not one of the groups within a feudal system?

A) Nobles
B) Priesthood
C) Commoners
D) Doctors

Question 61

Under the 2018 rules for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) , there is a lifetime limit of _____ years for people to receive welfare benefits.

A) two
B) five
C) eight
D) ten

Question 62

In a caste system, one's place in the stratification system is a(n) _____ status; in a class system, one's place in the stratification system is a(n) _____ status.

A) achieved; ascribed
B) master; achieved
C) ascribed; master
D) ascribed, achieved

Question 63

According to the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act (PRWRA) ,

A) all states must offer the same level of benefits to their residents in poverty.
B) states may offer welfare benefits that are more generous than those of the PRWRA, but they must not provide any less.
C) states have the right to be more restrictive in terms of benefits than the guidelines offered by the PRWRA.
D) welfare benefits are now provided only at the federal level.

Question 64

The Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act (PRWRA) , which has fundamentally shaped recent U.S. welfare policy in recent years, was passed in

A) 1930.
B) 1964.
C) 1996.
D) 2010.

Question 65

What type of system did Black workers experience during South Africa's period of apartheid?

A) Estate
B) Caste
C) Class
D) Socialist

Question 66

In 2017, about _____ of non-Hispanic White families headed by women lived below the poverty line.

A) one-fifth
B) one-third
C) one-half
D) two-thirds

Question 67

Which of the following groups represent the largest number, not percentage, of people in poverty?

A) White
B) African American
C) Hispanic
D) Native American

Question 68

Since the 1960s, when poverty was more than 20 percent, poverty in the United States has.

A) increased markedly.
B) decreased markedly.
C) remained the same.
D) varied wildly from year to year.

Question 69

Estate systems of stratification have only two classes.

Question 70

The culture of poverty explanation contends that people are poor because of

A) economic restructuring in the United States.
B) the status of women in the labor market today.
C) a lack of individual motivation and ability on the part of the poor.
D) the welfare system as it presently exists.

Question 71

According to the text, the great majority of the homeless are on the streets because of

A) substance abuse.
B) divorce.
C) poor mental health.
D) the lack of affordable housing.

Question 72

In general, only well-developed societies in which wealth is inherited have systems of social stratification.

Question 73

Studies have found that since the enactment of welfare reform (PRWRA) in 1996,

A) the number of people receiving welfare has decreased.
B) the amount of poverty in the United States has decreased.
C) the wages earned in workfare programs are keeping women and their children out of poverty.
D) fewer Americans are poor.

Question 74

Which of these statements regarding the restructuring of the U.S. economy is false?

A) Manufacturing jobs are disappearing.
B) Fewer men are the sole support for their families.
C) Newly created jobs are low paying.
D) Men are filling the newly created service positions, leaving women unemployed.

Question 75

As of 2017, about _____ percent of the U.S. population was living below the poverty line?

A) 3.2
B) 12.3
C) 21.7
D) 14.9

Question 76

Research evaluating the idea of the culture of poverty argument has found that

A) most of the poor really are poor by choice.
B) a major event such as divorce, illness, or death is often the cause for falling into poverty.
C) the majority of the poor are poor throughout their entire lives.
D) the poor are most often unemployed, regardless of their ability to work.

Question 77

Social stratification is found only in industrialized societies.

Question 78

Jim believes that a major cause of poverty in his community is the absence of a strong work ethic. Jim's view is based on the _____ argument.

A) structural causes of poverty
B) culture of poverty
C) class analysis
D) natural disasters

Question 79

What have been the results of workfare?

A) All states that rigorously implemented it have seen significant increases in family income.
B) Most states that made an effort to implement it have seen significant increases in family income.
C) There have been significant increases in family income and striking decreases in poverty and homelessness more often than not.
D) Most individuals who were employed through workfare make poverty wages, and when states have seen increases in family income, those increases have been slight.

Question 80

The fastest-growing segment of the homeless population is

A) unemployed men.
B) the victims of domestic violence.
C) single women.
D) families.