Deck 8: Social Stratification

Question 1

A group of people who have similar social standing based on wealth,property,education,power,and/or prestige is called a/n

A) social category.
B) social class.
C) social caste.
D) social group.
E) social aggregate.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In the U.S.,the top one percent of U.S.households has _____ of all wealth.

A) 10%
B) 17%
C) 29%
D) 36%
E) 52%

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Bill Gates earns both a salary and dividends on his stocks.Bill's dividends and salary make up his

A) income.
B) power.
C) prestige.
D) property.
E) retirement plan.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The hierarchical ranking of people who have different access to valued resources is referred to as

A) social networking.
B) the division of society.
C) dependency.
D) social stratification.
E) inequality.

Question 5

The United States is an example of a/n

A) closed stratification system.
B) caste stratification system.
C) slavery stratification system.
D) open stratification system.
E) ascribed stratification system.

Question 6

India outlawed the caste system in _____,but caste divisions are still deeply embedded in the culture.

A) 1880
B) 1913
C) 1918
D) 1949
E) 1981

Question 7

In open stratification systems,social classes are based on _____ statuses.

A) ascribed
B) achieved
C) hereditary
D) religious
E) official

Question 8

Sociologists use which of the following dimensions as indicators of social stratification?

A) wealth
B) gender
C) sexual preference
D) education
E) age

Question 9

Unlike income,wealth can be

A) sheltered from federal taxes.
B) passed on to the next generation.
C) taxed twice.
D) staggered.
E) earned.

Question 10

Identify the correct order of Indian castes (from highest to lowest):

A) Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Brahmins, Dalits, Shudras
B) Shudras, Dalits, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas
C) Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits
D) Dalits Brahmins, Vaishyas, Shudras, Kshatriyas
E) Brahmins, Shudras, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Dalits

Question 11

In a/n _____ stratification system,a person has the ability to change social positions if s/he can achieve it.

A) rigid
B) open
C) closed
D) caste
E) slavery

Question 12

In this system of closed social stratification,a person's status is determined at birth.

A) class
B) caste
C) slavery
D) open
E) achieved

Question 13

The Gray family owns several large pieces of land in the country.The land that they own is part of the Gray family's

A) income.
B) power.
C) prestige.
D) wealth.
E) retirement plan.

Question 14

Unlike income,wealth is typically

A) earned.
B) static.
C) cumulative.
D) declared.
E) ascribed.

Question 15

A person who starts as a carpenter's apprentice and works her way up to owning her own construction company has experienced ____________.

A) intergenerational mobility.
B) extragenerational mobility.
C) structural mobility.
D) exchange mobility.
E) intragenerational mobility.

Question 16

While the U.S.economy has expanded since the late 1960s,income inequality has

A) increased.
B) decreased.
C) fluctuated.
D) stayed the same.
E) decreased gradually.

Question 17

In _____ slavery,people are bought and sold as commodities.

A) fiscal
B) stratified
C) transnational
D) traditional
E) chattel

Question 18

Raymond earns $58,000 annually at his full-time job.This salary is part of Raymond's

A) wealth.
B) power.
C) prestige.
D) property.
E) static gains.

Question 19

In a/n _____ stratification system,a person's ability to change social positions is limited and often based on gender or race.

A) rigid
B) open
C) closed
D) caste
E) slavery

Question 20

In this system of closed social stratification,some individuals own other individuals.

A) ascribed
B) achieved
C) open
D) caste
E) slavery

Question 21

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: This social class is more diverse than those above it.Individuals in this social class generally earned their wealth and are called nouveau riche.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 22

_________ is an overall ranking of a person's position in the class hierarchy based on income,education,and occupation.

A) Conspicuous consumption
B) Power
C) Prestige
D) Socioeconomic status
E) Status inconsistency

Question 23

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: People who belong to this social class are from "old money" families and hold top political positions.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 24

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: Most Americans classify themselves as this social class,including those with annual incomes below $20,000 and those with annual incomes above $150,000.

A) upper class
B) middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 25

Madison is studying social class.She is asking individuals about their education, occupation and income.Which approach is Madison using to measure social class?

A) the subjective approach
B) the reputational approach
C) the objective approach
D) the individual approach
E) the dynamic approach

Question 26

Martin Luther King,Jr.is an example of an individual with ________,a source of power.

A) prestige
B) charisma
C) property
D) life chances
E) status inconsistency

Question 27

The respect,recognition,or regard attached to a social position is called

A) power.
B) prestige.
C) esteem.
D) reverence.
E) clout.

Question 28

_____ is the ability of individuals or groups to achieve goals,control events,and maintain influence over others despite opposition.

A) Property
B) Prestige
C) Regard
D) Power
E) Adeptness

Question 29

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: Some individuals in this social class flaunt their money and spend it on lavish goods and services to enhance their prestige.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 30

According to C.Wright Mills,the _____ make/s all of the important decisions in society.

A) power house
B) power train
C) power elite
D) power dynamic
E) physically powerful

Question 31

Donald Trump,Bill Gates,and Ronald Reagan are examples of individuals who fit into this social class.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 32

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: The males in this social class,especially white males,are likely to shape economics,politics,and laws.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 33

Noah is studying social class.He is asking individuals to identify the social classes within their own neighborhood.Which approach is Noah using to measure social class?

A) the subjective approach
B) the reputational approach
C) the objective approach
D) the individual approach
E) the dynamic approach

Question 34

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: Approximately 1% of the American population fits into this social class.Often,these individuals inherited their wealth.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 35

More prestigious occupations involve

A) more abstract thought and mental activity than low prestige occupations.
B) less abstract thought and mental activity than low prestige occupations.
C) more creative work than low prestige occupations.
D) less creative work than low prestige occupations.
E) less formal education than low prestige occupations.

Question 36

Stephanie is a best-selling author of children's books.While she makes a very good income,she has very little power or prestige.This is an example of

A) status roles.
B) status inconsistency.
C) role reversal.
D) role discrepancy.
E) a bad publicist.

Question 37

Funeral directors earn a healthy salary,but score low on the occupational prestige scale.This is an example of

A) role reversal.
B) role discrepancy.
C) status inconsistency.
D) status roles.
E) a bad publicist.

Question 38

Alexis is studying social class.She is asking individuals to rate their own social class standing.Which approach is Alexis using to measure social class?

A) the subjective approach
B) the reputational approach
C) the objective approach
D) the individual approach
E) the dynamic approach

Question 39

More prestigious occupations require

A) more technical training than low prestige occupations.
B) less technical training than low prestige occupations.
C) less formal education than low prestige occupations.
D) more formal education than low prestige occupations.
E) less abstract thought than low prestige occupations.

Question 40

A college professor is higher on the prestige scale that which of the following occupations?

A) lawyer
B) doctor
C) Supreme Court judge
D) dentist
E) computer systems analyst

Question 41

_____ poverty is not having enough money to afford the most basic necessities of life (i.e.,food,clothing,shelter).

A) Absolute
B) Relative
C) Subjective
D) Objective
E) Unqualified

Question 42

Social class affects all aspects of our lives.Max Weber referred to the consequences of social stratification as

A) stratification likelihood.
B) structural factors.
C) aggregates.
D) life chances.
E) habitus.

Question 43

In 2010,_____% of Americans lived below the official poverty line.

A) 1
B) 15
C) 23
D) 40
E) 66

Question 44

Compared to thirty-five years ago,the number of people living in poverty has

A) increased.
B) decreased.
C) stayed the same.
D) fluctuated.
E) increased and then decreased..

Question 45

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: This social class consists of skilled and semiskilled laborers,including factory works and other blue-collar workers.Individuals in this social class typically do not have advanced degrees.

A) upper-middle class
B) lower-middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 46

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: This social class relies heavily on public assistance.Individuals in this class are the most likely to turn to crime as a survival strategy.

A) upper-middle class
B) lower-middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 47

The Johnson family cannot afford to buy food for their children.The Johnson family is living in

A) absolute poverty.
B) relative poverty.
C) subjective poverty.
D) objective poverty.
E) squalor.

Question 48

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: This social class includes approximately one-quarter of the U.S.population.Individuals in this social class typically work in non-manual and semiprofessional occupations.

A) lower-upper class
B) upper-middle class
C) lower-middle class
D) working class
E) working poor

Question 49

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: People in this social class have little education,few occupational skills,and often work in minimum wage jobs.They often live just above the poverty line.

A) upper-middle class
B) lower-middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 50

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: People in this social class are chronically unemployed and persistently poor.

A) upper-middle class
B) lower-middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 51

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: Most families in this social class rely on two incomes to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.This social class is strongly influenced by taxes,inflation,and employment patterns.

A) lower-upper class
B) upper-middle class
C) lower-middle class
D) working class
E) working poor

Question 52

If a family's income falls below the federal poverty line,the

A) family is not working hard enough.
B) family is registered on a federal list of poverty-stricken families.
C) family is eligible for government assistance.
D) family will be humiliated.
E) government is obligated to provide complete assistance.

Question 53

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: This social class experiences high debts and credit card bills.Many people in this social class see their jobs as boring and routine.

A) upper-middle class
B) lower-middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 54

_____ poverty is not having enough money to maintain an average standard of living.

A) Absolute
B) Relative
C) Subjective
D) Objective
E) Qualified

Question 55

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: Approximately 13% of the American population fits into this social class.These individuals rely on some assistance from community resources,such as food pantries and soup kitchens.

A) upper-middle class
B) lower-middle class
C) working class
D) working poor
E) underclass

Question 56

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: People in this social class generally have occupations which require advanced education and degrees.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 57

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: This social class lives on earned income rather than wealth.In most families,both spouses work to provide economic security for their family.

A) lower-upper class
B) upper-middle class
C) lower-middle class
D) working class
E) working poor

Question 58

Identify which social class the following description illustrates: Individuals in this social class send their children to high quality schools and enroll their children in a variety of extra-curricular activities.

A) upper-upper class
B) lower-upper class
C) upper-middle class
D) lower-middle class
E) working class

Question 59

The Williams family cannot afford to send their children to buy a newer model television.The Williams family is living in

A) absolute poverty.
B) relative poverty.
C) subjective poverty.
D) objective poverty.
E) squalor.

Question 60

The _____ is the minimum level of income that the federal government considers necessary for basic subsistence.

A) absolute poverty line
B) relative poverty rate
C) poverty line
D) poverty rate
E) poverty level

Question 61

The best way to become upwardly mobile is to

A) be born in the right neighborhood.
B) choose the right parents.
C) elect the right President.
D) get habitus.
E) meet a celebrity.

Question 62

Children make up 24% of the U.S.population,and _______ of the poor.

A) 11%
B) 28%
C) 36%
D) 44%
E) 58%

Question 63

Stratification is necessary for a society's survival.This statement best represents which theoretical perspective?

A) conflict
B) functionalist
C) symbolic interactionist
D) feminist
E) exchange theory

Question 64

_____ is a person's movement up or down the class hierarchy.

A) Social stratification
B) Social mobility
C) Social movement
D) Social change
E) Social hierarchy

Question 65

Men shape stratification systems because they control a disproportionate share of the resources.This statement best represents which theoretical perspective?

A) conflict
B) functionalist
C) symbolic interactionist
D) feminist
E) exchange theory

Question 66

Stratification encourages worker exploitation and promotes the interests of the rich and powerful.This statement best represents which theoretical perspective?

A) conflict
B) functionalist
C) symbolic interactionist
D) feminist
E) exchange theory

Question 67

Which of the following is not a demographic factor that affects social mobility?

A) education
B) ethnicity
C) socialization
D) race
E) sex

Question 68

Which of the following is not a structural factor that might affect social mobility?

A) changes in the economy
B) mortality rates among the middle-aged
C) number of employment positions available
D) immigration
E) ethnicity

Question 69

Because of programs such as Medicare and Medicaid,the poverty rate among the elderly is

A) nearly nonexistent.
B) higher than that of children.
C) about the same as that of children.
D) at an all-time low.
E) at an all-time high.

Question 70

Stephanie's parents were factory workers.Stephanie,however,earned a doctorate degree and now teaches at a university.Stephanie has experienced

A) intergenerational mobility.
B) intragenerational mobility.
C) vertical mobility.
D) horizontal mobility.
E) occupational mobility.

Question 71

An estimated _____ million Americans are likely to experience homelessness in a given year.

A)0.5
B)2.0
C)3.5
D)7.5
E)12.5

Question 72

Samuel is a researcher who believes that individuals who are poor are "deficient" in some way.Samuel is

A) "blaming society."
B) "feminizing poverty."
C) "emphasizing social factors."
D) "sustaining poverty."
E) "blaming the poor."

Question 73

Riley,a medical assistant,earns $49,000 annually.She decided to move from the emergency department to the pediatrics department for about the same salary.Riley has experienced

A) intergenerational mobility.
B) intragenerational mobility.
C) vertical mobility.
D) horizontal mobility.
E) medical mobility.

Question 74

The term _____ is used to describe the likelihood that female heads of households will be poor.

A) "world systems"
B) "inequality"
C) "le femme poverty"
D) "feminization of poverty"
E) "female dependency"

Question 75

Beverly is a secretary in the sociology department.Beverly accepted a new position in the President's Office,which would include a substantial salary increase.Beverly has experienced

A) intergenerational mobility.
B) intragenerational mobility.
C) occupational mobility.
D) educational mobility.
E) perpendicular mobility.

Question 76

The _____ view contends that the poor are "deficient" --that they share some problems, values,attitudes,and beliefs about life which are different from those who are not poor.

A) world-systems
B) culture of poverty
C) feminization of poverty
D) modernization
E) dependency

Question 77

Herbert Gans suggested that poverty and inequality serve many functions for society.Which of the following is not one of those functions?

A) Poverty ensures that society's "dirty work" will get done.
B) The poor subsidize the middle and upper classes by working for low wages.
C) The poor buy goods and services that would otherwise be rejected.
D) The poor absorb the cost of social change and community growth.
E) The poor serve the middle and upper classes in their homes and schools.

Question 78

Which of the following is not a demographic factor that might affect social mobility?

A) education
B) gender
C) race
D) personal connections
E) ethnicity

Question 79

Kelly was a paralegal.She decided to continue her education and earn her law degree.Kelly is now a copyright attorney.She has experienced

A) intergenerational mobility.
B) perpendicular mobility.
C) vertical mobility.
D) horizontal mobility.
E) occupational mobility.

Question 80

Families living on less than _______ of the federal poverty line are considered "severely poor" by the U.S.Census Bureau.

A) 100%
B) 90%
C) 70%
D) 50%
E) 30%