Deck 9: Understanding Social Class and Inequality in Capitalist Societies

Question 1

Which theorist would argue that the division between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is the key to stratification in capitalist societies?

A) Durkheim
B) Weber
C) Marx
D) Suzuki

Answer 1

Marx

Question 2

According to Karl Marx, the capitalist class owns the means of production. He referred to this class as the __________.

A) proletariat
B) bourgeoisie
C) elite
D) conservatives

Answer 2

bourgeoisie

Question 3

Which of the following is responsible for the global divide in wealth we now experience?

A) Cultural bias
B) Social stratification
C) Colonialism
D) Industrial revolution

Answer 3

Industrial revolution

Question 4

When sociologists discuss the effects of "class"in a society they are referring to which of the following?

A) How people behave
B) Economic resources
C) Social mobility
D) Educational status

Question 5

What is the term Marx used to explain how work is organized around the tools and technology that is available for people to use in order to transform their environment?

A) Social relations of production
B) Mode of production
C) Theory of production
D) Forces of production

Question 6

Which of the following is not one of the elements of Marx's forces of production?

A) An assembly line
B) Water
C) An owner
D) Computer software

Question 7

Which of the following does not represent one of the reasons for white-collar workers being higher in demand than blue-collar and primary industry workers?

A) There is an increased need for information-based workers.
B) There is a need for workers in the manufacturing sector.
C) There is an increased need for highly skilled and educated workers.
D) There is a need for skilled workers to be involved in organizations and government.

Question 8

According to Weber, what is the relationship between class and status?

A) A person's status is generally derived from their social position.
B) There is no relationship between class and status.
C) Class is generally derived from a person's status position.
D) Class and status have essentially the same meaning.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about Marx and Weber's perspectives on class is not true?

A) For both Marx and Weber, the most important class distinction is between those who own property and those who do not.
B) Marx and Weber both focused on the relationship between economic processes and social structure.
C) Marx defined class based on economic position while Weber defined class based on social statusposition.
D) Marx believed that class was based on ownership of property while Weber believed that class was . based on wealth, prestige and status.

Question 10

Which of the following is not considered an example of a mode of production?

A) Capitalist
B) Feudal
C) Constitutional
D) Socialist

Question 11

Which of the following elements is not representative of the colonization of the First Nations Peopleby the British?

A) Granting independence to the people
B) Exploitation of land and resources
C) Limited opportunities in education
D) Few economic resources

Question 12

Which of the following statement is true of social inequality and social stratification in Canada?

A)All types of workers can expect to have the opportunity to earn higher incomes, hold a proportionate amount of the country's wealth and enjoy more prestige
B) Primary industry workers are more likely to earn higher incomes, hold a proportionate amount of the country's wealth while having little prestige
C) Blue-collar workers are more likely to earn lower incomes, hold a disproportionate amount of the country's wealth and have more opportunity for upward social mobility
D) White-collar workers can expect to earn higher incomes, hold a disproportionate amount of the country's wealth and enjoy more prestige

Question 13

Which of the following statements best explains the motivation for attending a post-secondary institution in a capitalist economy like Canada?

A)Canada as a meritocracy rewards those who work to improve themselves through education in terms of increased likelihood of upward social mobility, higher income, and social prestige.
B) As education is readily available in Canada everyone has an equal chance to earn an education and improve their social mobility, income and social prestige.
C) A post-secondary education earned in Canada ensures that individuals will have equal opportunity to access valuable economic and social resources and privilege.
D) Those in Canada with a post-secondary degree can expect to find white-collar jobs and enjoy higher incomes and the opportunity for upward social mobility.

Question 14

The statement that "stratification ensures that much talent and ability in a society will not be developed"is based on the perspective of _____ sociological theory.

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

Question 15

The Marxist approach to the study of class stresses the importance of _____ as a determinant of social behaviour

A) wealth
B) meritocracy
C) stratification
D) status groups

Question 16

Which of the following statements about poverty is untrue?

A) Worldwide poverty is distributed unequally
B) Poverty is a problem only in developing countries
C) Poverty is a worldwide problem
D) Worldwide poverty is distributed equally

Question 17

How is relative poverty understood globally?

A) In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered poor by Canadian standards would169)also be poor by global standards
B) In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered poor by Canadian standards would be well off by global standards.
C) In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered well-off by Canadian standards would be well off by global standards.
D) In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered well-off by Canadian standards would be poor by global standards.

Question 18

___________ poverty is a floating standard of deprivation by which people at the bottom of a society, whatever their lifestyles, are judged to be disadvantaged in comparison with the nation as a whole

A) Relative
B) Absolute
C) Structural
D) Extreme

Question 19

A student was asked to explain the relationship between access to economic resources and meritocracy. The following is her answer: "A person's access to economic resources in a capitalist economy shapes their social roles and social norms which has the potential to affect their opportunities for higher education which is linked to increased social advantage and rewards." How would you judge this student's answer?

A) Excellent (the statement is correct, with a clear and correct assumption about the concept)
B) Good (the statement is correct, but the assumption about the concept is incorrect)
C) Mediocre (the statement is correct, but the assumptions about the concept are irrelevant)
D) Unacceptable (the statement is incorrect and the explanation is unclear and irrelevant)