Ch 7 - Economic Inequality

Question 1

4 factors of social stratification

Answer 1

1. trait of society
2. carriers over between generations
3. is universal but variable
4. involves not just inequality but beliefs as well

Question 2

Stratification in a caste society

Answer 2

rigid because individuals are confined to a specific social group for their lifetime

Question 3

stratification in a class-based society

Answer 3

members of a given social class share a common economic standing and lifestyle. upward and downaward mobility possible.

Question 4

class

Answer 4

distinctions among groups of people based on income, occupation, and education

Question 5

economic inequality functional perspective

Answer 5

functionally important positions requite more skill, talent, and training and suffer because of scarcity. we need inequality to make sure functionalist positions are filled.

Question 6

meritocracy

Answer 6

the most important and functional positions to a society are the highest rewarded to ensure they are filled by the most competent people.

Question 7

Critiques of Davis and Moore (functionalists)

Answer 7

1. Rewards arent always representative of relative worth
2. May limit the discovery of talent. those born to privilege are given fuller opportunities and our potentially most equipped people go undiscovered.
3. others are limited by poor schooling, little money, and lack of networks.

Question 8

Economic conflict perspective (Marx)

Answer 8

Those who have power (capitalists) use stratification to create conditions that favor themselves even if they are detrimental to the lower classes or exploitative (workers)

Question 9

Income in US

Answer 9

Highest Quintile: 52%
Second: 8%
Third: 14%
Fourth: 23%
Lowest: 3%

Question 10

Income

Answer 10

money received in exchange for services or investments

Question 11

wealth

Answer 11

worth of assets minus debts

Question 12

Wealth distribution stats

Answer 12

Top 10% owns 76% of wealth, next 40% own 22%, bottom 50% own only 1% of available wealth.

Question 13

Health care, health, and access to consumer goods

Answer 13

Victims of economic inequality suffer health effects. higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and lack of food security (food deserts).

Question 14

neighborhood poverty

Answer 14

Poor neighborhoods; negative economics have worse social and educational conditions than mixed-income areas.

Question 15

economic inequality

Answer 15

unequal distribution of resources

Question 16

social stratification

Answer 16

the way goods and desired intangibles (such as social status and prestige) are distributed in society

Question 17

social class reproduction

Answer 17

method by which members of upper class ensure their children maintain their status

Question 18

structural mobility

Answer 18

occurs when changes to the structure promote downward or upward mobility for whole parts of the population