CHAPTER 4 - Different lives in Denmark

Question 1

Absolute poverty

Answer 1

Absolute poverty refers to a state where individuals do not have enough resources to secure the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing.

Question 2

Career mobility

Answer 2

Career mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move from one job position to another throughout their career.

Question 3

Cultural capital

Answer 3

Cultural capital refers to the resources and knowledge that are transmitted across generations and are valued by social institutions.

Question 4

Decile

Answer 4

Decile is a statistical measure that divides the population into ten equal parts, in terms of income or some other variable.

Question 5

Economic capital

Answer 5

Economic capital refers to an individual’s financial resources, including their income, savings, and property.

Question 6

Explanatory model

Answer 6

The explanatory model refers to the belief systems and frameworks that people use to help make sense of the world.

Question 7

Extended language code

Answer 7

Extended language code refers to a style of communication associated with the middle and upper classes, which is characterized by more complex vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.

Question 8

Field

Answer 8

Field refers to a social domain, such as the academic field or the political field, where individuals and groups compete for resources, status, and power.

Question 9

Generational mobility

Answer 9

Generational mobility refers to the changes in social class status that occur between generations.

Question 10

Habitus

Answer 10

Habitus refers to the ingrained habits, dispositions, and tastes that are acquired through socialization and becomes second nature to individuals.

Question 11

Income

Answer 11

Income refers to the money earned from work, investments, or other sources.

Question 12

Inequality

Answer 12

Inequality refers to the distribution of resources, opportunities, and rewards across a society.

Question 13

Job position

Answer 13

Job position refers to an individual’s place within an organization, defined by their role, responsibilities, and level of authority.

Question 14

Level of education

Answer 14

Level of education refers to the amount of schooling completed by an individual.

Question 15

Life modes

Answer 15

Life modes refer to the different ways that people organize their lives, including work, family, and leisure.

Question 16

Lifestyles

Answer 16

Lifestyles refer to the patterns of behaviour, values, and consumption associated with particular social groups.

Question 17

Limited language code

Answer 17

Limited language code refers to a style of communication associated with working-class and poor people, which is characterized by simpler vocabulary and grammar.

Question 18

Living conditions

Answer 18

Living conditions refer to the material environment in which people live, including their housing, amenities, and neighbourhood.

Question 19

Marginalization

Answer 19

Marginalization refers to the social exclusion and powerlessness experienced by particular groups in society.

Question 20

Minerva model

Answer 20

The Minerva model is a Danish-developed model that quickly and easily provides an insight into the lifestyle of Danes divided into five main groups. The model is built around a coordinate system where the y-axis distinguishes between modern/traditional and the x-axis distinguishes between idealistic/materialistic.

This gives four different segments; the green, blue, pink and violet, plus a smaller fifth segment in the middle called the grey segment.

The five segments map the population on the basis of lifestyle and values. It includes factors such as gender, age, work and geography, giving an insight into the Danish population as a whole.

The model’s effective segmentation of the population makes it relevant for working with policy purposes where lifestyle and life values are linked to our political views.

It is also useful for business purposes, as companies can use it to gain insight into customers’ needs in terms of lifestyle, attitudes and life goals. In this way, they can determine which audiences are relevant to target for specific campaigns.

Question 21

Negative social inheritance

Answer 21

Negative social inheritance refers to the disadvantages transmitted across generations, such as poverty and low social status.

Question 22

Pattern breaker

Answer 22

Pattern breaker refers to someone who breaks with the social expectations and assumptions associated with their social class or background.

Question 23

Positive social inheritance

Answer 23

Positive social inheritance refers to the advantages transmitted across generations, such as high social status and cultural capital.

Question 24

Poverty

Answer 24

Poverty refers to a state of extreme deprivation, characterized by a lack of resources (money) and opportunities.

Question 25

Poverty line

Answer 25

The poverty line refers to the official measure of poverty, which is set as the minimum income needed to secure the basic necessities of life.

Question 26

Relative poverty

Answer 26

Relative poverty refers to a state where individuals have fewer resources and opportunities than the average in their society.

Question 27

Segment

Answer 27

Segment refers to a group or cohort within a larger population, with shared characteristics and experiences.

Question 28

Self-reinforcing devaluation process

Answer 28

Self-reinforcing devaluation process refers to a process whereby certain groups or identities become stigmatized and marginalized, leading to further disadvantage and exclusion.

Question 29

Social capital

Answer 29

Social capital refers to the networks, relationships, and social support that individuals can draw on to achieve their goals.

Question 30

Social class

Answer 30

Social class analysis refers to the study of how social class operates in society, including its effects on individuals, groups, and institutions.

Question 31

Social differentiation

Answer 31

Social differentiation refers to the process of creating and maintaining social distinctions based on factors such as social class, race, and gender.

Question 32

Socially disadvantaged

Answer 32

Socially disadvantaged refers to individuals or groups who face significant obstacles or disadvantages in achieving their goals.

Question 33

Social exclusion

Answer 33

Social exclusion refers to the persistent and systematic exclusion of particular groups from full participation in society.

Question 34

Social groups

Answer 34

Social groups refer to groups of individuals who share common characteristics or experiences.

Question 35

Social inheritance

Answer 35

Social inheritance refers to the advantages and disadvantages that are transmitted across generations, through social and cultural mechanisms.

Question 36

Social marginalization

Answer 36

Social marginalization refers to the exclusion and disempowerment experienced by particular individuals or groups in society.

Question 37

Social mobility

Answer 37

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups between different social classes or positions in a society.

Question 38

Stratification

Answer 38

Stratification refers to the way that society is organized into layers or strata, based on factors such as social class, income, and education.

Question 39

Which factors determine the life situation of individuals?

Answer 39

The life situation of individuals is determined by a range of factors, including their social background, education, income, job position, and living conditions.

Question 40

What are lifestyles?

Answer 40

Lifestyles refer to the patterns of behaviour, values, and consumption associated with particular social groups.

Question 41

How can we divide the Danish population into social classes?

Answer 41

In Denmark, one way to divide the population into social classes is by looking at their job position and educational level. For example, the middle class tends to be composed of individuals in white-collar jobs with higher levels of education, while the working class tends to be composed of individuals in blue-collar jobs with lower levels of education.

Bonus:
-White collar jobs usually refer to professional or office jobs that require higher education, such as lawyers, doctors, or managers. These jobs usually involve mental labor and may require more abstract thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Blue collar jobs, on the other hand, typically involve manual work or physical labor, such as factory workers, construction workers, or machine operators. These jobs often do not require a high level of education, but do require skill and training in a particular trade or craft.

Question 42

What is inequality in Denmark?

Answer 42

Denmark, like most societies, has significant inequality in terms of income and social status. Some groups - such as immigrants, women, and people with disabilities - may face greater disadvantages and discrimination.

Question 43

Do we have poverty in Denmark?

Answer 43

Although Denmark has a relatively comprehensive welfare system, poverty still exists in the country. Some individuals and families may struggle to secure the basic necessities of life, such as food, housing, and healthcare. However, the extent and nature of poverty in Denmark is subject to debate and varies depending on how poverty is defined and measured.