Are social class, social mobility and status linked?

Question 1

Social Class

Answer 1

Refers to a group of people who share a similar economic situation

Question 2

Life chances

Answer 2

The chances of obtaining those things defined as desirable and of avoiding those things defined as undesirable in any society

Question 3

Social mobility

Answer 3

Refers to the movement of groups or individuals up or down the social hierarchy from one social class to another

Question 4

Upper class

Answer 4

Main owners of wealth in society, including landowners and aristocracy. Have large assets so they don’t need to work for others

Question 5

Middle class

Answer 5

Those in non manual skilled jobs, usually performed in offices, involving paperwork

Question 6

Working class

Answer 6

Those working in manual jobs, working with their hands

Question 7

The underclass

Answer 7

Those people who are right at the bottom of the class structure, and whose poverty often excludes them from full participation in society

Question 8

Ascribed status

Answer 8

Is status given by birth or family background which in general can’t be changed by individuals. E.g ethnic group

Question 9

Achieved status

Answer 9

Is status that is achieved by an individual’s own efforts or talents. E.g through education or skill

Question 10

Ethnicity

Answer 10

Refers to the shared culture of a social group which gives its members a common identity in some ways different from that of other social groups.

Question 11

Gender

Answer 11

Refers to the culturally created differences between men and women which are learnt through socialization.