Behavioral Sciences 12: Social Stratification Flashcards
(33 cards)
social class
a category of people who share a similar socioeconomic position in society
what aspects of status does socioeconomic status depend on?
ascribed and achieved status
prestige
the amount of positive regard society has for a given person or idea
power
the ability to affect others’ behavior through real or perceived rewards and punishments
is based on the unequal distribution of valued resources
marxist theory
theory that proposes that the proletariat (have nots) could over through the bourgeoisie (haves) and the entire capitalist economy by developing class consciousness
class consciousness
the organization of the working class around shared goals and recognition of a need for collective political action
false consciousness
a misconception of one’s actual position within society
anomie
a lack of social norms
the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and society
accelerates social inequality
ex. excessive individualism, social inequality, isolation
strain theory
theory that focuses on how anomic conditions can lead to deviance
what are the two primary sources of social trust?
social norms of reciprocity
social networks
social capital
the investments people make in their society in return for economic or collective rewards
one of the most powerful tools: social networks that can be established through strong or weak ties
what types of social inequality can be created by social networks?
situational - socioeconomic advantage
positional - based on how connected one is within a network
privilege
inequality in opportunity
cultural capital
benefits one receives from knowledge, abilities, and skills
social mobility
the result of an economic and occupational structure that allows one to acquire higher-level employment and opportunities given proper credentials and experience requirements
meritocracy
a society in which advancement up the social ladder is based on intellectual talent and achievement
vertical mobility
movement from one social class to another
horizontal mobility
a change in occupation or lifestyle that remains within the same social class
poverty
low socioeconomic status and lack of possessions or financial resources
social reproduction
the passing on or reproduction of social inequality (especially poverty) from one generation to the next
structural poverty
theory based on concept of “holes” in the structure of society rather than poverty due to actions of the individual
absolute poverty
people do not have enough resources to acquire basic life resources such as shelter, food, clothing and water
relative poverty
one is poor in comparison to a larger population
social exclusion
a sense of powerlessness when individuals feel alienated from society
