ch 12 - Social Stratification Flashcards
(45 cards)
social class
a category of people who share a similar socioeconomic position in society; can be identified by looking at economic opportunities, job positions, lifestyles, attitudes, and behaviors of a given piece of society
social stratification
focuses on social inequalities and studies the basic question of who gets what and why
socioeconomic status (SES)
may depend on ascribed or achieved status
ascribed status
derives from clearly identifiable characteristics, such as age, gender, skin color (involuntary)
achieved status
acquired via direct, individual efforts (merit)
difference between castes (and estate) systems and class systems
castes are defined by ascribed status; classes are defined by achieved status
prestige
refers to the amount of positive regard society has for a given person or idea
power
the ability to affect others’ behaviors through real or perceived rewards and punishments, based on the unequal distribution of valued resources
Marxist theory
the proletariat (have nots) could overthrow the bourgeoisie (haves), as well as the entire capitalist economy by developing class consciousness
class consciousness
refers to the organization of the working class around shared goals and recognition of a need for collective political action
false consciousness
major barrier to class consciousness: misperception of one’s actual position within society; in case of Marxism, members of proletariat were either not aware of their class, could not recognize commonalities between their own experiences and others, or otherwise were too clouded to assemble into revolutionaries
Anomie
refers to a lack of social norms, or breakdown of social bonds between an individual and society; further accelerates social inequality
strain theory
focuses on how anomic conditions can lead to deviance; anomic conditions include excessive individualism, social inequality, and isolation
social capital
can be considered the investments people make in their society in return for economic or collective rewards; the greater the investment, the higher the level of social integration and inclusion
privilege
inequality in opportunity
cultural capital
refers to the benefits one receives from knowledge, abilities and skills
strong ties
refer to peer group and kinship contacts, which are quantitatively small and qualitatively powerful
weak ties
refer to social connections that are personally superficial, such as associates, but that are large in number and provide connections to a wide range of other individuals
intersectionality
the compounding of disadvantage seen in individuals who belong to more than one oppressed group
five ethnicities model
white, black, Asian, Latino, Native American
social mobility
typically the result of an economic and occupational structure that allows one to acquire higher-level employment opportunities given proper credentials and experience requirements
intragenerational changes in social status
happen within a person’s lifetime
intergenerational changes in social status
from parents to children
meritocracy
based on intellectual talent and achievement, a means for a person to advance up the social ladder
