Class

Question 1

What is the functionalist perspective on class inequalities?

Answer 1

Stratification is functionally necessary and allocates people to the right roles.

This perspective suggests that rewards motivate people to perform to the highest standards.

Question 2

Who proposed the idea of value consensus in relation to class inequalities?

Answer 2

Parsons

Parsons argues that those who contribute the most deserve the highest rewards.

Question 3

What does Rastogi’s theory emphasize about human capital?

Answer 3

Some people develop more human capital than others.

This suggests variations in skills and education levels among individuals.

Question 4

According to Davis and Moore, what is the role of stratification?

Answer 4

Role allocation and performance.

They argue that rewards are based on meritocracy rather than family background.

Question 5

What contemporary example is used to illustrate meritocracy?

Answer 5

Lord Alan Sugar

He is often cited as an example of success based on merit rather than inheritance.

Question 6

What is meant by ‘functional uniqueness’ in Davis and Moore’s theory?

Answer 6

Some jobs involve skills that not everyone can do.

For example, not everyone can be a surgeon, whereas many can be porters.

Question 7

What criticism did Tumin (1953) offer regarding the consensus over rewards?

Answer 7

There is conflict and resentment over rewards.

Tumin argued that some people are motivated by altruism rather than rewards.

Question 8

What is Marx’s view on class conflict and stratification?

Answer 8

It creates alienation, economic crisis, and polarization.

Marx believed the stratification system is not a consensus.

Question 9

What contemporary example does Tumin use to criticize meritocracy?

Answer 9

The Duke of Westminster

Used to illustrate how some individuals benefit from the system without merit.

Question 10

What does Bruegel argue about the meritocratic system?

Answer 10

It eliminates women from the process.

Women are often used as a reserve army of labor to support capitalism.

Question 11

According to Tumin, what is a significant dysfunction of stratification?

Answer 11

It creates hostility.

Tumin emphasized that all jobs are equally important.

Question 12

What concept did Braverman (1974) introduce regarding the middle class?

Answer 12

Proletarianisation of the middle class.

This refers to workers being replaced by machines.

Question 13

What is meant by ‘false class consciousness’ in Marx’s theory?

Answer 13

The proletariat is unaware they are being exploited.

Once they become aware, they will seek to overthrow capitalism.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: Stratification is based on _______ rather than family background.

Answer 14

meritocracy

Question 15

True or False: According to Davis and Moore, rewards are not based on performance.

Answer 15

False

They argue that rewards are indeed based on merit and performance.

Question 16

What is Marx’s view on class conflict?

Answer 16

Marx believes in class conflict, where the divide between the two classes grows wider, leading to alienation and economic crisis.

Question 17

What is Gramsci’s concept of hegemony?

Answer 17

Gramsci argues that the ruling class maintains control through persuasion rather than force, using media and education to influence the working class.

Question 18

What is ‘false class consciousness’ according to Marx?

Answer 18

‘False class consciousness’ is the idea that the proletariat must recognize their exploitation to achieve a classless society, or communism.

Question 19

What does Parsons say about social stratification?

Answer 19

Parsons asserts that a stratification system is necessary, reflecting a value consensus, where the working class is alienated due to lower rewarded jobs.

Question 20

What is Beck’s perspective on modern society?

Answer 20

Beck suggests that society has shifted to a ‘risk society’, where shared class interests have disappeared, and individuals prioritize personal interests.

Question 21

What is Saunders’ critique of communism?

Answer 21

Saunders argues that communism cannot achieve social equality without considerable force, and capitalism is successful in most Western societies.

Question 22

What do Davis and Moore contribute to the discussion of social inequality?

Answer 22

Davis and Moore discuss role allocation and performance in society.

Question 23

What does Braverman predict about the working class?

Answer 23

Braverman predicts the proletarianization of the middle classes, with the gap between rich and poor widening as workers are replaced by machines.

Question 24

What is Abbott’s criticism of the Goldthorpe scale?

Answer 24

Abbott criticizes the Goldthorpe scale for neglecting women’s experiences in social mobility and introduces the Surrey scale to address this.

Question 25

How does the Surrey scale differ from the Goldthorpe scale?

Answer 25

The Surrey scale avoids basing women's mobility on their husband's occupation, recognizing that many women work part-time.

Question 26

Who argued that working class women are exploited in the home to support capitalism?

Answer 26

Benston, 1972 ## Footnote Benston suggests that men are less likely to challenge capitalism as it is their role to provide, while women stabilize capitalism.

Question 27

What term did Ansley use to describe working class women in relation to capitalism?

Answer 27

'takers of shit' ## Footnote Ansley argued that working class women play a crucial role in maintaining capitalism.

Question 28

What concept did Bruegel introduce regarding women in the workforce?

Answer 28

'reserve army of labour' ## Footnote Bruegel noted that women are particularly affected by redundancies, low pay, and job insecurity.

Question 29

According to Saunders, what is the functional role of inequality?

Answer 29

Motivate people to compete ## Footnote Saunders believes that a degree of inequality is desirable and functional.

Question 30

What did Murray identify as a consequence of US government policies?

Answer 30

Dependency culture ## Footnote Murray argued that these policies create a lack of motivation for poor people to improve their circumstances.

Question 31

What does Saunders say about equality of opportunity?

Answer 31

Everyone has equal opportunities but not everyone has equality of outcomes ## Footnote He believes this inequality is functional to motivate competition.

Question 32

What issues did Murray associate with the 'underclass' in Britain?

Answer 32

Rising birth rates outside of marriage, crime, youth unemployment ## Footnote Murray suggested these were signs that the underclass was 'infecting' Britain.

Question 33

What did Marsland argue about welfare benefits?

Answer 33

Over generous welfare benefits create a culture of dependency ## Footnote Marsland's critique is aimed at the underclass and their reliance on welfare.

Question 34

What is Beck's perspective on class in society?

Answer 34

Class is losing its significance ## Footnote Beck argues that people have become more individualized.

Question 35

What concept did Davis and Moore introduce regarding job skills?

Answer 35

Functional uniqueness and meritocracy ## Footnote They argue that some jobs require unique skills that not everyone possesses.

Question 36

What is the role of education according to Davis and Moore?

Answer 36

Meritocratic role allocation ## Footnote They suggest that education serves to allocate roles based on talent.

Question 37

What does Marx mean by 'false consciousness'?

Answer 37

Misunderstanding of one's social position ## Footnote Marx believed that this focus on the bottom class ignores the widening gap between rich and poor.

Question 38

What does Weber suggest about status?

Answer 38

Status can be achieved elsewhere ## Footnote Weber noted that individuals can attain status through achievements unrelated to their economic class.

Question 39

What are 'life chances' according to Weber?

Answer 39

Opportunities for advancement ## Footnote Weber emphasizes that educational achievement can lead to better employment chances.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The education system is ______ according to Davis and Moore.

Answer 40

meritocratic

Question 41

True or False: According to Murray, the underclass is responsible for their own poverty.

Answer 41

False ## Footnote Murray argues it is unclear who is responsible for the issues faced by the underclass.

Question 42

What is Weber's definition of social class?

Answer 42

A group that shares the same market situation (similar economic rewards). There is an economic division.

Question 43

How does Weber link status to social class?

Answer 43

Status is linked to a person's economic or class position and the distribution of social honour.

Question 44

What are life chances according to Weber?

Answer 44

Some members of society have much better opportunities than others to achieve desirable things in life. Life chances are closely linked to social class background.

Question 45

How do working-class life chances compare to middle-class life chances?

Answer 45

Working-class individuals are less likely to have good education, well-paid jobs, own homes, and enjoy leisure activities compared to middle-class individuals.

Question 46

What does Weber mean by 'PARTY'?

Answer 46

It refers to how much political power you possess. Parties exercise power or influence decision making.

Question 47

What is Marx's view on social classes?

Answer 47

Focusing on multiple social classes detracts from the importance of class divisions in capitalist societies, emphasizing class struggle and conflict.

Question 48

What are the two classes identified by Marx?

Answer 48

The bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Question 49

What concept does Gramsci introduce regarding the working class?

Answer 49

The working class sides with the ruling class due to hegemony, using media and education to control their minds.

Question 50

What is dual consciousness according to Gramsci?

Answer 50

Many working-class individuals are aware of the inequalities and injustices of capitalism.

Question 51

What is Parsons' view on rewards in society?

Answer 51

Those who contribute more deserve higher rewards, and life chances are well deserved based on contributions to society.

Question 52

What does Saunders argue about inequality?

Answer 52

A degree of inequality is necessary, and everyone is judged by the same laws, which is functional to motivate competition.