Soc Exam 2 Flashcards
(133 cards)
1
Q
Social Stratification
A
A system by which a society categorizes people and ranks them in a hierarchy
-different societies stratify people according to different criteria (race, class, gender)
2
Q
4 Principles of Social Stratification
A
- a trait of society, not individual differences
- carries over from generation
- universal but variable
- involves inequality (what) and beliefs (why)
3
Q
Social Inequality
A
unequal distribution of wealth, power, or prestige
4
Q
Slavery
A
most extreme form of social stratification and based on legal ownership of people
5
Q
Caste System
A
form of social stratification in which status is determined by one’s family history and background and cannot be changed
6
Q
Social Class
A
form of social stratification based on access to resources such as wealth, power, prestige
7
Q
Modern Day Slavery
A
2017: 8500 cases reported in U.S.
- prisoner labor
- human trafficking
- debt bondage
- sex slavery
- child soldiers
- forced labor
8
Q
Class Systems
A
A system of stratification based on access to resources such as wealth, poverty, power, prestige
-shapes by more than income and wealth; cultural distinctions also at play
9
Q
Intersectionality
A
a concept that identifies how categories of inequality (class, race, gender) intersect
10
Q
Stratification systems rest upon beliefs about
A
why people should be unequal
11
Q
Ideology
A
cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements
12
Q
Weberian Theory of Social Class
A
-included cultural factors argued class was made up of 3 components: wealth, power, prestige
13
Q
Weberian Theory: Wealth
A
measure of net worth that includes income, property, other assets
14
Q
Weberian Theory: Power
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ability to impose one’s will on others
15
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Weberian Theory: Prestige
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social honor people are given because of their membership in well-regarded social groups
16
Q
Structural functionalism
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system of stratification that has emerged is functional to society in many ways
17
Q
Davis-Moore Thesis
A
Certain roles are more important for the functioning of society and these roles may be more difficult to fill, so more incentive is needed
-greater rewards are necessary for work that requires more training or skill
18
Q
Melvin Tumin’s Criticisms of Davis & Moore
A
Rewards don’t always reflect actual contributions to society
Social position is often generational, which can prevent the development of individual talent
19
Q
Bourdieu’s Theory of Social Reproduction
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the tendency for social-class status to be passed down from one generation to the next
20
Q
Symbolic Interactionism Theory of Social Class
A
Examine way in which we use status differences to categorize ourselves or others
-Goffman pointed out our clothing, speech, gestures, possessions, friends, activities, etc. provide information about socioeconomic status
21
Q
Rising U.S. income inequality attributed to
A
the reversal of New Deal policies and reduced tax rates for the rich
- first instituted under Ronald Reagan
- top 1% receives about 20% of income and controls 40% of wealth
22
Q
What has played major role on rising income inequality in U.S.?
A
- social security and spending was funded through increased taxes on the wealthy
- 1980s: Ronald Reagan dramatically reduced taxes on wealthy
23
Q
What theorists think about income inequality?
A
Marx: going to lead to some revolution that results in equal distribution of wealth
Durkheim: Inequality functions as motivation, separation of classes that are disconnected, allows each class to find own sense of place and purpose; some level of inequality could be functional for society but if too out of whack, could lead to dysfunction and change
Weber: how power tends to map on to inequality?
24
Q
Belonging to a certain social class has profound consequences for individuals in all areas of life, including
A
family, health, education, work and income, and criminal justice
25
Annette Lareau Video on Income Inequality
- middle class learn how to interact with institutions with the organizations they are part of in HS
- distinct parenting between classes; both groups love their children but have different styles; middle class have abilities that reward and are favored by institutions
26
Social Mobility
movement of individuals or groups within the hierarchical system of social classes
27
Closed System
very little opportunity to move from one class to another
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Open System
ample opportunity to move from one class to another
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Intergenerational Mobility
movement between social classes that occurs from one generation to the next
30
Intragenerational Mobility
movement between social classes that occurs over course of an individual's lifetime
31
Horizontal Social Mobility
occupational movement of individuals or groups within a social class
32
Vertical Social Mobility
movement between social classes and, depending on the direction, is often either upward mobility or downward mobility
33
Structural Mobility
changes in the social status of large numbers of people due to structural changes in society
examples: economic recessions, expansion of higher education, deindustrialization
34
Poverty
the federal poverty line (an absolute measure of annual income) officially determines who should be categorized as poor
-most people living in poverty are not unemployed
35
Absolute Deprivation
objective measure of poverty that is defined by the inability to meet minimal standards for food, shelter, clothing, or healthcare
36
Relative Distribution
relational measure of poverty based on the standards of living
-people are considered poor if their standard of living is less than that of other members of society
37
Gender
personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being male or female
38
Sex
biological distinction between males and females
39
Human Sex Characteristics
Females: XX, estrogen, vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, shorter than males, breasts, wider hips than shoulders
Males: XY, testosterone, penis, testicles, scrotum, prostate
40
Essentialists
see gender as biological or genetic
Believe gender is:
- simple, two category (binary) system
- determined by chromosomes, hormones, genitalia
- permanent and unchanging
41
Third Gender in Other Cultures
- Hijras of Southeast Asia
| - Bacha Posh of Afghanistan
42
Constructionist Approach
sex, gender, and sexuality as social constructs
43
Queer Theorists
emphasize importance of difference and rejects ideas of innate identities or restrictive categories of gender and sexual identity
44
Gender Indentity
refers to individual's self-definition or sense of gender
45
Gender Expression
an individual's behavioral manifestations of gender
46
Sexual Orientation
inclination to be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual
47
Asexual
reject any sexual identity at all
48
Homophobia
fear of discrimination toward homosexuals or toward individuals who display purportedly gender-inappropriate behavior
49
Misogyny
ingrained prejudice against women; dislike, contempt, hatred of women
50
___, ____, and ____ are all bases of hierarchies of inequality in our society
sex, gender, sexuality
51
Interactionist Perspective
gender is achieved through interaction
| -walking, sitting, eating based on one's gender identity
52
West and Zimmerman: "Doing Gender"
- Gender is not an individual trait but an emergent feature of social situations
- Doing gender is undertaken by women and men whose competence as members of society is held hostage by its production
- Women and men can be seen as unfeminine or unmasculine, but that does not make them unfemale or unmale
- Women are held more strictly accountable than men when it comes to unpaid labor
53
Male- Female Differences
Most gender differences that we assume to be biological are really patterns of cultural patterns
-assumed that men are biologically and physically stronger
54
Agents of Gender Socialization
Family
Schools
Peer Groups
Mass Media
55
The Beauty Myth
- the idea that striving to be physically attractive to men is the key to women's happiness
- contributes to gender inequality by objectifying and sexualizing women
56
West and Zimmerman "Doing Gender"
Gender is created by social interactions
57
Gender Role Socialization
subtle, pervasive process of learning what constitutes masculinity and femininity
58
Social Learning Theory
babies and children learn behaviors and meanings through social interaction and internalize expectations of those around them
59
Schools
socialize children into gender roles that accord with their sex
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Peer groups
reinforce traditional gender roles, rewarded by peers when they conform to gender roles
61
Sex-role Behavior and Media
sex-role behavior is often portrayed in a highly stereotypical manner in the media: television, magazines
62
Sexism
belief that one sex is inherently superior to others
| -this ideology justifies male privilege
63
Institutional Sexism
Gender Discrimination that is ingrained in social institutions, and reflected in the policies and practices pf governments, and private and public organizations
- women are concentrated in low paying jobs
- legal system has historically excused violence against women
64
How women are disadvantages in institutional settings:
- do a disproportionate amount of housework
- earn less than male peers
- live in poverty
65
Feminization of Poverty
economic trend that women are more likely than men to live in poverty, due in part to the gendered gap in wages, the higher proportion of single mothers compared to single fathers, and the increasing cost of childcare
66
Factors that contribute to gender earnings gap:
- occupational sex segregation
- women have more responsibilities and so they have a delay in their profession and will not have the same seniority when they return to work
- discrimination that persists, men more likely to get promotions
67
Gendered Division of Unpaid Work
- stereotypically feminine tasks (changing diapers, bathing children) are expected of "loving" women/mothers
- socially acceptable for most masculine tasks to be done by paid workers outside of the family
68
Occupational Sex Segregation
women are usually in lower paying jobs, and more liely to work part-time or be a stay-at home parent
-as a result, tend to complete most time-consuming household chores
69
Motherhood Penalty
working mothers encounter systematic disadvantages in pay
70
The Second Shift
most feminine tasks must be completed more frequently, often everyday or multiple times a day
71
Feminism
belief in social, political, economic equality of the sxes and the social movements organized around the belief
72
First Wave Feminism
mid 1800s-1920; focused on suffrage for women
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Second Wave Feminism
1960s-70s; focused on women's equal access to employment and education
74
Third Wave Feminism
1980s-present; focuses on diversity among women's experiences
75
Men's Liberation
originated in 1970s to discuss the challenges of masculinity
76
Racism
a set of beliefs about the claimed superiority of one racial or ethnic group
77
Color-Blind Racism
an ideology that removes race as an explanation for inequality
-justifies opposition to efforts to reduce racial inequality by arguing that race us no longer important for one's life chances
78
White Privilege
unearned advantages for dominant group members
79
Microagressions
everyday verbal and nonverbal communications that are denigrating or dismissive
80
Cultural Appropriation
occurs when dominant group members adopt aspects of an oppressed group's culture without permission or gain
81
W.E.B. Du Bois
first black to receive a PhD from Harvard (1895)
-pioneer in empirical and critical sociology whose work was actively excluded from the the history of discipline
82
Double Consciousness and
racism shuts black person out from society; they are trapped behind the "veil"
- this provides them with a special viewpoint on society, one that sees privilege
- it also leads to double consciousness, the "self" viewed through the eyes of others
83
Prejudice (a thought process)
an idea about the characteristics of a group
| -"all asians are good at math"
84
Discrimination
an action, unequal treatment of individuals because of social group
-usually motivated by prejudice
85
Individual Discromination
discrimination carried out by one person against another
86
Institutional Discrimination
systematic discrimination carried out by social institutions (political, economic, educational, and others) that affects all members of a group who come into contact with it
87
Race vs. Ethnicity
- Race us a socially constructed category based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people
- Ethnicity is also socially constructed, based on common language, religion, nationality, history or another cultural factor
- the distinction between race and ethnicity is important because ethnicity can be displayed or hidden, depending on individual preferences whereas racial identities are always on display
- both not "neutral" categories, but deeply tied to inequalities in wealth, power, and other resources
88
Race vs. Ethnicity: Census Categories
the first census in 1790 listed three categories: free whites, all other free persons, and slaves
-white Mexicans classified as white until 1930 when nativists lobbied successfully for them to be classified separately in order to target them for discrimination
89
Race: A Modern Idea
deeply tied to Western colonialism and chattel slavery
-emerged in late 19th century and helped validate racial ideas and "prove" a natural hierarchy of groups
90
The Eugenics Movement
Popular intellectual and social movement, which sought to apply the principles of science and genetics to improve the human race
- popular in US during 20th century
- led to forced sterilization of more than 60,000 people, consisting of targeted minorities
-used in Nazi Germany
91
The Social Construction of Ethnicity
aspects of shared cultural heritage become important....
92
Minority Group
social group that is systematically denied access to power and resources that are available to the dominant groups of a society
-it is NOT necessarily fewer in number than the dominant group
93
Which theorist might explore racial inequality in terms of the creation of social cohesion within different social grousp?
Structural Functionalism
94
Structural Functionalism: Racism
Focuses on the ways in which race creates social ties and strengthens group bonds
-acknowledge such ties can lead to violence and social conflict between groups
95
Conflict: Racism
focuses on the struggle for power and control over scarce resources
96
Symbolic interactionism: Racism
Focuses on ways in which race, class, and gender intersect to produce an individual's identity
- sees race as an aspect of identity that is established through interaction
- ex. double consciousness
97
Growing Wealth Inequality
- median incomes of minorities fell relative to whites so less able to replenish savings
- financial assets recovered more quickly than home values, and whites more likely to own stocks
- decrease in homeownership since recession greater among minorities
98
Stigma
coined by Erving Goffman
-describes any physical or social attribute that devalues a person or group's identity, which may exclude people who are devalued from normal social interaction
99
Passing
attempts by stigmatized individuals to presenting themselves as a member of a group other than the stigmatized group to which they belong
-Jews hide identity to avoid death camp
100
"Dude, You're a Fag" Relating to Deviance
young boys just throw the word around
- scene in video: two adult men playing video games, go back and forth, joking has nothing to do with sexuality
- broader significance: through light hearted jokes, way to police masculinity and protect own status as a male
101
Deviance: Functionalism
Deviance serves as a function in our society
"how does deviance clarify norms and expectations?"
- Durkheim: if deviance exists, it serves as a positive social function by clarifying moral boundaries and promoting social cohesion
- affirm social values and norms, clarify moral boundaries, increase social bonds, encourage social change
- Drug abuse: we use social norms, laws to maintain social order. How we use laws to deter use of drugs. Provides example of what NOT to do, reaffirm sense of moral boundaries.
102
Deviance: Social Control Theory
theory developed by Travis Hirschi to explain crime (comes out of structural functionalism approach)
strong social bonds
- increase conformity
- decrease deviance
involved in mainstream activities (social attachments) and less likely to commit acts of deviance
103
Deviance: Structural Strain Theory
developed by Robert Merton
- there are goals in our society that people want to achieve but cannot always reach which creates stress (or strain)
- Typology of Deviance table
104
Deviance: Conflict Theory
Deviance is a result of social conflict
- in order for the powerful to maintain their power, they marginalize and criminalize the people who threaten it
- inequality is reproduced in a way which deviance is defined
"why are punishment distributed unequally?"
-easier to justify those who are poor: one who has position of authority may be concerned about property values and image of city (lets get rid of homeless so we have do not have to deal with them)
Drug abuse: uneven application of social control, certain groups are more likely to be criminalized than others. White people are more likely to abuse drugs, however, other groups are targeted more.
105
Deviance: Symbolic interactionism
interpersonal relationships and everyday interactions influence meanings and understandings of deviance
"how do certain actions/ behaviors become defined as deviant?"
106
Deviance: Symbolic interactionism
-Differential Association Theory
symbolic interactionist perspective developed by Edwin Sutherland
-states we learn deviance from interacting with deviant peers
107
Deviance: Symbolic interactionism
-Labeling Theory
developed by Howard Becker
states deviance is caused by external judgements (labels) that change a person's self-concept and the way in which others respond to that person
-according to Becker, labeling can lead to self-fulfilling prophecy: a prediction that causes itself to come true
108
Stereotype Threat
a self-fulfilling prophecy in which the fear of performing poorly and thereby confirming stereotypes about one's social group causes people to perform poorly
109
Deviance
no act or person is inherently deviant
- deviance is defined by social context
- a product of social processes
110
Merton: Innovator
Accepts cultural goal but uses alternative means to achieve it
-ex: getting rich but by selling drugs
111
Stereotype Promise
self-fulfilling prophecy in which positive stereotypes lead to positive performance outcomes
112
Victor Rios
Research shows black and latino boys lack cultural capital need to succeed in mainstream society
- their efforts to do well are misrecognized and often labeled as "trouble"
- often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy black and latino boys develop "resistance identities" and engage in "acts of resistance"
- the power of labels has a significant outcome on outcomes and are very influential
113
Crime
violation of a norm that has been codified into law
114
Demographics of Crime
Class: crime rates higher in poor urban areas than in wealthier suburbs
Age: the younger the population, more likely members are to commit crimes
Gender: males more likely to commit
115
Race and Crime
controversial
-african americans make up 13% of US population but account for 27% of all arrests and 33% of all prisoners
-sociologists argue institutional racism helps explain this
116
Institutional Racism
blacks are disproportionately targeted by police and receive differential treatment within criminal justice system
-blacks more likely yo live in lower-income areas with more police and fewer opportunities
117
Black Lives and Police Tactics Matter Study
dramatic inequalities in policing and police violence found
118
Justifications Provided for Punishment through Criminal Justice System
1. retribution- you do the crime, you do the time
2. rehabilitation
3. incapacitation- if removed from society, can't hurt anyone
119
Alternatives to Punishment
-safe spaces/ programs for drug abusers
120
Criminal Justice Systsem
a social institution organized to provide social control, primarily via negative sanctions (or punishment)
121
War on Drugs
Nelson proposes harsh penalties for drug use
policy quickly prioritized punishment over rehabilitation
drug criminalization led to mass incarceration
WE SHOULD look at drug abuse as a health problem than a crime- incarceration of so many people has led to disruption of family
122
War on Drugs: Conflict Theorist Perspective
some groups have more power and resources, and so white upper class people saw rehabilitation as a threat and there was a support for policies to get tough on crime and put people in jail
123
Sociological Perspective on Opioid Crisis
widespread accessibility of opioids and major institutions earning money from them
Advise physicians to be more conservative
124
Environmental Sociology
the study of the interaction between society and the natural environment, including the social causes and consequences of the environmental problems
125
How Sociologists Study the Environment
environmental issues as social problems that are shaped by social factors and culture
environmental issues as shaped by social inequality; questions of environmental justice
environmental issues as a focus of politics and social movements
126
The Logic of Growth Thesis
argues technological advancements will increase the environment's carrying capacity, allowing for continual growth in population and affluence
criticism:
127
GDP
gross domestic product- common measure
128
Limits to Growth Thesis
humanity must put in place policies to control the growth of population, production, and use of resources in order to avoid environmental collapse
criticism: limit to disadvantaged populations
129
Treadmill of Production
requires constant growth which provides goods and wealth to some, but also produces environmental deficits and social problems
130
Environmental Justice
equity in the distribution risks and the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws (regulations and policies)
-the environmental justice movement emerged during 1970s to address the unequal distribution of environmental risks among poor and BIPOC communities
131
The Individuals and the commons
Modern capitalist economies organize the production of good based on the principle of rational choice (we can weigh the costs and benefits of our choices, and our choices will add up to most efficient result).
But
132
Externalization of Costs
in you lived in a community, you would experience negative costs of hog farming
- has cost on human health, including ecosystem
- costs are externalized since they all add up
133
The Environmental Justice Movement
emphasizes that the "environment" id "where you work, sleep, breath, pray, and mingle"
