Soci 301-Lecture 1

Question 1

power

Answer 1

-the ability to achieve your desired despite the possible resistance

Question 2

What is the most basic form of power?

Answer 2

-coercion

Question 3

coercion

Answer 3

-using physical or psychological force that is not legitimate

Question 4

differential power

Answer 4

-the power a group has is determined by their ability to collect and manipulate power resources such as wealth and influence

Question 5

Do the lines of power shift in Canadian families?

Answer 5

-yes, the family goal all along has been to train and prepare the children for leaving home when they become young adults

Question 6

authority

Answer 6

-power people perceive as legitimate rather than coercive

Question 7

influence

Answer 7

-getting people to do what you want without having to use force

Question 8

charismatic authority

Answer 8

• power through extraordinary personal abilities
• power through a relationship
• strongest type of power but this power is not transferable; relationship must be in good standing for this to occur

Question 9

traditional authority

Answer 9

-the power is based on the conventions of past

Question 10

rational-legal authority

Answer 10

• power based on the right of leaders to exercise their legal power
• only a few societies have this; these societies must have law, justice, courts, policing.

Question 11

bureaucratic authority

Answer 11

• power legitimated by legally enacted rules and regulations

Question 12

stratification

Answer 12

-process arranged on a continuum

Question 13

social stratification

Answer 13

-process and/or the result of a process, where people become differentiated from one another

Question 14

When do social differences become social stratification?

Answer 14

-when people are ranked hierarchically

Question 15

What are some of the more important criteria used to distinguish the various forms or levels in the social stratification system? (list 2 of 4)

Answer 15

-family connections; wealth; occupation; education

Question 16

What are the two systems used to determine stratum membership?

Answer 16

-achievement; ascription

Question 17

achievement

Answer 17

-stratification is on an individual effort or accomplishment

Question 18

ascription

Answer 18

• position in the status hierarchy is inherited or assigned

- system changes your position (ie. age)

Question 19

intra- and inter-stratum membership

Answer 19

-members of the same strata tend to have similar life-chances, similar life-styles, and a sense of communal identity

Question 20

basic principle(s) of social stratification (4)

Answer 20

1) it is a characteristic of society and is not based on individual differences
2) it persists over generations
3) it is universal and variable
4) it involves beliefs

Question 21

dominant

Answer 21

-exercising influence or control

Question 22

dominant group

Answer 22

-the group that has the easiest access to the society’s rewards (ability to access to the good stuff)

Question 23

What factors tend to be the most significant or important dimensions of inequality?

Answer 23

-dominance can be exerted along any or all of several dimensions of inequality but political, economic and cultural tend to be most significant

Question 24

What does it mean to say there is a relativity element to dominant and minority status?

Answer 24

• whether a person is a member of the dominant or minority group is a function of the social setting operating at given time and place
• likely depends on context/importance of the situation”

Question 25

social stratification

Answer 25

- the process and/or the result of a process, where people in a given society become differentiated from one another in terms of power, prestige, and privilege

Question 26

Is Canada a stratified society?

Answer 26

-yes, the wealthy control most of the good stuff | money, enjoy better health, have access to better schooling, and consume a greater share of most goods and services

Question 27

What are three factors for why we do not easily notice the stratification and instead see homogeneity in Canadian society?

Answer 27

-primary groups (we spend time with people like us); social context; mass media

Question 28

What are the two key determinants of stratification in Canada?

Answer 28

-income; wealth

Question 29

wealth

Answer 29

- money/resources accumulated | - the total amount of money and valuable goods that a person or family controls

Question 30

When do social differences become social stratification?

Answer 30

-when people are ranked hierarchically

Question 31

What are some of the ways that the various forms or levels in the social stratification system are distinguished from one another? (list 2 of 4)

Answer 31

- family connections; wealth; occupation; education

Question 32

Are there consequences to the inequalities found in Canada?

Answer 32

-yes, they can be physical, mental, nutritional, etc.

Question 33

Who are the poor in Canada?

Answer 33

-any individual or family that spends more than 70% of its income on the necessities of life (food, clothing, shelter)

Question 34

Among what groups is poverty highly concentrated? (list 2 of 4)

Answer 34

-aboriginals, women, children, disabled, and recent immigrants

Question 35

poverty

Answer 35

- the state of being extremely poor; the state of being inferior in quality or insufficient in amount

Question 36

two types of poverty

Answer 36

-absolute and relative

Question 37

absolute poverty

Answer 37

-a deprivation of resources that is life-threatening

Question 38

relative poverty

Answer 38

-the deprivation of some people in relation to those who have more

Question 39

social definition of poverty

Answer 39

-lack of essential items – such as food, clothing, water, and shelter .

Question 40

What is the connection between wealth and income?

Answer 40

- wealth may generate income (e.g. investments) | - excess income becomes wealth

Question 41

Is there a great deal of income inequality in Canada?

Answer 41

-yes, there is great income inequality

Question 42

Is there a great deal of wealth inequality in Canada?

Answer 42

-yes, wealth is more unevenly distributed than income

Question 43

Is there an agreed upon measure for poverty in Canada?

Answer 43

-no, there is no official government measure of poverty in Canada

Question 44

low income cut-off measure

Answer 44

-50% of median income, adjusted for family size

Question 45

basic needs poverty measure

Answer 45

-insufficient income to afford those necessities of life which varies according to where you live

Question 46

Types of power

Answer 46

- charismatic - relational-legal - traditional - bureaucratic