social stratification Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is social stratification?
Describes the way society is structured into a hierarchy of unequal layers
Social inequality definition
Refers to the uneven distribution of resources (such as money or power) and opportunities related to education, employment and health.
What are the main forms of stratification in Britain today?
Social class, age, gender and ethnicity
What is ascribed status?
A person’ s social position was fixed at birth
What is achieved status?
A person’s social position was earned on the basis of merit
Open system definition
Social mobility is possible
Closed system definition
Social mobility is unlikely
Give two global examples of social stratification
Caste system (India) and Slavery ( 19th century Ancient Greece and Rome)
What do Davis and Moore argue about social stratification?
They argue that all societies need a way of placing individuals into different roles or social positions that must be filled
According to Davis and Moore, some roles are ____________ _____ ___________.
Functionally more important
What did Davis and Moore see functionally important jobs as?
They have to provide essential services and ensure society’s survival over time
According to Davis and Moore, most people lack the ________ or ____________ to fill the these functionally more important roles.
Talent and Motivation
According to Davis and Moore, to attract the most talented people, these roles must provide access to __________ __________ such as high pay or status.
Desirable rewards
According to Davis and Moore, stratification is _________ _________ ___ ________because it ensures that the most talented people train for and fill the ,most important jobs.
Functionally necessary for society
Davis and Moore believed all societies must have some degree of inequality built into them. This inequality is ___________ because people accept it as _____.
Functional, fair
Name 2 criticisms of Davis and Moore:
- Marxists and feminists see stratification as a system in which the bourgeoisie or men gain at the expense of others.
- Davis and Moore assume society is meritocratic, but critics disagree.
Who was Karl Marx?
The founder of Marxism
What were the two main social classes, Karl Marx identified in a capitalist society?
The bourgeoisie and the proletariat
The bourgeoisie ______ ________ and _________ the proletariat, leading to class struggle and conflict
Take advantage, exploit
What is class membership determined by? give an example
Economic factors such as the means of production
True or false? The more affluent people own their means of production
True
The less affluent people do not own their means of production and ____ _____ ______ to the bourgeoisie in order to survive
Sell their labour
