Sociology 1101 - Exam 2 Questions
and All Correct Answers.
social stratification - Answer concept involving the classification of people into groups based
on shared socio-economic conditions ... a relational set of inequalities with economic, social,
political and ideological dimensions.
theories of stratification - Answer 1. functionalist (Davis Moore)
2. conflict (Marx)
functionalist stratification theory - Answer social inequality holds that stratification exists
because it is beneficial for society. it leads to human motivation because the duties associated
with the various statuses are not all equally pleasant to the human organism, important to
social survival, and in need of the same abilities and talents
conflict stratification theory - Answer stratification exists because it benefits individuals and
groups who have the power to dominate and exploit others; class struggle
absolute poverty - Answer life threatening lack of resources; can't meet minimal requirements
to purchase food; uncommon in U.S.
relative poverty - Answer the deprivation of some people in relation to those who have more;
lacks decent standard of housing and healthy living conditions
Supplemental Poverty Measure - Answer includes government benefits such as food stamps as
well as household expenses like taxes, medical costs, housing, and regional differences in the
cost of living
Dependency Culture - Answer argument that providing welfare erodes people's desire to work
Poverty as Genetic - Answer poverty is caused by low-IQ; bell-curve thesis
Poverty as Culture - Answer in order to adapt and survive in difficult economic circumstances
and this help keep them in poverty
, Poverty as Situational - Answer poverty is widespread but temporary
Four Basic Principles of Social Stratification - Answer 1. rankings apply to social categories of
people who share a common characteristic (e.g., class, status, power, race, gender)
2. people's life experiences and opportunities depend heavily on how their social category is
ranked; stratification is universal but variable
3. a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences; cultural beliefs motivate the
rankings.
4. ranks of social categories change slowly over time.
3 Basic Stratification Systems - Answer Slavery
Caste Systems
Class Systems
class system - Answer based on both ascribed (birth) and achieved statuses (social mobility);
economically based; large scale and impersonal
income - Answer earnings from work or investments (wages, salaries, and investment money)
wealth - Answer total value of money and assets, minus debt (cash, savings, investments,
property)
educational attainment - Answer highest level of education
occupation - Answer prestige
Socioeconomic Status (SES) - Answer basic metric of stratification in modern U.S. (income,
wealth, education, occupation)
upper-class - Answer wealthiest 5%; approx. $300,000 or more in income per year; most not
super rich
middle-class - Answer 40-45%; white collar non-manual jobs that pay significantly above
poverty line
and All Correct Answers.
social stratification - Answer concept involving the classification of people into groups based
on shared socio-economic conditions ... a relational set of inequalities with economic, social,
political and ideological dimensions.
theories of stratification - Answer 1. functionalist (Davis Moore)
2. conflict (Marx)
functionalist stratification theory - Answer social inequality holds that stratification exists
because it is beneficial for society. it leads to human motivation because the duties associated
with the various statuses are not all equally pleasant to the human organism, important to
social survival, and in need of the same abilities and talents
conflict stratification theory - Answer stratification exists because it benefits individuals and
groups who have the power to dominate and exploit others; class struggle
absolute poverty - Answer life threatening lack of resources; can't meet minimal requirements
to purchase food; uncommon in U.S.
relative poverty - Answer the deprivation of some people in relation to those who have more;
lacks decent standard of housing and healthy living conditions
Supplemental Poverty Measure - Answer includes government benefits such as food stamps as
well as household expenses like taxes, medical costs, housing, and regional differences in the
cost of living
Dependency Culture - Answer argument that providing welfare erodes people's desire to work
Poverty as Genetic - Answer poverty is caused by low-IQ; bell-curve thesis
Poverty as Culture - Answer in order to adapt and survive in difficult economic circumstances
and this help keep them in poverty
, Poverty as Situational - Answer poverty is widespread but temporary
Four Basic Principles of Social Stratification - Answer 1. rankings apply to social categories of
people who share a common characteristic (e.g., class, status, power, race, gender)
2. people's life experiences and opportunities depend heavily on how their social category is
ranked; stratification is universal but variable
3. a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences; cultural beliefs motivate the
rankings.
4. ranks of social categories change slowly over time.
3 Basic Stratification Systems - Answer Slavery
Caste Systems
Class Systems
class system - Answer based on both ascribed (birth) and achieved statuses (social mobility);
economically based; large scale and impersonal
income - Answer earnings from work or investments (wages, salaries, and investment money)
wealth - Answer total value of money and assets, minus debt (cash, savings, investments,
property)
educational attainment - Answer highest level of education
occupation - Answer prestige
Socioeconomic Status (SES) - Answer basic metric of stratification in modern U.S. (income,
wealth, education, occupation)
upper-class - Answer wealthiest 5%; approx. $300,000 or more in income per year; most not
super rich
middle-class - Answer 40-45%; white collar non-manual jobs that pay significantly above
poverty line
