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Sociology 1301 exam 3 Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
Social Class
Ans: Based on property, power, prestige
Fundamental orientation to life
Responsible for different chances and opportunities in life.
ex. people like us
Property
Ans: Anything you own; actual items/monetary gains
Wealth = property value - debt
Highly concentrated
Upper class/Super class
Income—flow of money
Highly concentrated
Avg. per capita income = $42,000
(avg. per person for every person 15yrs and older in U.S.)
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Power
Ans: I have no power vs. I participate in decisions through
voting (democratic facade) .
C.W. Mills—Power Elite (military, business, politics)
Most U.S. Presidents came/come from this group.
William Domhoff (2006/2010) analysis of this groups working
behind the scenes (Think Super PAC)
"No major decision is made in U.S. government wi thout their
approval."
prestige
Ans: Respect or Regard
Job/Occupation is most common source.
Pg. 227 tbl 8.2 Jobs at top share 4 features:
1. Pay=high
2. Education=need more
3. Involve more abstract thought
4. Offer greater autonomy
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Rankings are consistent across the country and over time.
For Prestige to become valuable, people must acknowledge it.
Sociological Models of Social Class
Ans: 1. Capitalist—owners/employ many
2.Petty Bourgeoisie—small business owners
3. Managers—sell labor & exercise power
4. Workers—sell labor
Can be a member of more than one class at same time
*Can lead to contradictory class location
Capitalist Class (1%)
Ans: Old Money—bluebloods; longer wealth=more prestige
New Money—"Nouveau Riche"; outsiders
Children of nouveau riche can become blueblood if....
Upper Middle (15%) *Most shaped by education
Ans: Almost all have B.A./B.S.; most have graduate degree
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Manage corps, own business, professional career.
Lower Middle (34%)
Ans: Have at least HS diploma; most have B.A./B.S.
Can afford lifestyle, but struggle to maintain
Technical & lower level management
Working Class (30%)
Ans: Only have a high school diploma
Concentrate on gaining seniority
Working Poor (15%)
Ans: Most are high school dropouts (or did poorly)
Unskilled, low paying jobs (temp/seasonal jobs)
Underclass (4%)
Ans: Concentrated in inner cities
Little connection to job market
Includes homeless population
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
Sociology 1301 exam 3 Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
Social Class
Ans: Based on property, power, prestige
Fundamental orientation to life
Responsible for different chances and opportunities in life.
ex. people like us
Property
Ans: Anything you own; actual items/monetary gains
Wealth = property value - debt
Highly concentrated
Upper class/Super class
Income—flow of money
Highly concentrated
Avg. per capita income = $42,000
(avg. per person for every person 15yrs and older in U.S.)
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
Power
Ans: I have no power vs. I participate in decisions through
voting (democratic facade) .
C.W. Mills—Power Elite (military, business, politics)
Most U.S. Presidents came/come from this group.
William Domhoff (2006/2010) analysis of this groups working
behind the scenes (Think Super PAC)
"No major decision is made in U.S. government wi thout their
approval."
prestige
Ans: Respect or Regard
Job/Occupation is most common source.
Pg. 227 tbl 8.2 Jobs at top share 4 features:
1. Pay=high
2. Education=need more
3. Involve more abstract thought
4. Offer greater autonomy
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
Rankings are consistent across the country and over time.
For Prestige to become valuable, people must acknowledge it.
Sociological Models of Social Class
Ans: 1. Capitalist—owners/employ many
2.Petty Bourgeoisie—small business owners
3. Managers—sell labor & exercise power
4. Workers—sell labor
Can be a member of more than one class at same time
*Can lead to contradictory class location
Capitalist Class (1%)
Ans: Old Money—bluebloods; longer wealth=more prestige
New Money—"Nouveau Riche"; outsiders
Children of nouveau riche can become blueblood if....
Upper Middle (15%) *Most shaped by education
Ans: Almost all have B.A./B.S.; most have graduate degree
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
Manage corps, own business, professional career.
Lower Middle (34%)
Ans: Have at least HS diploma; most have B.A./B.S.
Can afford lifestyle, but struggle to maintain
Technical & lower level management
Working Class (30%)
Ans: Only have a high school diploma
Concentrate on gaining seniority
Working Poor (15%)
Ans: Most are high school dropouts (or did poorly)
Unskilled, low paying jobs (temp/seasonal jobs)
Underclass (4%)
Ans: Concentrated in inner cities
Little connection to job market
Includes homeless population
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
