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2. Section 1: Dimensions of Stratification
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Section 1: Dimensions of Stratification
Section 2: Explanations of Stratification
Section 3: Social Classes in America
Section 4: Poverty in America
Section 5: Social Mobility
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3. Chapter Preview · Section 1
Dimensions of Stratification (pages 242–249)
Stratification is the division of society into classes that have unequal amounts of wealth, power, and prestige. Karl Marx and Max Weber studied these dimensions of stratification in great detail.
Chapter Preview 1

4. Chapter Preview · Section 2
Explanations of Stratification (pages 250–253)
Each of the three perspectives—functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism—explains stratification in society in a different way.
Chapter Preview 2

5. Chapter Preview · Section 3
Social classes in America (pages 254–258)
Sociologists have identified several social classes in the United States. They include the upper, middle, working, and lower classes.
Chapter Preview 3

6. Chapter Preview · Section 4
Poverty in America (pages 259–264)
Poverty can be measured in absolute or relative terms. The poor in the U.S. are disproportionately represented by African Americans, Latinos, women, and children.
Chapter Preview 4

7. Chapter Preview · Section 5
Social Mobility (pages 265–268)
Social mobility, the movement of individuals or groups within the stratification structure, is usually measured by changes in occupational status. Sociologists are most interested in upward or downward (vertical) mobility. Closed-class systems permit little vertical mobility; open class systems, such as those in industrialized countries, allow considerable vertical mobility.
Chapter Preview 5

8. Chapter Preview-End

9. Stratification is the division of society into classes that have unequal amounts of wealth, power, and prestige. Karl Marx and Max Weber studies these dimensions of stratification in great detail.
Section 1-Preview

10. social stratification social class bourgeoisie proletariat income
wealth
power
prestige
Section 1-Key Terms

11. Section 1-Polling Question
Which characteristic do you think determines a person’s social class?
A. Wealth
B. Power
C. Fame A B C
Section 1-Polling Question

12. Dimension of Stratification
Social stratification is the creation of layers of people who possess unequal shares of scarce resources.
Income, wealth, power, and prestige are the most important resources.
Section 1

13. Dimension of Stratification (cont.)
Each layer is considered a social class, or a segment of a population whose members hold similar amounts of scarce resources and share values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle.
Poverty and Death
Section 1

14. How many social classes do you think exist in the U.S. today? A. 0–1
B. 2–3
C. 4–5
D. More than 5 A B C D
Section 1

15. The Economic Dimension
Karl Marx believed that the economy determined the nature of society and predicted that capitalist societies would be reduced to two social classes:
Section 1

16. The Economic Dimension (cont.)
The bourgeoisie is the class that owns the means of production.
The proletariat is the class that labors without owning the means of production.
Section 1

17. The Economic Dimension (cont.)
Marx also noted the unequal distribution of economic resources.
Income inequality exists and is growing within the United States.
Section 1

18. The Economic Dimension (cont.)
These definitions must be considered when discussing this gap:
Income is the amount of money received within a given time period by an individual or group.
Wealth refers to all the economic resources possessed by an individual or group.
Percentage Change in After-Tax Income, 1977 to 2002
Shares of Wealth
Section 1

19. According to Marx, a construction worker would be considered part of which class?
A. Proletariat
B. Bourgeoisie
C. Neither A B C
Section 1

20. The Power Dimension
Power is the ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will.
Marx believed that those who own and control capital have the power in a society.
Weber argued that while having money helps, economic success and power are not the same.
Section 1

21. The Power Dimension (cont.)
The following can also increase power:
Expert knowledge
Social positions
A large group of supporters or skill at organizing resources
Section 1

22. Do you think if a person is wealthy, they are also powerful? A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure A B C
Section 1

23. The Prestige Dimension
Prestige is recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions.
It is defined by your culture and society.
It is voluntarily given.
Section 1

24. The Prestige Dimension (cont.)
People with similar levels of prestige share similar lifestyles.
An occupation usually dictates a level of prestige.
Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the United States
Section 1

25. In your opinion, which position is more prestigious A. Doctor
B. Lawyer
C. Professional athlete
D. Politician A B C D
Section 1

26. Section 1-End

27. Each of the three perspectives—functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism—explains stratification in society in a different way.
Section 2-Preview

28. false consciousness
Section 2-Key Terms

29. Section-Polling Question
Do you think education is a determining factor in determining one’s social class?
A. Definitely agree
B. Somewhat agree
C. Somewhat disagree
D. Definitely disagree A B C D
Section-Polling Question

30. Functionalist Theory of Stratification
According to the functionalists, stratification assures that:
the most qualified people fill the most important positions
these qualified people perform their tasks competently
they are rewarded for their efforts
Section 2

31. Which profession do you think has the highest level of skill?
A. Doctor
B. Rocket scientist
C. Car mechanic
D. Writer A B C D
Section 2

32. Conflict Theory of Stratification
According to the conflict theory, inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others.
This is based on Marx’s ideas regarding class conflict—the people with the power are able to control everyone else because they can easily spread their ideas.
Section 2

33. Conflict Theory of Stratification (cont.)
Marx used the term false consciousness to refer to the working-class acceptance of capitalist ideas and values.
Section 2

34. According to the conflict theory of stratification, what would a foreman at a construction worksite be considered?
A. An exploiter
B. The exploited
C. Both
D. Neither A B C D
Section 2

35. Symbolic Interaction and Stratification
According to this perspective, American children are taught that a person’s social class is the result of talent and effort.
Therefore, people’s self-concepts help preserve the status quo.
Social Stratification
Section 2

36. According to the symbolic interactionism perspective, could a child born into poverty become a doctor?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure A B C
Section 2

37. Section 2-End

38. Sociologists have identified several social classes in the United States. They include the upper class, the middle class, the working class, the working poor, and the underclass.
Section 3-Preview

39. class consciousness
working poor
underclass
Section 3-Key Terms

40. Section 3-Polling Question
Which social class would do you think Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, is considered to be part of?
A. Upper class
B. Middle class
C. Work class A B C
Section 3-Polling Question

41. Class Consciousness
Class consciousness is a sense of identification with the goals and interests of the members of a particular social class.
The American public has shown little interest in class differences.
American Class Structure
Social Classes in World Perspective
Section 3

42. What is the typical income of a person in the working poor class?
B. 35,000
C. 55,000 A B C
Section 3

43. The Upper Class
Only 1% of the population is upper class. There are different levels within the upper class:
Upper-upper class
Lower-upper class
Section 3

44. What percentage of the population is in the upper class? A. 1 B. 2
D. 4 A B C D
Section 3

45. The Middle Classes About 40%–50% of Americans are middle class.
Section 3

46. The Middle Classes (cont.)
The upper-middle class (about 14%) is composed of those who have been successful in:
business
the professions
politics
the military
Section 3

47. The Middle Classes (cont.)
The middle-middle class (about 30%) is made of people such as:
owners of small businesses and farms
independent professionals
other professionals, such as nurses and police officers
lower-level managers
some sales and clerical workers
Section 3

48. What percentage of the population is in the middle-middle class? A. 20
B. 30
C. 40
D. 50 A B C D
Section 3

49. The Working Class
About one-third of the population is working class and is made of people such as:
roofers
delivery truck drivers
machine operators
salespeople
clerical workers
Section 3

50. What is a major concern of the working class? A. Steady employment
B. Health insurance
C. Retirement benefits
D. All of the above A B C D
Section 3

51. The Working Poor
The working poor comprise about 13% of the population.
These people are employed in low-skill jobs with the lowest pay:
lowest-level clerical workers
laborers
fast-food servers
Section 3

52. Which is a typical type of job for the working poor?
A. Fast-food servers
B. Low-level managers
C. Salespeople
D. All of the above A B C D
Section 3

53. The Underclass The underclass comprise about 12% of the population.
Section 3

54. The Underclass (cont.) Characteristics of the underclass include:
May hold part-time menial jobs or are on public assistance
Might have physical or mental disabilities
Many single mothers
Lack skills to obtain jobs
Entered underclass through means such as birth, drug addiction or old age
Section 3

55. A. Physical or mental disabilities B. Drug addiction C. Old age
What do you consider to be the main reason for being in the underclass?
A. Physical or mental disabilities
B. Drug addiction
C. Old age
D. Lack of skills A B C D
Section 3

56. Section 3-End

57. Poverty can be measured in absolute or relative terms
Poverty can be measured in absolute or relative terms. The poor in the U.S. are disproportionately represented by African Americans, Latinos, women, and children.
Section 4-Preview

58. feminization of poverty
absolute poverty
relative poverty
feminization of poverty
Section 4-Key Terms

59. Section 4-Polling Question
Do you think poverty in America is different than poverty in other countries?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure A B C
Section 4-Polling Question

60. Measuring Poverty
Absolute poverty is the absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities—enough food and a safe place to live.
Relative poverty is determined by comparing the economic condition of those at the bottom of a society with other members of that society.
Section 4

61. Measuring Poverty (cont.)
The poor comprise 12.7% of the American population (which means they have an income below $19,484 for a family of four).
Number of Poor and Poverty Rate: 1960–2004
Section 4

62. A B C Where do you think poverty is the worst? A. United States
B. Africa
C. India A B C
Section 4

63. Identifying the Poor The poor are comprised of:
Minorities, especially Latinos and African Americans
People who live in female-headed households. (feminization of poverty)
The Distribution of Poverty in the U.S.
Section 4

64. Identifying the Poor (cont.)
Children under 18
Elderly people
People with disabilities
Percentage of Population in Poverty
Section 4

65. A B C D For every dollar earned by men, women earn A. $.50 B. $.80
Section 4

66. Responses to the Problem of Poverty
In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson began the War on Poverty; he wanted to help poor people help themselves.
The program was not as successful as Johnson had hoped.
Section 4

67. Do you think the government is doing a good job combating poverty?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure A B C
Section 4

68. Welfare Reform
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program limits the amount of time those people who are able to work may receive welfare payments.
Section 4

69. Welfare Reform (cont.) Three major elements of the TANF bill:
It reduces welfare spending.
It increases state and local power to oversee welfare rules.
It adds new restrictions on welfare eligibility.
Section 4

70. Welfare Reform (cont.)
Positive and negative changes have occurred because of the bill.
The Federal Government Dollar—Where It Goes
Section 4

71. A B C D What percentage of the Federal Dollar is spent on Medicaid?
Section 4

72. Section 4-End

73. Social mobility, the movement of individuals or groups within the stratification structure, is usually measured by changes in occupational status. Sociologists are most interested in upward or downward (vertical) mobility. Closed-class systems permit little vertical mobility; open-class systems, such as those in industrialized countries, allow considerable vertical mobility.
Section 5-Preview

74. intergenerational mobility caste (closed-class systems)
social mobility
horizontal mobility
vertical mobility
intergenerational mobility
caste (closed-class systems)
open-class systems
Section 5-Key Terms

75. Section 5-Polling Question
Social mobility refers to
A. Horizontal mobility
B. Vertical mobility
C. All of the above A B C
Section 5-Polling Question

76. Types of Social Mobility
Social mobility is the movement of people between social classes.
Horizontal mobility involves changing from one occupation to another at the same social class level.
Section 5

77. Types of Social Mobility (cont.)
Vertical mobility involves a person’s occupational status or social class moving upward or downward.
When the change takes place over a generation, it is called intergenerational mobility.
Section 5

78. If a doctor’s son becomes a social worker, what is this considered to be?
A. Horizontal mobility
B. Vertical mobility
C. Intergenerational mobility A B C
Section 5

79. Caste and Open-Class Systems
In a caste system, there is no social mobility because social status is inherited and cannot be changed.
Apartheid was a caste system in Africa based on race.
Section 5

80. Caste and Open-Class Systems (cont.)
The Indian caste system is still in effect in some areas and is based on occupation and Hindu religion:
The Brahmin—priests and scholars
Kshatriyas—professional, governing, and military jobs
Vaisyas—merchants and businessmen
Section 5

81. Caste and Open-Class Systems (cont.)
Sudra—farmers, menial workers, craftsmen
“Untouchables”—dirty, degrading tasks
Section 5

82. Caste and Open-Class Systems (cont.)
An open-class system, like in the U.S., allows an individual to determine his or her class based on merit and individual effort.
However, some groups or individuals are denied movement.
Section 5

83. A B C D The following are characteristics of a caste system EXCEPT
A. Marriage possible only within the same caste
B. Different castes may not eat together
C. Status is assigned at birth
D. Untouchables serve all food A B C D
Section 5

84. Upward and Downward Mobility
Great leaps in social-class level are actually rare.
The trend today is towards downward mobility due to the outsourcing of jobs to lower-paid foreign workers.
Katherine Newman writes about the consequences of this trend in Falling from Grace.
Section 5

85. A B C D Downwardly mobile people experience which of the following?
A. Lower self-esteem
B. Despair
C. Depression
D. All of the above A B C D
Section 5

86. Section 5-End

87. Percentage Change in After-Tax Income, 1977 to 2002
Source: Washington, DC: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2005.
Figure 8.1

88. Shares of Wealth Figure 8.2
Source: Edward N. Wolff, “Changes in Household Wealth in the 1980s and 1990s in the U.S.” (Working Paper No. 407). The Levy Economics Institute, May 2004.
Figure 8.2

89. Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the United States
Figure 8.3

90. Figure 8.4

91. American Class Structure
Source: Adapted from Dennis Gilbert, The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (6th ed.), 2003.
Figure 8.5

92. Number of Poor and Poverty Rate: 1960–2004
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2004, 2005.
Figure 8.6

93. The Distribution of Poverty in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2005.
Figure 8.7

94. The Federal Government Dollar—Where It Goes
Source: “A Citizen’s Guide to the Federal Budget,” Washington, D.C., 2002.
Figure 8.8

95. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2005.
Snapshot

96. Poverty and Death World View 1
Source: World Health Organization, World Health Statistics 2005.
World View 1

97. Social Classes in World Perspective
Source: World Bank, 2005.
World View 2

98. Sociology Chapter Transparencies
Concentration of Wealth
Income Distribution
Portrait of a Typical Millionaire
Unemployment Rate as of September 2005
Transparency Menu

99. Transparency 1

100. Transparency 2

101. Transparency 3

102. Transparency 4

103. social stratification
ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources
Vocab 1

104. social class
segment of society whose members hold similar amounts of resources and share values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle
Vocab 2

105. bourgeoisie
class that owns the means of production
Vocab 3

106. proletariat class that labors without owning the means of production
Vocab 4

107. income
amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period
Vocab 5

108. wealth
total economic resources held by a person or group
Vocab 6

109. power
the ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will
Vocab 7

110. prestige
recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions
Vocab 8

111. false consciousness
adoption of the ideas of the dominant class by the less powerful class
Vocab 9

112. class consciousness
identification with the goals and interests of a social class
Vocab 10

113. working poor
people employed in low-skill jobs with the lowest pay who do not earn enough to rise out of poverty
Vocab 11

114. underclass
people typically unemployed who came from families that have been poor for generations
Vocab 12

115. absolute poverty
the absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities
Vocab 13

116. relative poverty
a measure of poverty based on the economic disparity between those at the bottom of a society and the rest of the society
Vocab 14

117. feminization of poverty
a trend in U.S. society in which women and children make up an increasing proportion of the poor
Vocab 15

118. social mobility
the movement of individuals or groups between social classes
Vocab 16

119. horizontal mobility
a change in occupation within the same social class
Vocab 17

120. vertical mobility
a change upward or down-ward in occupational status or social class
Vocab 18

121. intergenerational mobility
a change in status or class from one generation to the next
Vocab 19

122. caste system (closed-class system)
a stratification structure that does not allow for social mobility
Vocab 20

123. open-class system
a system in which social class is based on merit and individual effort; movement is allowed between classes
Vocab 21

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