Deck 8: Class and Stratification in the United States

Question 1

For functionalists,the class structure is the result of production process.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Sociologists Dennis Gilbert developed a widely used model of social classes based on three elements: religion,occupation of family head,and family income.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Slavery began in the United States in the 1600s as a form of cheap labor.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

An estimated 30 percent of the U.S.population is in the working class.The core of this class is made up of semiskilled machine operators who work in factories and elsewhere.

Question 5

Weber believed that the workers would eventually overthrow the capitalist economic system.

Question 6

Slavery in the United States has ended.

Question 7

Conflict theorists stress that schools are agencies for reproducing the capitalist class system and perpetuating inequality in society.Great disparities exist in the distribution of educational resources because funding for education primarily comes from local property taxes.

Question 8

Lack of affordable housing is one central problem brought about by economic inequality.Another concern is substandard housing,which refers to facilities that have inadequate heating,air conditioning,plumbing,electricity,or structural durability.

Question 9

For some members of the lower-upper class,the American Dream has become a reality.Others still desire the respect of members of the upper-upper class.

Question 10

Sociologist Karl Marx stated that capitalistic societies consist of two classes-the proletariat class that consists of those who own the means of production and the bourgeoisie class that consists of those who must sell their labor to the owners in order to earn enough money to survive.

Question 11

A few studies provide insight into the social interactions between people from vastly divergent class locations.Sociologist Judith Rollins's (1985)study of the relationship between household workers and their employers is one example.Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation,Rollins examined rituals of deference that were often demanded by elite white women of their domestic workers,who were frequently women of color.

Question 12

People who are wealthy and well educated and who have high-paying jobs are much more likely to be healthy than are poor people.

Question 13

Educational opportunities and life chances are directly linked.Symbolic interactionists view education as the "elevator" to social mobility.Improvements in the educational achievement levels of the poor,people of color,and white women have been cited as evidence that students' abilities are now more important than their class,race,or gender.

Question 14

In discussing wealth,sociologist Max Weber identified entrepreneurs as a class of wealthy individuals who live off their investments and do not have to work.

Question 15

According to sociologist Karl Marx,the capitalist class maintains its position at the top of the class structure by control of the society's superstructure,which is composed of the government,schools,churches,and other social institutions that produce and disseminate ideas perpetuating the existing system of exploitation.

Question 16

When sociologists define poverty,they define absolute poverty as a state that exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living.

Question 17

Intergenerational mobility is the social movement experienced by family members from one generation to the next.Intergenerational mobility may be downward as well as upward.

Question 18

Sociologists often use the term socioeconomic status (SES)to refer to a combined measure that attempts to classify individuals,families,or households in terms of factors such as income,occupation,and education to determine class location.

Question 19

The working poor account for about 20 percent of the U.S.population.

Question 20

The term "underclass" is another word for the upper­middle class because it refers to those people
found just below the wealthiest Americans.

Question 21

______________ is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on the control over basic resources.

A)Social distinction
B)Individual distinctiveness
C)Social stratification
D)Social layering

Question 22

______________ are anything valued in a society,ranging from money and property to medical care and education.They are considered to be scarce because of unequal distribution among social categories.

A)Assets
B)Resources
C)Prospects
D)Opportunities

Question 23

______________ is the movement of individuals or groups from one level in a stratification system to another.This movement can be either upward or downward.

A)Social movement
B)Unilateral generational mobility
C)Open system movement
D)Social mobility

Question 24

Why is inequality growing in the United States? According to symbolic interactionists,the answer lies in the concept of competition-differing rewards provide motivation for some people to work harder and achieve more.

Question 25

According to functionalist sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore,all societies have important tasks that must be accomplished and certain positions that must be filled.In addition,some positions are more important for the survival of society than others and the most important positions must be filled by the most qualified people.

Question 26

The______________system is an extreme form of stratification in which some people are owned by others.It is a closed system in which people are treated as property and have little or no control over their lives.

A)union
B)slavery
C)class
D)caste

Question 27

Native Americans are among the most severely disadvantaged persons in the United States.Some analysts estimate Native American poverty rates to be as high as 25 percent.

Question 28

Social movement experienced by family members from one generation to the next is:

A)structural mobility
B)intergenerational mobility
C)intragenerational mobility
D)exchange mobility

Question 29

About two-thirds of all adults living in poverty are women.Sociologist Diana Pearce coined the term "feminization of poverty" which refers to the trend in which women are disproportionately represented among individuals living in poverty.

Question 30

As practiced in the United States,which of the following was NOT a characteristic of slavery?

A)It was for life and was inherited.
B)Slaves were considered to be human beings as well as property.
C)Slaves were denied rights.
D)Coercion was used to keep slaves "in their place."

Question 31

According to the text,India's caste system is based in part on______________,while the caste system of South Africa was based on______________.

A)racial classification;occupation
B)religious affiliation;economic classification
C)occupation;racial classification
D)wealth;racial classification

Question 32

Sociologists believe that inequality is harmful for society.

Question 33

A______________is a system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parent's ascribed status.It is a closed system of stratification.

A)class system
B)slavery system
C)profile system
D)caste system

Question 34

Systems of stratification are characterized by different hierarchical structures and varying degrees of mobility.All of the following are systems of stratification EXCEPT:

A)slavery
B)caste
C)class
D)profile

Question 35

The social movement of individuals within their own lifetime is called:

A)intergenerational mobility
B)structural mobility
C)exchange mobility
D)intragenerational mobility

Question 36

Sarah's father is a carpenter who makes good wages in good economic times,but is unemployed when the construction industry slows to a standstill.Sarah becomes a neurologist,earning
$345,000 a year,and moves from the working class to the upper-middle class.Between her
Father's generation and her own,Sarah has experienced______________social mobility.

A)downward
B)horizontal
C)upward
D)progressive

Question 37

One of the most important characteristics of systems of stratification is their degree of flexibility.In a closed system of stratification:

A)people's positions are set by achieved statuses
B)there is little or no social mobility
C)the boundaries between levels in the hierarchies of social stratification are relatively fluid
D)many opportunities exist for people who are willing to work hard

Question 38

RaShandra began her career as a high-tech factory worker.Through increased experience and by taking specialized courses in her field,she became an entrepreneur and started her own highly successful "dot­com" business.RaShandra's advancement is an example of______________mobility.

A)exchange
B)intergenerational
C)structural
D)intragenerational

Question 39

Sociologist Max Weber's term,______________,addresses how much access individuals have to important societal resources such as food,clothing,shelter,education,and health care.

A)life chances
B)cultural opportunity
C)social opportunity
D)social prospects

Question 40

One of the most important characteristics of systems of stratification is their degree of flexibility.In an open system of stratification:

A)there is no social mobility
B)people's positions are influenced by achieved statuses
C)the boundaries between levels in the hierarchies of social stratification are rigid
D)people's positions are determined by ascribed statuses alone

Question 41

The value of all of a person's or family's economic assets,including income,personal property, and income-producing property is referred to as:

A)power
B)prestige
C)income
D)wealth

Question 42

According to sociologist Karl Marx,the______________(working class)consists of those who must sell their labor to the owners in order to earn enough money to survive.

A)proletariat
B)rentiers
C)bourgeoisie
D)entrepreneurs

Question 43

According to sociologist Karl Marx,when the workers realized that capitalists were the source of their oppression,they would overthrow the capitalists and their agents of social control,leading to the end of capitalism.The workers would then take over the government and create a(n) society.

A)class
B)caste
C)egalitarian
D)stratified

Question 44

When people experience a gain or loss in position and/or income that does not produce a change in their place in the class structure,this is referred to as:

A)horizontal mobility
B)situational mobility
C)vertical mobility
D)structural mobility

Question 45

______________ argued that class position and the extent of our income and wealth are determined by our work situation,or our relationship to the means of production.

A)Georg Simmel
B)Max Weber
C)Emile Durkheim
D)Karl Marx

Question 46

The______________system is a type of stratification based on the ownership and control of resources and on the type of work people do.

A)caste
B)slavery
C)profile
D)class

Question 47

According to Max Weber,the______________consists of white-collar workers,public officials,managers,and professionals.

A)divisional class
B)working class
C)tertiary class
D)middle class

Question 48

______________ is the respect or regard with which a person or status position is regarded by others: it includes fame,respect,honor,and esteem.

A)Wealth
B)Power
C)Status
D)Prestige

Question 49

A university professor is promoted from the rank of assistant to associate professor.This results in her being granted tenure and she receives a significant increase in salary.This person has experienced______________mobility.

A)situational
B)vertical
C)horizontal
D)structural

Question 50

Sociologist Max Weber placed categories of people who have a similar level of wealth and income in the same class.He identified a class of______________-wealthy individuals who live off their investments and do not have to work.

A)entrepreneurs
B)rentiers
C)independents
D)consumers

Question 51

______________ occurs when people experience movement either up or down the class structure.

A)Structural mobility
B)Vertical mobility
C)Situational mobility
D)Horizontal mobility

Question 52

Sociologist Max Weber divided those who work for wages into two classes.The____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________class consists of skilled,semiskilled,and unskilled workers.

A)working
B)middle
C)divisional
D)tertiary

Question 53

According to sociologist Karl Marx,the______________(capitalist class)consists of those who own the means of production-the land and capital necessary for factories and mines.

A)entrepreneurs
B)proletariat
C)rentiers
D)bourgeoisie

Question 54

Both social scientists Karl Marx and Max Weber identified______________as an important determinant of social inequality and social change.

A)religion
B)class
C)gender
D)race

Question 55

Sociologist Max Weber placed categories of people who have a similar level of wealth and income in the same class.He identified a privileged commercial class of______________-wealthy bankers,ship owners,professionals,and merchants who possess similar financial resources.

A)entrepreneurs
B)rentiers
C)independents
D)consumers

Question 56

Sociologist Karl Marx acknowledged that classes may have:

A)many important overlapping socioeconomic interests
B)primarily similar economic interests
C)opposing (rather than complementary)interests
D)complementary (rather than opposing)interests

Question 57

In a______________,marriage is endogamous,meaning that people are allowed to marry only within their own group.

A)stratified system
B)profile system
C)caste system
D)class system

Question 58

The separation of the races refers to:

A)apartheid
B)closed racial system
C)emancipation
D)horizontal declassification

Question 59

According to sociologist Karl Marx,the capitalist class maintains its position at the top of the class structure by control of the society's______________,which is composed of the government,schools,churches,and other social institutions.

A)substructure
B)superstructure
C)ecostructure
D)basic structure

Question 60

According to Karl Marx,continual exploitation results in workers'______________-a feeling of powerlessness and estrangement from other people and from oneself.It develops as workers manufacture goods that embody their creative talents,but the goods do not belong to them.

A)class conflict
B)meritocracy
C)classism
D)alienation

Question 61

All of the following are elements in the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert EXCEPT:

A)education
B)occupation of family head
C)the family's reputation in the community
D)family income

Question 62

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,members of the class come from prominent families who possess great wealth that they have held for several generations.Family names such as Rockefeller and Kennedy are well known and often held in high esteem.

A)lower-upper
B)middle-upper
C)upper-upper
D)upper middle

Question 63

______________ is the ability of people or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others.

A)Wealth
B)Power
C)Status
D)Prestige

Question 64

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,the____________________________________________________________________________________ members (about one percent of the U.S.population)own substantial income-producing assets and operate on both the national and international levels.People in this class have an influence on the economy and society far beyond their numbers.

A)upper-middle class
B)upper class
C)middle-middle class
D)middle class

Question 65

Sociologists often use the term______________to refer to a combined measure that attempts to classify individuals,families,or households in terms of factors such as income,occupation,and education to determine class location.

A)power status
B)socioeconomic status
C)prestige status
D)wealth status

Question 66

Which social theorist thought that capitalist structures would eventually be overthrown?

A)Marx
B)Weber
C)Gilbert
D)Durkheim

Question 67

According to your text,all of the following are factors that have eroded the American Dream for the middle class EXCEPT:

A)escalating housing prices
B)blocked mobility on the job
C)the cost-of-living squeeze
D)negative media exposure

Question 68

Most people like to think of themselves as______________class.

A)lower
B)middle
C)upper
D)elite

Question 69

Most Americans view themselves as______________class.

A)working
B)middle
C)upper-middle
D)upper

Question 70

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,members of the have earned most of their money in their own lifetime as entrepreneurs,presidents of major corporations,sports or entertainment celebrities,or top-level professionals.

A)middle-upper class
B)upper-upper class
C)upper-middle class
D)lower-upper class

Question 71

Approximately______________percent of the U.S.population are members of the working class.

A)30
B)40
C)50
D)60

Question 72

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,the______________is the one that is most shaped by formal education.

A)upper class
B)upper-upper class
C)upper-middle class
D)middle class

Question 73

Individuals that are poor,seldom employed,and caught in long-term deprivation that results from low levels of education and income and high rates of unemployment are part of the:

A)underclass
B)working class
C)middle class
D)lower class

Question 74

Which theorist predicted that bureaucratization would increase even without capitalism?

A)Karl Marx
B)Max Weber
C)Dennis Gilbert
D)Emile Durkheim

Question 75

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,two-year or four-year college degrees have replaced the high school diploma as an entry-level requirement for employment in many______________occupations,including medical technicians and nurses.This social class represents an estimated 30 percent of the U.S.population.

A)middle-class
B)upper class
C)upper-upper class
D)upper-middle class

Question 76

According to Weber,bureaucracies hold social power in modern societies;individual power depends on a person's______________within the bureaucracy.

A)wealth
B)education
C)position
D)occupational

Question 77

Sociologist Max Weber suggested that a person who has a high level of prestige is assumed to receive deferential and respectful treatment from others.He noted all the following to be true EXCEPT that:

A)they tend to socialize with one another
B)they tend to marry outside their own group of social equals
C)they tend to spend their leisure time together
D)they tend to safeguard their status by restricting outsiders' opportunities to join their ranks

Question 78

According to the social class model developed by sociologist Dennis Gilbert,persons in the class (about 14 percent of the U.S.population)are often highly educated professionals who have built careers as physicians,attorneys,stockbrokers,or corporate managers.

A)upper-upper
B)lower-upper
C)upper-middle
D)middle

Question 79

About______________percent of the U.S.population are members of the upper-middle class.

A)7
B)14
C)32
D)44

Question 80

Relatively low-paying,non-manual,semiskilled positions primarily held by women,such as day care workers,checkout clerks,cashiers,and waitpersons are referred to as:

A)white-collar jobs
B)blue-collar jobs
C)pink-collar jobs
D)frayed collar jobs