Question 1

Capitalism is an economic system in which

Accepted Answer

Capitalism is an economic system in which private individuals and businesses own and control the means of production and distribution of goods and services. The main motive for economic activity in a capitalist system is the pursuit of profit. This differs from option A, which describes socialism, where the means of production and distribution are collectively owned by the community, and option B, which describes communism, where all property is communally owned and no social distinctions are made based on productivity. Option D describes a form of socialism where the government owns and controls the means of production.

Question 2

A system of enforced servitude in which people are legally owned by others is known as

Accepted Answer

Slavery is the system of enforced servitude in which people are legally owned by others. Feudalism is a system that existed in medieval Europe where lords provided protection and land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service. Communism is a socioeconomic system in which property and resources are collectively owned and controlled by the community as a whole. A caste system is a social hierarchy in which one's status is determined by birth and is usually rigid and unchangeable.

Question 3

A single mother who works in a factory sewing large sheets of canvas would be considered

Accepted Answer

The fact that the single mother works in a factory sewing large sheets of canvas suggests that she is part of the working class, which typically involves manual labor and hourly wages.

Question 4

An 83-year-old woman is placed at a small table in a dark corner of a trendy nightclub and is ignored by the staff.Her shoddy treatment is probably due to her age,which is a(n)________ status.

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status refers to the status that is assigned to an individual by society based on some characteristic that is not within the person's control. In this case, the woman's age is an ascribed characteristic and it is likely that she is receiving poor treatment because of it. The other choices are not applicable in this scenario. Achieved status refers to a status that is earned through one's actions or accomplishments, horizontal status refers to a social position that is similar in power and prestige to other positions, and structural status refers to a position that is determined by one's role in a particular social structure or institution.

Question 5

In sociologist Daniel Rossides's model of the class system of the U.S. ,which social class contains the smallest portion of the population?

Accepted Answer

According to Daniel Rossides's model, the upper class contains the smallest portion of the population. It is estimated to be less than 1% of the population and includes the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in the country.

Question 6

Some sociologists have suggested that in the southern U.S.in the pre-civil rights era,an African American individual was born into a status that would always be subordinate to the status of all of the White members of the community.This is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

The idea that an individual's status is determined by their birth and cannot be changed is the defining characteristic of a caste system. In the pre-civil rights era in the southern U.S., African Americans were born into a caste system where their status was subordinate to that of all White members of society. This was a result of institutionalized racism and oppression that denied African Americans equal access to education, employment, and political participation.

Question 7

Which of the following factors have contributed to the shrinking size of the middle class?

Accepted Answer

Global competition and rapid advances in technology have led to the outsourcing of jobs and automation, resulting in the displacement of middle-class workers and a decline in job security.

Answer: D 
 The decline of new growth industries and nonunion workplaces has led to a decrease in job opportunities and stagnant wages for the middle class, contributing to their shrinkage.

A and B are not factors that have contributed to the shrinking size of the middle class, as increasing opportunities for those with little education and independence of the temporary workforce may actually lead to upward mobility for individuals and a more diverse workforce.

Question 8

Which of the following terms refers to hereditary systems of rank that are relatively fixed,immobile,and generally religiously dictated?

Accepted Answer

Castes are hereditary systems of rank that are relatively fixed and immobile, with individuals born into a particular caste and having limited opportunities for social mobility. These systems are often religiously dictated and are found in societies such as India. Tenures refer to the terms or conditions of land ownership or use, while slavery refers to the ownership and control of one person by another. Feudalism refers to a political and social system in which nobles hold land from a monarch in exchange for service and loyalty.

Question 9

A condition in which members of a society have different amounts of wealth,prestige,or power is called

Accepted Answer

Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges among individuals or groups in a society based on factors such as wealth, power, and social status. It is a result of social structures and systems that create and perpetuate these inequalities. Socialization refers to the process of learning social norms, values, and behaviors. Status refers to the position or rank of an individual or group in a social hierarchy. Social structure refers to the patterned social arrangements in a society.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about slavery is true?

Accepted Answer

Slavery is considered the most extreme form of social inequality because it involves one person completely owning and controlling another person, often against their will. The other options are incorrect - slavery has occurred in many different societies throughout history, not just in the U.S. and Greece; slavery was not necessarily a permanent status in ancient Greece, as some slaves could earn their freedom; and slavery in the U.S. was not considered an achieved status, as it was not something that someone could work towards or attain through their own efforts.

Question 11

Which of the following terms is used by sociologists for a structured ranking of groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in society?

Accepted Answer

Stratification is a term used by sociologists to describe the structured ranking of groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in society. Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move up or down in the stratification system. Hypergamy refers to the social practice of women marrying men of higher social status. Status refers to an individual's position in society, which may or may not be based on stratification.

Question 12

A woman is born into a homeless,single-parent family.She is very talented,and as an adult she becomes a wealthy,world-acclaimed pianist.This scenario most closely represents which type of stratification system?

Accepted Answer

This scenario represents class stratification because the woman's social status is based on her economic status and achievements rather than her ascribed status such as caste or estate. Her success and wealth have allowed her to move up in the social strata regardless of her humble beginnings.

Question 13

Karl Marx argued that social,economic,and political inequalities are dependent on

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx's theory of social inequality is based on the idea of class differentiation, where social, economic, and political inequalities are a result of the unequal distribution of resources and power among different social classes. According to Marx, the dominant class exploits the working class to maintain its power and economic control. Marx believed that social change could only occur through a revolution that would overthrow the ruling class and establish a classless society.

Question 14

Which of the following social classes is declining in size?

Accepted Answer

The working class is declining in size as a result of changes in the economy and the rise of automation, which has led to the loss of many jobs in industries such as manufacturing and retail. This has resulted in more people either moving up to the middle class or falling into poverty.

Question 15

Susan owns and profits from her own business.She is a part of a capitalist class,which is also referred to as a

Accepted Answer

The bourgeoisie refers to the capitalist class - those who own and profit from their own businesses. Susan fits into this category as a small business owner.

Question 16

An ascribed status is a social position

Accepted Answer

An ascribed status is a social position that is assigned to a person without regard to the person's unique characteristics or talents. It is typically based on factors such as age, race, gender, or family background, which are not within the individual's control. Therefore, option B is the best choice. The other options (A, C, and D) do not accurately describe an ascribed status.

Question 17

Less affluent professionals,such as elementary school teachers,are included in which of the following social classes?

Accepted Answer

Less affluent professionals like elementary school teachers are typically categorized in the lower middle class due to their income and occupational status.

Question 18

Which of the following types of stratification systems required peasants to work land leased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection and other services?

Accepted Answer

The estate system, also known as feudalism, required peasants to work land leased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection and other services. This system was prevalent in medieval Europe.

Question 19

A class system employs a social ranking based primarily on

Accepted Answer

A class system employs a social ranking based primarily on economic position, with individuals ranked based on their income, wealth, occupation, and education. Age, caste, and religious/ethnic background may be factors that contribute to an individual's economic position, but they are not the primary basis for the class system.

Question 20

A system of stratification under which peasants were required to work land leased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The estate system is a form of stratification characterized by control of land and was prevalent in medieval Europe, where peasants worked land owned by nobles in exchange for protection and other services, fitting the description provided.

Quiz 8: Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States