Question 1

What is the effect of taxes and government transfers on income inequality in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Taxes and government transfers in Canada are designed to redistribute income, which generally reduces income inequality. Taxes tend to be progressive, meaning higher income individuals pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes, and government transfers often provide financial support to lower-income individuals and families.

Question 2

In terms of extremes regarding income inequality, between which two wealthy countries is Canada placed?

Accepted Answer

Canada's income inequality is positioned between the United States, which has high income inequality, and Denmark, known for its low income inequality among wealthy nations.

Question 3

Which of the following sociological explanations of social inequality is Robinson Crusoe most consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore's functionalist theory of social stratification argues that social inequality is necessary to motivate individuals to fill different positions in society that require varying levels of skill and responsibility. In "Robinson Crusoe," the social inequality depicted is not based on economic capital (Marx), status and power differences (Weber), or cultural capital (Bourdieu), but rather on the functional necessity of different roles for survival, which aligns more closely with Davis and Moore's perspective.

Question 4

Why do writers and filmmakers use "shipwrecks" to talk about society?

Accepted Answer

During a shipwreck, typical inequalities between people are stripped away, as everyone is faced with the same danger and must work together to survive.

Question 5

Why are Marilyn and Peter able to buy so much more for their family today than a family in the 1950s would have?

Accepted Answer

Marilyn and Peter are able to buy more because both of them work for pay, contributing to a higher household income compared to the typical single-earner household of the 1950s. This dual-income model is more common today and increases purchasing power.

Question 6

How has quintile distribution of income in Canada changed between 1976 and 2011?

Accepted Answer

Between 1976 and 2011 in Canada, income distribution saw the top quintile increasing its share of income, while the other four quintiles experienced a decrease in their share, indicating growing income inequality.

Question 7

Which of the following refers to the organization of society into a hierarchical structure based on wealth, power, and status?

Accepted Answer

Social stratification refers to the way society is organized into layers or strata, based on characteristics such as wealth, power, and status. This hierarchical structure influences individuals' access to resources and opportunities.

Question 8

According to the textbook, which wealthy country has the highest income inequality?

Accepted Answer

The United States has the highest income inequality among wealthy countries, as indicated by various measures and reports, including the Gini coefficient and analyses by organizations such as the OECD.

Question 9

Ryuichi's parents have decided to send him to a private high school. Which of the following assets contributing to high income can they reasonably hope that he will gain there?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital can be gained through education and social interactions found in environments like private high schools, which often provide access to networks, extracurricular activities, and educational resources that contribute to one's social and cultural development.

Question 10

Which of the following is most likely to earn an amount of income influenced by genetics?

Accepted Answer

NHL hockey players' income can be significantly influenced by genetics, as physical attributes such as height, strength, and coordination, which are partially determined by genetics, can greatly impact an athlete's performance and success in sports.

Question 11

Garrett is interested in working at a large multinational manufacturing company. His uncle knows the family that owns the company, so Garrett asks his uncle to help get him an interview. What is Garrett using in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Garrett is using social capital, which refers to the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively. In this case, Garrett is leveraging his uncle's relationship with the company's owning family to gain an advantage in securing an interview.

Question 12

The Gini coefficient for North American countries is between 0.3 and 0.4, and for Latin American countries it is between 0.4 and 0.5. What does this tell us about income inequality in these regions?

Accepted Answer

The Gini coefficient is a measure of income inequality within a population, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality). A higher Gini coefficient indicates greater inequality. Since Latin American countries have a higher Gini coefficient range (0.4 to 0.5) compared to North American countries (0.3 to 0.4), it indicates that income inequality is greater in Latin America than in North America.

Question 13

Ryan is interested in working at a multinational corporation as a manager. In order to increase his chances of getting hired there, he has enrolled in the Business Administration program at his university. What is he investing in by going to university?

Accepted Answer

By enrolling in the Business Administration program at his university, Ryan is investing in his human capital, which refers to the skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by an individual that can be used to create economic value. This is directly related to enhancing his employability and career prospects, especially in his desired field of management at a multinational corporation.

Question 14

For most Canadians, which of the following plays a major role in income level?

Accepted Answer

Occupation plays a major role in determining income level for most Canadians, as different jobs and career paths come with varying levels of pay and benefits.

Question 15

According to the textbook, which wealthy country has the lowest income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Denmark is known for having one of the lowest levels of income inequality among wealthy countries, largely due to its comprehensive welfare system and progressive taxation.

Question 16

A poor young man born in a coastal outport in Newfoundland grows up and gets a law degree from a prestigious law school while waiting on tables in the cafeteria where his classmates eat. Eventually he becomes a top-notch lawyer and then premier of the province. Which of the following descriptions would sociologists use to describe his upward career path?

Accepted Answer

The poor young man's upward career path from waiting tables to becoming a premier of the province suggests social mobility, where an individual moves up the social ladder from their original position. It was not simply just an equal opportunity presented to him, as his socioeconomic background and circumstances were a disadvantage. It was also not social promotion, where someone is given a higher position regardless of their merits or qualifications. Rather, it was likely a combination of his own hard work and educational achievements that allowed for his success, making it a meritocratic mobility.

Question 17

According to the textbook, which of the following factors of employment income is social capital most closely associated with?

Accepted Answer

Social capital is most closely associated with cultural capital because both involve the networks, relationships, and norms that influence an individual's ability to succeed in various areas, including the workplace. Cultural capital can include knowledge, skills, education, or any advantages a person has due to their cultural background, which aligns with the concept of social capital in terms of leveraging social networks and connections for economic and personal gain.

Question 18

The following figures are income shares of the lowest quintiles in four societies. Which indicates the highest level of income inequality?

Accepted Answer

The lowest income share (3.5 percent) indicates the highest level of income inequality, as it means the bottom quintile has the smallest portion of the total income compared to the other options.

Question 19

Which of the following kinds of people are best to have in one's social network in order to increase one's chances of high work rewards?

Accepted Answer

Well-positioned people are likely to have access to valuable information, resources, and opportunities that can lead to high work rewards.

Question 20

How has the degree of income inequality in Canada changed between 1976 and 2011?

Accepted Answer

Income inequality in Canada has increased between 1976 and 2011, but at a slower pace compared to the United States. This reflects differences in policy, economic structure, and social safety nets between the two countries.

Quiz 8: Social Stratification