Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Sociologist Dennis Gilbert developed a widely used model of social classes based on three elements: occupation, education, and family income. Religion is not one of the elements used in this model.

Question 2

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.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that Judith Rollins conducted a study on the relationship between household workers and their employers, particularly between elite white women and women of color who worked as their domestic workers. The study involved in-depth interviews and participant observation, and aimed to examine the rituals of deference demanded by the employers. This indicates that the statement is true.

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

Economic inequality can lead to a lack of resources and opportunities for individuals and families, making it more difficult to secure affordable housing. Substandard housing is also a problem that can arise from economic inequality, as those with limited financial resources may be unable to make necessary repairs or upgrades to their living spaces.

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that some members of the lower-upper class have achieved the American Dream, but others still aspire to be part of the more prestigious upper-upper class.

Question 5

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.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber actually argued that entrepreneurs were a class of wealthy individuals who not only invested but also actively worked to increase their wealth through business ventures.

Question 6

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Educational opportunities and life chances are directly...

Question 7

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.

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational mobility can occur in both upward and downward directions, meaning that family members can move up or down the social ladder from one generation to the next.

Question 8

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.

Accepted Answer

When sociologists define poverty, they define absolute poverty as a state that exists when people cannot afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Relative poverty, on the other hand, refers to a state where people may have access to basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living due to their limited income or resources compared to the rest of society.

Question 9

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sociologist Karl Marx stated that capitalistic societies...

Question 10

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.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. SES is a combined measure that takes into account factors like income, occupation, and education to categorize individuals, families or households in terms of their class position.

Question 11

According to some social analysts,throughout recorded history only five
societies have been slave societies-those in which the social and
economic impact of slavery was extensive: ancient Greece,the Roman
Empire,the United States,the Caribbean,and Brazil.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. According to some social analysts, only five societies have been considered as slave societies: ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the United States, the Caribbean, and Brazil.

Question 12

Based on prestige ratings for selected occupations in the United States,in 2007,the occupation of college professor received the highest prestige score.

Accepted Answer

In 2007, the occupation of physician typically received the highest prestige score, not college professor.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Slavery was introduced to the United States as a way to provide cheap labor for the growing agricultural economy in the 1600s.

Question 14

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.

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2019, approximately 29.6 percent of the civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over in the United States was employed in "production, transportation, and material moving occupations," which includes semiskilled machine operators. This group is often considered part of the working class, although the definition of this term can vary depending on context and perspective.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that there is a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and health. Wealthy and well-educated people tend to have better access to health care, healthier living conditions, and more opportunities for physical activity, all of which contribute to better health outcomes. Additionally, high-paying jobs often come with less stress and better benefits, which can also contribute to better health.

Question 16

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.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists argue that schools perpetuate social inequality and the capitalist system. One way in which they do this is through the uneven distribution of resources, as funding for education is often tied to local property taxes, which can lead to significant disparities between wealthy and poor areas.

Question 17

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.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that the capitalist class maintained its position by controlling the superstructure, which includes institutions that perpetuate the existing system of exploitation.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of For functionalists,the class structure is the result...

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The term "underclass" refers to the lowest socioeconomic group in society, often characterized by poverty, homelessness, and limited access to education and employment opportunities. It is not another word for the upper-middle class.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20 percent of employed people in the U.S. are considered to be part of the working poor.

Quiz 8: Class and Stratification in the United States