Question 1

The American rich often indulge in luxury goods while pinching pennies on everyday items.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that high-income earners tend to splurge on luxury items such as designer clothing, expensive cars, and lavish vacations while being frugal with everyday spending. They may shop at discount stores, use coupons, and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Question 2

Explain what a credit score is and how it relates to social class.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what a credit score is and...

Question 3

John Jones purchases products to show visible evidence of his ability to afford luxury goods, John is practicing ________.

Accepted Answer

Conspicuous consumption refers to the practice of publicly displaying one's wealth and status through the purchase and display of luxury goods. John Jones purchasing products to show visible evidence of his ability to afford luxury goods fits this definition. The other options are not applicable to this scenario.

Question 4

Trisha grew up in a drug-ridden inner city neighborhood. Through sheer determination and intelligence, Trisha is now a medical doctor teaching on the staff of a large university hospital. Trisha is proud of what she has accomplished, but sometimes she feels stressed and uncertain of who she really is. The concept of ________ assesses the impact of such inconsistencies.

Accepted Answer

Status crystallization refers to the clarity and consistency of an individual's status across different dimensions of their life, such as their career, social background, and current social status. Trisha's feelings of stress and uncertainty about her identity due to the inconsistencies between her past environment and her current status as a medical doctor teaching at a university hospital are related to the concept of status crystallization.

Question 5

Vance comes from the lower-upper class as does Jeff. They are both madly in love with Julia, who is beautiful enough to do part-time modeling. According to the principle of ________, Julia could be attracted to both men.

Accepted Answer

The principle of homogamy suggests that individuals are attracted to those who share similar social background characteristics, such as socioeconomic status. Therefore, it is possible for Julia to be attracted to both Vance and Jeff, as they come from similar social backgrounds. Elaborated codes and restricted codes refer to language and communication styles, and ascribed status refers to social status that is assigned at birth or through other means, neither of which are relevant in this scenario.

Question 6

If a member of the upper class wore shredded Levi's jeans to a formal party, the person would be exhibiting a sophisticated form of conspicuous consumption known as ________.

Accepted Answer

Parody display involves intentionally displaying a contradiction between social norms or expectations and one's behavior or appearance. Wearing shredded Levi's jeans to a formal party would be a clear contradiction of the expected dress code, and could be seen as a form of parody display. Invidious distinction refers to conspicuous consumption aimed at establishing superiority over others, which may not be the motivation behind wearing shredded jeans to a party. Downsizing refers to a deliberate move away from luxurious or extravagant consumption, which is not represented by wearing shredded jeans to a party. Status anxiety refers to the anxiety felt by individuals about their social status and the desire to maintain or improve it, but wearing shredded jeans to a party may not be seen as a direct response to this anxiety.

Question 7

The lower classes use more restrictive codes than do the upper classes. How does this knowledge change the way insurance might be sold to a working-class man compared to an upper-class man?

Accepted Answer

The lower classes tend to favor more immediate and concrete benefits, while the upper classes tend to prioritize long-term consequences and abstract ideas. Therefore, the promotion to the working-class man should emphasize his immediate satisfaction in knowing that his family will be cared for, while the upper-class promotion should emphasize the long-term consequences of the choice.

Question 8

What are the two major components of social class? Explain and comment on each component (such as which is more important).

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two major components of...

Question 9

According to Pierre Bourdieu, people's taste regarding entertainment and the arts serves as a status-making force or ________ that causes consumption preferences to cluster together.

Accepted Answer

Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus refers to the way in which individuals internalize and embody their social position, including their tastes and preferences. According to Bourdieu, people's taste is not just a matter of individual preference, but is shaped by their social background and position. The habitus creates a hierarchy of taste that reflects the cultural capital to which individuals have access. Consumption preferences then cluster together based on this hierarchy, creating a social distinction between those with high cultural capital and those with less. Therefore, the answer is choice letter A) habitus.

Question 10

Of the countries listed below, which is thought to be highly status-conscious?

Accepted Answer

Japan is known for its highly status-conscious society, with strict social hierarchy and emphasis on respect for authority and tradition.

Question 11

When people are differentiated in terms of their aesthetic and intellectual preferences, a ________ is being applied.

Accepted Answer

A taste culture is a framework used to understand how individuals group themselves based on shared aesthetic and intellectual preferences. It refers to the cultural practices and beliefs that shape these shared preferences and behaviors. The other options, such as culture code designation, social cluster, and consumption constellation, do not specifically refer to this type of differentiation based on preferences.

Question 12

Jason is a marketing researcher working for a client who believes that social class will be an important segmenting device. Jason decides to find social class categories by simply asking respondents to pick their own category. Which of the following best supports Jason's approach?

Accepted Answer

B is correct because it suggests that American consumers can accurately self-identify their social class, particularly if they belong to the lower-middle or middle class, which supports Jason's approach of asking respondents to pick their own category.

Question 13

A member of ________ has recently gained personal wealth and may experience status anxiety. Such individuals may try to display symbols of their success to make up for an internal lack of assurance about the "correct" way to behave.

Accepted Answer

The term "nouveau riche" refers to individuals who have recently acquired significant wealth and may feel insecure about their newfound status. This insecurity can lead them to try to display symbols of their success in order to bolster their self-assurance.

Question 14

Evan was an aggressive, rich, and determined businessman originally from a working class family. He had become wealthier than he had ever imagined by buying and selling other businesses. Evan seemingly could do anything until he tried a hostile takeover of an established bank owned by several prestigious families. When his bid failed, Evan said "I always knew there was an elite, but up to now I thought I was part of it." What type of capital was Evan lacking?

Accepted Answer

Evan's statement suggests that he believed he was a part of the social and cultural elite, indicating that he lacked cultural capital.

Question 15

The prestige of occupations varies dramatically from one culture to the next.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The prestige of occupations varies dramatically from...

Question 16

Lower-class men are more likely than middle-class men to have a general sense of empowerment.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not supported by research. In fact, studies have found that individuals in lower socio-economic classes often experience feelings of powerlessness and lack of control, while those in higher socio-economic classes have greater access to resources and opportunities that can promote a sense of empowerment.

Question 17

When a Rolls-Royce, a Cartier diamond, and an Andy Warhol painting are bought and displayed as markers of social class, they are ________.

Accepted Answer

These items are being used as status symbols, which are possessions or displays that indicate an individual's wealth, social position, or prestige. They are not social inhibitors, social parameters, or psychological blocks.

Question 18

What modern American ceremony would come closest in intent to a Native American potlatch?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What modern American ceremony would come closest...

Question 19

List the 6 social classes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List the 6 social classes....

Question 20

Harry was the lead singer in a band that hit it big. For his birthday, Harry had two hundred friends flown by chartered jets to a private island in the South Pacific. They ate the most expensive food, and every morning the bungalows were burned to the ground and rebuilt for the next night. Harry's party is a good example of ________.

Accepted Answer

Harry's party is an example of conspicuous consumption, which involves the lavish display of wealth and status through extravagant spending on goods and services.

Quiz 12: Income and Social Class