Question 1

Many celebrities purchase large mansions and expensive vehicles.In addition,they also often purchase designer clothing and wear lavish jewelry.According to Pierre Bourdieu,this is an example of which of these?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of distinction, which refers to the practice of displaying social status and taste through consumer goods and cultural capital. Celebrities use their wealth and fame to distinguish themselves from others and create a sense of exclusivity.

Question 2

Wealth refers to money earned from wages and rents,whereas income refers to assets.

Accepted Answer

Wealth refers to the total value of assets owned by an individual or household, including but not limited to money earned from wages and rents. Income refers to the money earned through wages, rents, investments, and any other sources. Therefore, both wealth and income can include money earned from wages and rents, but they are not interchangeable terms.

Question 3

Which theorist argued that elite members of society want their social class membership to be obvious to others,and they accomplish this through conspicuous consumption?

Accepted Answer

Thorstein Veblen is the theorist who argued that elite members of society engage in conspicuous consumption to signal their social class membership. He believed that the upper class desires to set themselves apart from the lower class, and that they do so by engaging in highly visible and expensive forms of consumption.

Question 4

Which of these is TRUE of Matthew Desmond's study of eviction?

Accepted Answer

Desmond's study found that women of color, specifically black women, were the most likely to be evicted. Option A is incorrect as landlords often make substantial profits by renting to poor renters because they are willing to pay higher rents due to a lack of alternative housing options. Option C is incorrect as Desmond's study found that those who are evicted often spend a significant portion of their income on housing, sometimes as much as 80%. Option D is incorrect as Desmond's study did not suggest that poor families fail to manage public assistance well, but instead highlighted the inadequacy of public assistance programs in providing affordable housing options.

Question 5

The three dimensions of social stratification are social class,income,and power.

Accepted Answer

The three dimensions of social stratification are class, status, and power. Social class relates to one's economic position, status refers to the social honor or prestige that a particular group is accorded by other members of a society, and power relates to the ability to achieve aims or further the interests one holds even against resistance from others. Income is often a component or consequence of class but is not considered a separate dimension of social stratification.

Question 6

Which theorists advocate for narrowing the income gap between the very rich and the very poor?

Accepted Answer

Conflict/critical theorists advocate for narrowing the income gap between the very rich and the very poor. They believe that the income gap creates social inequality and injustices, and that the wealthy use their power and influence to maintain their status while exploiting the poor. They argue for progressive taxation, welfare programs, and policies that redistribute wealth to address these issues. Structural/functional and interactionist theorists may acknowledge the income gap but may not necessarily advocate for its reduction as a central goal. Feminist theorists primarily focus on gender-based inequalities rather than income inequality.

Question 7

Sociologists use a month-by-month measure to determine income.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists typically use an annual measure to determine income, such as the annual income reported on tax returns or in surveys. A month-by-month measure would not provide an accurate representation of income over the course of a year.

Question 8

Which perspective would be most likely to observe that certain occupations,such as surgeons and attorneys require a great deal of education and must be rewarded with higher salaries and extensive benefit packages?

Accepted Answer

The structural/functional perspective emphasizes the importance of certain social structures and institutions, and how they contribute to the overall functioning and stability of society. This perspective would likely argue that certain occupations require a great deal of education and expertise, and must be rewarded with higher salaries and benefits in order to attract and retain qualified professionals who are essential to the functioning of society.

Question 9

The greatest economic differences in U.S.society are due to differences in income.

Accepted Answer

While income differences are significant, wealth disparities (including assets like property, stocks, and inheritance) often represent even greater economic differences in U.S. society.

Question 10

Karl Marx and Max Weber shared the same definition of social class.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx defined social class as being based on an individual's relationship to the means of production, while Max Weber defined social class as being based on a combination of factors including wealth, power, and prestige.

Question 11

Many actors and actresses earn millions each year and display their wealth by living in upscale mansions and driving expensive vehicles.What does their behavior exemplify?

Accepted Answer

The behavior described represents conspicuous consumption, which is the act of displaying one's wealth through lavish spending and material possessions. This behavior is often seen among individuals in higher social classes as a way to signal status and prestige to others.

Question 12

A woman helps her elderly neighbor by running weekly errands for her and her elderly neighbor helps her by keeping an eye on her house while she is at work.This is an example of symbolic exchange.

Accepted Answer

In symbolic exchange, people exchange goods or services based on mutual trust and respect rather than on the exact value of the items. In this scenario, the two neighbors are helping each other out of goodwill and building a relationship based on trust and mutual benefit.

Question 13

The U.S.' tax system is designed to decrease wealth inequality.

Accepted Answer

While the tax system includes progressive taxation, which means that those with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes, it does not fully address wealth inequality. Other factors such as inheritance, the opportunity gap, and systemic inequality also contribute to wealth disparities.

Question 14

High income is always associated with high status and high social power.

Accepted Answer

High income often correlates with higher status and social power, but it is not always the case. Status and power can also derive from factors like family background, social connections, cultural capital, and personal achievements, independent of income.

Question 15

Which theorist focused on the cultural elements of consumption?

Accepted Answer

Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital focuses on how the consumption of cultural goods (such as art, music, and literature) serves as a marker of social status and can reinforce social inequality. This theory emphasizes the ways in which consumption practices are shaped by and reinforce cultural values and social structures.

Question 16

Which perspective is likely to focus on what people do within a stratified structure,such as how they present their authority or lack of authority in their body language?

Accepted Answer

The perspective that focuses on what people do within a stratified structure and how they present their authority or lack of authority in their body language is the interactionist perspective. It emphasizes the importance of individual agency and how people create and maintain social order through their interactions.

Question 17

What is exemplified when elites are copied by classes below them and then adopt a new fashion to differentiate themselves?

Accepted Answer

The trickle-down theory explains how fashion and trends start with the upper class and then are adopted by lower classes, leading the upper class to move on to new trends to maintain their status and distinction.

Question 18

Wealth helps people buy or otherwise acquire high status and power.

Accepted Answer

Wealth can provide access to opportunities, resources, and networks that can enhance one's social status and increase their power and influence. It also allows people to acquire material possessions that can signal wealth and status, such as luxury items, exclusive memberships, or expensive homes. Additionally, the ability to make large donations or investments can provide individuals with a degree of social and political leverage.

Question 19

What is exemplified when a lower-class person buys an imitation item of the upper class to imitate the upper-class position?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is exemplified when a lower-class person...

Question 20

New York trash collectors who earn a higher income than local business owners exemplify status inconsistency.

Accepted Answer

Status inconsistency refers to a situation where an individual holds different levels of status across different dimensions of social stratification, such as income, education, and occupation. In this case, the trash collectors who earn a higher income than local business owners are an example of status inconsistency. They may have a higher income and occupational status than the business owners, but they may not necessarily have the same level of education or social prestige.

Quiz 8: Social Stratification in the United States