Question 1

Which assumption does the Davis-Moore thesis make?

Accepted Answer

The Davis-Moore thesis assumes that social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of society, suggesting that positions are filled by those who are most qualified, which implies advancement based on experience, skills, and education.

Question 2

What did Karl Marx argue about class relations?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx argued that class relationships involve inequality and exploitation, with the bourgeoisie oppressing the proletariat in capitalist societies. He believed that class struggle would eventually lead to the overthrow of the bourgeoisie and the establishment of a socialist society.

Question 3

Which of the following is a structural risk factor for homelessness?

Accepted Answer

Lack of affordable housing is a structural risk factor for homelessness as it refers to the larger societal and economic issues related to the availability and affordability of safe and stable housing. Substance abuse, unemployment, and divorce are individual or situational factors that may contribute to homelessness, but they are not necessarily structural risk factors.

Question 4

In the Catholic Church,ordained priests all start their clerical careers at the same place;however,rising through the ranks is a competitive process based upon achievement.What kind of promotional structure is represented here?

Accepted Answer

The promotional structure in the Catholic Church is based on meritocracy, which means advancement is based on achievement and merit rather than seniority or favoritism.

Question 5

What prediction did Karl Marx make with his theory about social stratification in capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx's theory predicted that the exploitation of the working class would lead to a class consciousness and eventual revolution against the bourgeois ruling class. This is known as the concept of class struggle or the struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. Marx did not predict income equality in capitalist societies and did not focus on conflict between the bourgeoisie and petite bourgeoisie. Additionally, his theory argued that surplus value was not created in feudalism or capitalism but rather was a product of capitalist exploitation of the proletariat.

Question 6

Which statement best reflects the experience of the elderly in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Canada has government programs like Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) that provide income security for seniors. These programs have been effective in reducing poverty among the elderly. However, poverty is still a concern for some seniors, particularly those who do not have access to these programs or have low levels of income. Overall, the experience of the elderly in Canada is diverse, but government programs have made a positive impact on reducing poverty.

Question 7

Which condition in a capitalist system is Marx referring to by the use of the term alienation?

Accepted Answer

Marx used the term alienation to refer to the detachment or estrangement that exists between workers and their labor in a capitalist system. This results from the fact that workers do not have control over their work conditions, production processes, or the product they produce. They are merely selling their labor power, which becomes a commodity, and are divorced from the end or value of what they produce. This, in turn, leads to a sense of powerlessness, exploitation, and dissatisfaction with one's work and life circumstances.

Question 8

If you were to use a conflict perspective to determine social inequality,which concept would you study?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective focuses on how social inequality arises from the power struggles between different groups in society. In this context, property ownership and control are key concepts to study as they highlight the distribution of economic resources and the ways in which certain groups hold disproportionate power and control over them. This can encompass issues like access to land, housing, and other forms of property that impact individuals and communities differently based on their social position.

Question 9

Which term refers to services and programs designed to lesson financial burdens experienced by low-income groups?

Accepted Answer

The term "social safety net" refers to services and programs designed to lessen financial burdens experienced by low-income groups. They include a variety of assistance programs that help individuals and families meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, healthcare, and childcare. Examples of social safety net programs in the United States include Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

Question 10

Over the last several decades,what has been the trend for poverty rates?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Over the last several decades,what has been...

Question 11

Which statement best describes Marx's prediction for capitalism?

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that capitalism would inevitably lead to a conflict between the capitalists and the working class, as the workers realized their exploitation and became conscious of their collective power. This would ultimately result in a proletarian revolution overthrowing the capitalists and establishing a socialist society.

Question 12

Which statement best summarizes Marx's belief about poverty?

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that the economic system of capitalism creates an unequal distribution of wealth and power, with the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) exploiting and oppressing the proletariat (working class). This economic inequality is the root cause of poverty and other social inequalities. Marx did not believe that social classes emerge out of societal consensus or that religion is a primary avenue of social change. While Marx saw the bourgeoisie as benefiting from the capitalist system, he did not argue that they were systematically disadvantaged.

Question 13

According to Karl Marx's ideas,what is likely to happen to Carrie when she moves from designing,producing,and selling her own women's fashions to working as a seamstress for a large design company?

Accepted Answer

According to Karl Marx's theory of alienation, when workers lose control over the production process, they become disconnected from the final product and their own sense of creativity and fulfillment. Thus, Carrie is likely to experience alienation when she moves from designing, producing, and selling her own fashions to working as a seamstress for a large design company.

Question 14

Which term describes a world in which everyone would have an opportunity to compete for higher-status positions and those most capable would be awarded the highest ranks?

Accepted Answer

A meritocracy is a system of government or society in which appointments and responsibilities are assigned based on merit or ability. This would provide equal opportunity for individuals to compete for high-status positions and those who are most capable or skilled would be awarded those positions.

Question 15

David takes a job at the auto plant and begins to feel like a commodity at work,like his creative talents are so removed from the vehicles he has a hand in producing.What would Karl Marx suggest he is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx would suggest that David is experiencing alienation - a feeling of disconnection and estrangement from the fruits of one's labor, as well as a sense of powerlessness and isolation. This is a common experience for workers under capitalism, where labor is often divided into specialized and repetitive tasks that reduce workers to mere cogs in a machine, rather than creative and autonomous individuals. Marx argued that this alienation was a result of the exploitation inherent in capitalist production, where workers are not valued for their skills or labor, but solely for the profit they can generate for the capitalist class.

Question 16

Which of the following people would NOT be of high status in the scheme developed by Weber?

Accepted Answer

According to Weber, high status is determined by a combination of factors including wealth, power, and prestige associated with one's occupation. While an elderly individual may have extensive knowledge of the society, this factor alone would not contribute to high status.

Question 17

Suppose Jack and Annie's parents were teaching them about living in a meritocracy.What key lesson would the children need to learn?

Accepted Answer

The key lesson of living in a meritocracy is that one's share of societal resources is based on their qualifications and effort. This means that individuals are rewarded based on their own hard work and accomplishments, rather than their ascribed statuses or inherited wealth. In a meritocracy, everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed based on their individual merit.

Question 18

Which belief would be considered fact in a meritocracy?

Accepted Answer

In a meritocracy, the belief that it is up to the individual to break the cycle of poverty would be considered a fact. This is because in a meritocracy, success is determined by individual ability and effort, and individuals are rewarded based on their achievements, rather than their social status or background. Therefore, the belief that individuals have the power to improve their own circumstances through hard work and merit would be a fundamental tenet of a meritocratic society.

Question 19

What kind of stratification system produces social mobility for meritocracy and achieved status?

Accepted Answer

Open stratification systems are those that allow for social mobility based on individual achievement and merit. This means that individuals can move up the social ladder based on their own abilities rather than being restricted by their family background or inherited status. In contrast, caste and aristocratic systems are closed, meaning that social mobility is limited or nonexistent, while closed systems typically allow for social mobility only through inherited wealth or social status. Therefore, C is the correct choice.

Question 20

According to functionalist theory,which statement best describes inequality?

Accepted Answer

According to functionalist theory, inequality is seen as a necessary and inevitable part of society, as it serves to motivate individuals to work hard to achieve success and rewards. Therefore, inequality exists in all societies according to this perspective. Choices A and B criticize inequality, which goes against the functionalist view. Choice C is more aligned with conflict theory, which argues that the wealthy and powerful benefit from keeping the poor in a disadvantaged position.

Quiz 5: Social Inequality in Canadian Society