Question 1

When a person does not have adequate resources to maintain his or her health,such as enough food to eat,the person is said to be in

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a condition where an individual lacks the basic resources necessary for a minimum standard of living, such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

Question 2

When sociologists examine how far an individual moves up or down the socioeconomic scale in his or her lifetime,they are studying

Accepted Answer

Intragenerational mobility refers to the changes in social status that occur within a person's lifetime, such as moving up or down the socioeconomic scale.

Question 3

What is meant by the phrase feminization of poverty?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "feminization of poverty" refers to the increasing proportion of the poor who are female, highlighting the gender disparities in poverty rates.

Question 4

According to Pierre Bourdieu,working-class parents are just as interested in their children's education as middle- and upper-class parents,but they lack the _______ to help their children experience social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital refers to the non-financial social assets, such as education, intellect, style of speech, and appearance, that promote social mobility. Working-class parents may lack the cultural capital that middle- and upper-class parents possess, which can affect their children's educational and social opportunities.

Question 5

Intergenerational mobility is best described as when

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational mobility refers to changes in social status or class from one generation to the next, typically comparing the class position of children to that of their parents or grandparents.

Question 6

Those who believe that poverty results from structural factors beyond the control of individuals would see which of the following as a source of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Unequal distribution of educational resources is a structural factor that can limit opportunities and contribute to poverty, as it is beyond the control of individuals.

Question 7

How does the government determine the poverty line?

Accepted Answer

The government determines the poverty line by calculating a strict, no-frills budget based on cost estimates for different family sizes, primarily using the cost of a minimum food diet multiplied by three, adjusted for inflation.

Question 8

Social Security accounts for about ______ of the income of the typical retiree.

Accepted Answer

Social Security benefits are the primary source of income for many retirees, accounting for about 33 percent of their total income.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of what Pierre Bourdieu refers to as cultural capital?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital refers to non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as education, intellect, style of speech, dress, or physical appearance. Parents reading to their children and encouraging them to do well in school is an example of cultural capital as it involves the transmission of knowledge and educational values.

Question 10

At the beginning of her sophomore year of high school,Janis's family cannot afford to buy her new clothes and shoes or enough supplies for school.Janis feels poor compared to her classmates who can afford these things.Janis is experiencing

Accepted Answer

Janis is experiencing relative poverty, which refers to feeling poor in comparison to others in her community or social group, even if her basic needs are met.

Question 11

According to Peter Blau and Otis Dudley Duncan,the key factor behind occupational status is

Accepted Answer

Peter Blau and Otis Dudley Duncan emphasized the importance of education as a key factor influencing occupational status in their research on social mobility.

Question 12

Absolute poverty means,essentially,not having enough to eat.What does relative poverty mean?

Accepted Answer

Relative poverty refers to a condition where individuals are considered poor in comparison to the larger population within their society, meaning they have less income or resources than the average person in their community.

Question 13

Which period saw increasing rates of child poverty?

Accepted Answer

The late 1970s and 1980s saw increasing rates of child poverty due to economic changes, including recessions and shifts in social policies.

Question 14

Sarah believes her neighbors are poor because they have been socialized into a set of values,beliefs,and norms that result in behavior that leads to poverty.Sarah supports which of the following theories of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Sarah's belief aligns with the "culture of poverty" theory, which suggests that poverty arises from a set of cultural values and behaviors that are passed down through generations, leading to a cycle of poverty.

Question 15

According to William Sewell and Robert Hauser,the key factor behind occupational status is

Accepted Answer

Sewell and Hauser emphasized the importance of educational and career aspirations in determining occupational status, highlighting the role of individual goals and ambitions in shaping career outcomes.

Question 16

Although official estimates show that relatively few elderly people live in poverty,these statistics may be misleading because

Accepted Answer

Official estimates may not fully account for the disparities in poverty rates among elderly people based on gender, race, and marital status, which can significantly affect their economic well-being.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of downward mobility?

Accepted Answer

Downward mobility refers to a decrease in social or economic status. Jane's situation represents downward mobility as she moved from a middle-class professional background to a lower-status job as a grocery store clerk.

Question 18

What is the single biggest reason why an increasing proportion of those in poverty are women?

Accepted Answer

Single women are more likely to be raising small children than single men, which often limits their ability to work full-time or pursue higher-paying jobs, contributing to higher poverty rates among women.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy, which often involves a change in social class or economic status. Jasper's transition from a lower-class background to becoming a wealthy doctor is an example of upward social mobility.

Question 20

French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu emphasizes the importance of "cultural capital" in determining a child's later social class.Identify the example of cultural capital.

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital refers to non-financial social assets that promote social mobility. Having parents who help with homework is an example of cultural capital as it involves educational support and engagement that can influence a child's academic success and future social class.

Quiz 7: Stratification,class,and Inequality