Question 1

Sam owns a business that employs 10 employees. According to Erik Wright's model of social class, Sam would be classified a:
A) worker.
B) capitalist.
C) labourer.
D) petty bourgeoisie.
E) entrepreneur.

Accepted Answer

According to Erik Wright's model of social class, the petty bourgeoisie are small business owners who may employ a few workers but are not part of the capitalist class. Sam, owning a business with 10 employees, fits this category.

Question 2

Eric Wright revised Marx's concept of social classes by regarding some people as simultaneously occupying more than one class. He termed their positions in the class structure:
A) class ambiguity.
B) incongruent class positions.
C) contradictory class locations.
D) status inconsistency.
E) class inconsistency.

Accepted Answer

Eric Wright introduced the concept of "contradictory class locations" to describe individuals who simultaneously occupy positions in more than one class, reflecting the complexities of modern class structures.

Question 3

From a functionalist perspective, Davis and Moore conclude several reasons for the inevitability of stratification. Which of the following is not one of these reasons? A) Some positions are of greater importance B) Some positions require more qualifications C) Some positions require greater rewards to ensure they are filled D) To ensure all positions are filled E) To ensure people understand their place in society

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore's functionalist perspective on social stratification emphasizes the necessity of stratification to ensure that the most important positions are filled by the most qualified individuals, and that these positions are rewarded accordingly to motivate individuals to achieve the necessary qualifications. They do not argue that stratification exists to ensure people understand their place in society, which is more of a reflection of a social control perspective than a functionalist perspective on the inevitability of stratification.

Question 4

Although the working class is more liberal on_________ issues, this class is more conservative on _______ issues.
A) religious; social
B) social; economic
C) economic; social
D) economic; religious
E) religious; economic

Accepted Answer

The working class tends to be more liberal on economic issues, advocating for policies like higher minimum wages and stronger labor rights. However, they are often more conservative on social issues, such as immigration and traditional family values.

Question 5

Celine is an executive in a large corporation. Recently, it was discovered that she had embezzled money from the corporation. Because of her position, it is likely that her crime will be:
A) overlooked and she will be promoted.
B) severely punished in the criminal court.
C) dealt with however the police deem appropriate.
D) severely punished in the civil court.
E) dealt with outside the criminal justice system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Celine is an executive in a large...

Question 6

In 2004, the average income of the poorest 10 percent of Canadian families was_______ compared to that of the richest 10 percent of Canadians, which was__________
A) $23 300; $135 810
B) rising; declining
C) staying the same; rising
D) $60 00; $135 810
E) 20 percent higher; 20 percent lower

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A) $23,300 for the poorest 10 percent and $135,810 for the richest 10 percent. This reflects the actual income disparity between the poorest and richest deciles in Canada in 2004, based on statistical data.

Question 7

From the 1930s until now, sociologists have found that the mental health of the lower classes is worse than that of the higher classes. One explanation for these differences is that the poor:
A) do not understand mental health issues.
B) do not take care of their mental health needs.
C) are more likely to inherit mental disorders.
D) are not motivated to stay mentally healthy.
E) experience greater stress in their lives.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is E because lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher levels of stress due to factors such as financial insecurity, unstable living conditions, and limited access to healthcare, which can negatively impact mental health.

Question 8

Status_________ refers to a situation in which individuals are ranked high on some dimension of social class and low on other dimensions.
A) incompatibility
B) inconsistency
C) insecurity
D) fluidity
E) contradiction

Accepted Answer

Status inconsistency refers to a situation where an individual ranks high on some dimensions of social class (such as education) and low on others (such as income), leading to a mismatch in their social status across different contexts.

Question 9

Sociologists Dennis Gilbert and Joseph Kahl modified Weber's model of social class by developing a six-class model to reflect the class structure of the United States and other capitalist countries. In addition to the criteria of wealth, power, and prestige, they included as_________ a primary criterion of class.
A) lineage
B) education
C) gender
D) church affiliation
E) reputation

Accepted Answer

Gilbert and Kahl included education as a primary criterion of class in their model, recognizing its significant role in determining an individual's social class by affecting their access to wealth, power, and prestige.

Question 10

Less than 2 percent of Canadians constitute the super-rich who own_______ percent of corporate stocks and bonds in Canada.
A) 100
B) 80
C) 50
D) 70
E) 60

Accepted Answer

The super-rich in Canada, constituting less than 2 percent of the population, own approximately 80 percent of corporate stocks and bonds, highlighting significant wealth concentration.

Question 11

Ronald is a young child living in the inner city. His family is on welfare, as are his grandparents. His chances of getting out of poverty are considered to be 50-50. Based on this information, Ronald and his family are most likely members of the:
A) underclass.
B) underachievers.
C) migrant workers.
D) working poor.
E) classless.

Accepted Answer

The term "underclass" is used to describe individuals and families living in significant poverty, often with little hope of escaping it. This group may also lack access to stable employment and may be more reliant on welfare systems, as described in Ronald's situation.

Question 12

Jonathan is a sanitation engineer. His job is to pick up garbage in the city in which he resides. If people were asked to rank his occupation in regards to prestige, Jonathan's occupation would be seen as having:
A) low prestige because it is seen as a low-level, blue-collar job.
B) high prestige because his job has greater autonomy.
C) about the same prestige as nurses.
D) high prestige because his job requires abstract thought.
E) mid-level prestige because his job is necessary.

Accepted Answer

Sanitation engineer, despite its essential role in maintaining public health and cleanliness, is typically seen as a low-level, blue-collar job, which tends to be ranked lower in terms of occupational prestige. This perception is influenced by societal values that often place higher prestige on jobs requiring advanced education, abstract thought, or high levels of autonomy.

Question 13

In some countries, royalty were the only people that could wear purple. This is a sign of:
A) family lineage.
B) veneration of the leader.
C) how elite manages to enforce its prestige.
D) a law to protect the country's leader.
E) proper etiquette.

Accepted Answer

The exclusivity of purple dye, due to its rarity and high cost of production, allowed the elite to enforce and display their prestige and status above others.

Question 14

According to C. Wright Mills and others, the power elite:
A) share ideologies and values.
B) exist in U.S. but not Canadian society.
C) lack class consciousness.
D) lost much of its power in recent years.
E) do not exist in U.S. society.

Accepted Answer

The power elite, as described by C. Wright Mills, is a small group of people who hold significant power within a society. They often share similar ideologies and values, which helps to unify their approach to maintaining their status and influence over key institutions and decision-making processes. This concept does not imply that the power elite lacks class consciousness or that they have lost power in recent years. Additionally, the existence of a power elite is not limited to the U.S. but can be observed in various societies, including Canada, contrary to options B and E.

Question 15

Ellen is the daughter of a capitalist. Because of her social class position, her field of "eligibles" from which to choose a spouse is:
A) more expansive than those in other classes.
B) similar to the middle class, but not the underclass.
C) much narrower than those in other classes.
D) not affected by social class.
E) the same as those in other classes.

Accepted Answer

Ellen's social class position as the daughter of a capitalist likely limits her field of "eligibles" to those within her own or similar social classes, making her range of potential spouses much narrower than those in other classes. This is due to social norms and expectations that often encourage marrying within one's own social class.

Question 16

The upward or downward movements in social class that family members make from one generation to the next is referred to as _________mobility.
A) familial
B) exchange
C) intragenerational
D) structural
E) intergenerational

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational mobility refers to the changes in social status that occur from one generation to the next within a family, such as a child achieving a higher or lower social class than their parents.

Question 17

Fred owns a Rolex watch and has a yacht moored at the country club's marina. His watch and his yacht are examples of:
A) masculinity.
B) new technologies.
C) status symbols.
D) family heirlooms.
E) cultural curios.

Accepted Answer

Fred's Rolex watch and yacht are considered status symbols because they are luxury items that signify wealth and a high social position.

Question 18

When sociologists use the term wealth, they are referring to:
A) both property owned and income made by the person.
B) only the income made from a person's occupation.
C) only property a person owns.
D) net income.
E) either the property owned or the income made.

Accepted Answer

Wealth in sociology encompasses both property owned and income made by a person, reflecting the total value of an individual's financial resources and assets.

Question 19

The new technologies have proved to be most beneficial for:
A) the working class.
B) people in all social classes.
C) the capitalist and upper middle class.
D) the unemployed.
E) people in lower management positions.

Accepted Answer

New technologies often benefit the capitalist and upper middle class the most, as they have the resources to invest in and capitalize on these advancements, leading to increased productivity and profits.

Question 20

Joseph belongs to a church in which the worship services are spontaneous and loud music is played. Joseph is most likely to be a member of the _________class.
A) upper middle
B) capitalist
C) unreligious
D) middle
E) lower

Accepted Answer

Churches with spontaneous worship services and loud music are often associated with lower socioeconomic classes. This is due to various cultural and social factors, including the expression of religious fervor and community solidarity in ways that resonate with the lived experiences of people in these classes.

Quiz 6: Social Inequality: the Canadian Experience in a Global Context

Sam owns a business that employs 10 employees. According to Erik Wright's model of social class, Sam would be classified a:

Eric Wright revised Marx's concept of social classes by regarding some people as simultaneously occupying more than one class. He termed their positions in the class structure:

From a functionalist perspective, Davis and Moore conclude several reasons for the inevitability of stratification. Which of the following is not one of these reasons?

Although the working class is more liberal on___ issues, this class is more conservative on _ issues.

Celine is an executive in a large corporation. Recently, it was discovered that she had embezzled money from the corporation. Because of her position, it is likely that her crime will be:

In 2004, the average income of the poorest 10 percent of Canadian families was_ compared to that of the richest 10 percent of Canadians, which was____

From the 1930s until now, sociologists have found that the mental health of the lower classes is worse than that of the higher classes. One explanation for these differences is that the poor:

Status_________ refers to a situation in which individuals are ranked high on some dimension of social class and low on other dimensions.

Less than 2 percent of Canadians constitute the super-rich who own_______ percent of corporate stocks and bonds in Canada.

Ronald is a young child living in the inner city. His family is on welfare, as are his grandparents. His chances of getting out of poverty are considered to be 50-50. Based on this information, Ronald and his family are most likely members of the:

Jonathan is a sanitation engineer. His job is to pick up garbage in the city in which he resides. If people were asked to rank his occupation in regards to prestige, Jonathan's occupation would be seen as having:

In some countries, royalty were the only people that could wear purple. This is a sign of:

According to C. Wright Mills and others, the power elite:

Ellen is the daughter of a capitalist. Because of her social class position, her field of "eligibles" from which to choose a spouse is:

The upward or downward movements in social class that family members make from one generation to the next is referred to as _________mobility.

Fred owns a Rolex watch and has a yacht moored at the country club's marina. His watch and his yacht are examples of:

When sociologists use the term wealth, they are referring to:

The new technologies have proved to be most beneficial for:

Joseph belongs to a church in which the worship services are spontaneous and loud music is played. Joseph is most likely to be a member of the _________class.