Question 1

The Davis-Moore thesis assumes that social stratification results in __________-a hierarchy in which all positions are rewarded based on people's ability and credentials.

Accepted Answer

The Davis-Moore thesis posits that social stratification leads to a meritocracy, where positions are rewarded based on people's ability and credentials. This means that individuals who work hard and acquire skills and education are more likely to reach higher positions in society and earn higher salaries.

Question 2

From a __________ perspective,people with economic and political power are able to shape and distribute the rewards,resources,privileges,and opportunities in society for their own benefit.

Accepted Answer

The perspective that suggests people with economic and political power have the ability to shape and distribute resources for their own benefit is the conflict perspective. This perspective views society as composed of groups competing for scarce resources and emphasizes the importance of power and inequality in shaping social relationships.

Question 3

Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation,sociologist Judith Rollins examined rituals of __________ that were often demanded by elite white women of their domestic workers,who were frequently women of color.

Accepted Answer

The word "deference" refers to showing respect and submission to someone else's wishes, which fits the context of the sentence describing rituals demanded by elite white women of their domestic workers. Choice A, detachment, and choice C, disengagement, do not accurately describe the relationship between the elite white women and their domestic workers, and choice D, deviance, does not fit in the context of the sentence.

Question 4

Approximately __________ of those below the official poverty line are white Americans (non-Latino/as).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Approximately __________ of those below the official...

Question 5

__________ are among the most severely disadvantaged persons in the United States with about one-third living below the poverty line.

Accepted Answer

Native Americans are among the most severely disadvantaged persons in the United States with about one-third living below the poverty line. While poverty rates also disproportionately affect other minority groups, such as African Americans and Latino/as, Native Americans often face unique challenges related to their history of colonization and forced assimilation.

Question 6

In 2009,more than __________ million people lived below the official government poverty level of $22,050 for a family of four.

Accepted Answer

In 2009, approximately 43.6 million people were living below the official government poverty level in the United States, which was set at $22,050 for a family of four.

Question 7

The shift from manufacturing to service occupations in the U.S.economy has contributed to:

Accepted Answer

The shift from manufacturing to service occupations has led to the loss of higher-paying positions because many service jobs offer lower wages and fewer benefits than manufacturing jobs.

Question 8

__________ focus on microlevel concerns and usually do not analyze larger structural factors that contribute to inequality and poverty.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists focus on understanding how individuals interact with each other and create meaning in their everyday lives. They tend to focus on microlevel concerns such as how individuals interact in social settings or how they construct their identity through language and communication. Symbolic interactionists usually do not analyze larger structural factors that contribute to inequality and poverty.

Question 9

Social inequality and poverty have both economic and structural sources.According to the text,a major source of poverty is:

Accepted Answer

The text states that "a major source of poverty is the low wages paid for many jobs." This indicates that economic factors, such as low wages, contribute to the prevalence of poverty. The other options offered (unwillingness to work, governmental programs, and overuse of credit cards) are not identified as major sources of poverty in the given context.

Question 10

__________ refers to a reduction in the proficiency needed to perform a specific job that leads to a corresponding reduction in the wages for that job.It has resulted from the introduction of computers and other technology.

Accepted Answer

Job deskilling refers to the reduction in the proficiency needed to perform a specific job due to the introduction of technology or other factors, which can result in a corresponding reduction in wages for that job.

Question 11

__________ poverty exists when people do not have the means to secure the most basic necessities of life.

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a condition where people lack access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. This type of poverty is not relative to the overall standard of living or average income of a society; it exists regardless of the context. In contrast, relative poverty is defined as a condition where people lack the resources to participate fully in the activities and opportunities that are available to others in their society. Official poverty refers to the definition of poverty established by a government or other authority, usually based on income levels or access to resources. Subjective poverty is based on an individual's own perceptions and experiences of poverty.

Question 12

The problems of unemployment,underemployment,and poverty-level wages are even greater for people of color and young people in large urban centers,where the unemployment rate for African Americans is __________ when compared to whites.

Accepted Answer

The unemployment rate for African Americans in large urban centers is often almost double that of whites, reflecting systemic inequalities and barriers to employment opportunities.

Question 13

The primary beneficiaries of social welfare programs are not poor.Some analysts estimate that approximately __________ of all social welfare benefits are paid to people who do not qualify as "poor."

Accepted Answer

According to some analysts, approximately 80 percent of all social welfare benefits are paid to people who do not qualify as "poor." This means that the majority of social welfare programs are not solely benefitting the poor, but also middle- and upper-income individuals or families.

Question 14

According to functionalist sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore:

Accepted Answer

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore argued that in any society, certain positions are more important for the survival and functioning of society, and these positions require specific skills and extensive training. Therefore, these positions must be filled by the most qualified individuals who are highly rewarded for their scarce talent, extensive training, or both. This perspective is known as the "functionalist theory of stratification."

Question 15

According to sociologist Diana Pearce,__________ refers to the trend in which women are disproportionately represented among individuals living in poverty.

Accepted Answer

The term "feminization of poverty" specifically describes the phenomenon of women being overrepresented among those living in poverty. The other answer choices do not accurately describe this trend.

Question 16

__________ poverty exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but are still unable to maintain an average standard of living.

Accepted Answer

Relative poverty is a type of poverty where people are still unable to maintain an average standard of living, despite being able to afford basic necessities. It is different from absolute poverty, which is characterized by an inability to afford basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, and clothing. Official and objective poverty are not types of poverty, but rather refer to ways of measuring poverty.

Question 17

About two-thirds of all adults living in poverty are women.In 2009,single-parent families headed by women had a __________ percent poverty rate as compared with a 5.8 percent poverty rate for two-parent families.

Accepted Answer

According to the information given in the statement, in 2009, single-parent families headed by women had a poverty rate of 29.9 percent, which is the closest match to one of the given options. The other options are either too low or too high.

Question 18

Approximately __________ of white (non-Latino/a) children under age 18 in female-headed households lived below the poverty line,as sharply contrasted with over __________ of Latino/a and African American (black) children.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Approximately __________ of white (non-Latino/a) children under...

Question 19

__________ often has life-threatening consequences,such as when a homeless person freezes to death on a park bench.

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, water, shelter, and clothing. Absolute poverty often results in life-threatening consequences, as seen in the example given of a homeless person freezing to death on a park bench. Subjective poverty refers to a person's perception of their own poverty, while relative poverty refers to being impoverished in comparison to others in the same society. Official poverty refers to the poverty line set by a government to determine eligibility for social programs.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a reason why social inequality may increase in the United States in the twenty?first century?

Accepted Answer

While poverty may increase due to demand for a larger share of the U.S. budget, this does not necessarily mean that social inequality will increase. In fact, an increase in funding for those in poverty could potentially decrease social inequality. The other options (A, B, and D) all describe factors that could contribute to an increase in social inequality.

Quiz 8: Class and Stratification in the United States