Question 1

A stratification system with a governing elite-that is,few leaders who broadly hold the power in society-is called a(n)________ system.
A) status hierarchy
B) elite-mass dichotomy
C) class
D) caste

Accepted Answer

The term "elite-mass dichotomy" specifically refers to the division of power between a small group of elites and the larger population, making it the best choice for the described system. A status hierarchy may involve different levels of prestige or honor but not necessarily a concentrated amount of power, while a class system may involve multiple groups with varying degrees of power. A caste system is based on inherited social status and does not necessarily involve a governing elite.

Question 2

Nathan is an upper-class man who enjoys a mansion,a pool,and a wealthy lifestyle.Most likely,the distinguishing characteristic of Nathan's class position is his source of income,which is:
A) working in finance.
B) returns on investments,not wages.
C) real estate ownership and management.
D) inheritance.

Accepted Answer

Nathan's enjoyment of a mansion, pool, and wealthy lifestyle suggests that he does not rely on a wage or salary from working. The most likely source of income for someone in his position is returns on investments, indicating wealth from a significant initial sum of money or inheritance. Neither working in finance nor real estate management necessarily lead directly to this level of wealth.

Question 3

Vilfredo Pareto believed in a society in which status and mobility are based on individual attributes and ability,called:
A) meritocracy.
B) intelligence.
C) morals.
D) biology.

Accepted Answer

Vilfredo Pareto believed in a society where individuals are rewarded and promoted based on their individual abilities and talents, which is the concept of meritocracy. This means that people are not judged by their social status, wealth, or family background but rather on their own merits.

Question 4

Liam has only a high school education.His job counselor recommends ________,because it is the fastest-growing job for people with only a high school education.
A) mechanical work
B) secretarial work
C) factory work
D) food preparation

Accepted Answer

According to the statement given, "it is the fastest-growing job for people with only a high school education," which points to a career in food preparation. Therefore, the best choice is option D.

Question 5

In political speeches about the poor,those who are believed to deserve assistance are often termed the:
A) handicapped.
B) mentally challenged.
C) working poor.
D) nonworking poor.

Accepted Answer

The term "working poor" refers to individuals or households who work but still live in poverty. This group is often deemed the most deserving of government assistance as they are actively working to improve their economic situation. The other options, such as the handicapped and mentally challenged, are specific subsets of the population and do not necessarily relate to poverty. The term "nonworking poor" is often stigmatizing and implies that the individual is not contributing to society, which is not necessarily true and can be harmful language.

Question 6

Before Melissa's trip to India,she read a book that said India has four main castes.When she arrived,she asked Veda,an Indian woman,"Which of the four castes does your family belong to?" Veda smiled and corrected Melissa,pointing out that:
A) it is impolite to say the word "caste."
B) over time,the caste system has evolved into thousands of subcastes.
C) the caste system no longer exists.
D) Melissa should have known Veda's caste based on Veda's dress and language.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B because Veda corrected Melissa by telling her that the caste system has evolved into thousands of subcastes. This means that the traditional four caste system has become much more complex. Option A is incorrect because it is not impolite to say the word "caste", it is just not an accurate reflection of the current caste system. Option C is incorrect because while the caste system may not have the same level of influence as in the past, it still exists in many parts of India. Option D is incorrect because it is not appropriate to assume someone's caste based on their dress or language.

Question 7

Which American job sector has greatly increased since the oil crisis of 1973?
A) unionized jobs
B) pink-collar office work
C) factory work
D) low-wage service work

Accepted Answer

The oil crisis of 1973 led to a significant increase in oil prices, which in turn caused a decline in manufacturing jobs and an increase in service sector jobs. Low-wage service work, such as hospitality and retail, saw a significant increase as consumers had less disposable income to spend on non-essential goods and services. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 8

An entire caste in India may use language,education,or religion to shift its status in the hierarchy.Such a process is called:
A) Sanskritization.
B) caste transformation.
C) Brahminization.
D) vertical caste formation.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is called Sanskritization. This refers to the practice where lower castes adopt the customs, rituals, and practices of the upper castes in an attempt to improve their social status. They may do this by adopting upper-caste languages, education, or religion, as mentioned in the question. This term was coined by sociologist M.N. Srinivas to describe the social mobility that occurred in the south Indian region of Mysore. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Options B, C, and D are not appropriate for describing this process.

Question 9

Which social stratification system was favored in feudal Europe and the American South before the Civil War?
A) estate system
B) class system
C) hierarchy system
D) elite-mass hierarchy

Accepted Answer

The estate system was favored in feudal Europe and the American South before the Civil War. In this system, individuals were born into a certain social class or estate, and their status was fixed for life. The estates were typically the nobility, clergy, and commoners, with each having its own rights and duties. The estate system was based on a hierarchical structure with little social mobility, as one's social position was determined at birth.

Question 10

Denise,who comes from a lower-middle-class family,obtained a college degree,interned at a company,worked at that company for many years,and is now its CEO.Denise's experiences support the idea of:
A) the free rider.
B) globalization.
C) conflict class.
D) meritocracy.

Accepted Answer

Denise's experiences support the idea of meritocracy, which is a system where individuals are rewarded based on their abilities and achievements rather than their social status or background. Her success shows that hard work, talent, and dedication can lead to upward social mobility and professional advancement.

Question 11

C.Wright Mills argues that there are three major institutions in the United States today that have the power to make decisions for the masses.What are they?
A) economy,politics,and religion
B) economy,politics,and the military
C) economy,religion,and the military
D) religion,politics,and the military

Accepted Answer

According to C. Wright Mills, the three major institutions in the United States today that have the power to make decisions for the masses are the economy, politics, and the military. These three institutions hold the most power and influence in shaping the policies and decisions that affect the lives of people in the United States. Mills argued that the concentration of power within these institutions could lead to an elite controlling the decisions and direction of the country.

Question 12

Which of the following is a type of social stratification?
A) mobility system
B) status-attainment system
C) proletariat system
D) status hierarchy system

Accepted Answer

A status hierarchy system is a type of social stratification where individuals and groups are ranked based on their social status or prestige. This ranking can be based on a variety of factors, such as occupation, income, education level, and cultural capital. The higher an individual's status, the more power, respect, and resources they may have access to within society.

Question 13

Sometimes individuals seek to assert or increase their status,not just through their occupation but also through:
A) experiencing illness.
B) living in gated communities.
C) denouncing their American citizenship.
D) taking public transportation.

Accepted Answer

Living in gated communities is a common way for individuals to assert or increase their status. These communities provide a sense of exclusivity and luxury, and often come with amenities such as private security and communal spaces for residents to socialize in. The other choices do not typically contribute to an increase in status, and in some cases may actually be seen as reducing status (such as denouncing American citizenship).

Question 14

Indira is a corporate CEO.Max is a janitor at a strip mall.New research on inequality trends from 1990 to 2002 suggests that for every dollar someone like Max earns,someone like Indira earns about:
A) $1.
B) $28.
C) $100.
D) $18,000.

Accepted Answer

According to the research on inequality trends, the earning gap between someone like Max and someone like Indira increased from 1990 to 2002. The study found that for every dollar someone like Max earned, someone like Indira earned $18,000. Therefore, the best answer choice is D.

Question 15

Elliot Essman asserts that America is a(n)________ because the very wealthy do not have much impact on the country in general.
A) elite-class nation
B) middle-class nation
C) working-class nation
D) upper-class nation

Accepted Answer

Elliot Essman believes that the very wealthy do not have much impact on the country in general, which would suggest that America is not an upper-class or elite-class nation. Additionally, he does not argue that America is a working-class nation, so option C can be ruled out. The statement does imply, however, that the middle-class has a significant role in America, making option B the most appropriate answer.

Question 16

What group sells its labor to the bourgeoisie to receive wages?
A) elites
B) working class
C) proletariat
D) bourgeoisie

Accepted Answer

The term proletariat refers to the working class or the group of people who only have their labor to sell to the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production. The proletariat receives wages in exchange for their labor. The elites and bourgeoisie are usually owners of the means of production, while the working class, or proletariat, are the laborers.

Question 17

Although Indian castes historically have been ________,increasing rates of ________ have made classifying children more difficult.
A) endogamous; exogamy
B) rigid; movement
C) fluid; rigidity
D) exogamous; endogamy

Accepted Answer

Indian castes have traditionally practiced endogamy, marrying within the same caste, but increasing rates of exogamy, marrying outside one's caste, have made it more challenging to classify children by caste.

Question 18

Under what system is your societal position related to your position in the economic market?
A) hierarchy
B) class
C) caste
D) estate

Accepted Answer

In a class system, societal position is directly related to one's position in the economic market. In other words, individuals are classified into certain social classes based on their wealth, income, and occupation. This system allows for some degree of social mobility, as individuals can move up or down in class based on their economic achievements. The other options, hierarchy, caste, and estate, do not necessarily have a direct connection to economic status.

Question 19

Each society has a type of social stratification.How does the United States ideologically justify its type of stratification system?
A) The class a person is in has nothing to do with ability; one is born into it.
B) A person is in complete control over the class he or she is in.Hard work (or lack of it)determines class.
C) One's relatives are responsible for one's social class.
D) Luck determines class.

Accepted Answer

The United States ideologically justifies its type of stratification system by promoting the idea of meritocracy, which suggests that a person's social class is determined by their ability and hard work, rather than their family background or other non-merit-based factors. This is reflected in the popular American cultural belief in the "American Dream," which holds that anyone can achieve success and rise to the top through hard work and determination.

Question 20

C.Wright Mills had a negative view of the elite-mass dichotomy.His view fits with the ________ paradigm.
A) symbolic interactionism
B) functionalism
C) conflict
D) social justice

Accepted Answer

Mills' negative view of the elite-mass dichotomy fits with the conflict paradigm, which focuses on the power struggles and inequalities between different social groups. Mills argued that the elite controlled society and that this structure needed to be challenged in order to create a more just society. This critique of power structures and emphasis on social change aligns with the conflict paradigm.

Quiz 7: Stratification

A stratification system with a governing elite-that is,few leaders who broadly hold the power in society-is called a(n) ________ system.

Nathan is an upper-class man who enjoys a mansion,a pool,and a wealthy lifestyle.Most likely,the distinguishing characteristic of Nathan's class position is his source of income,which is:

Vilfredo Pareto believed in a society in which status and mobility are based on individual attributes and ability,called:

Liam has only a high school education.His job counselor recommends ________,because it is the fastest-growing job for people with only a high school education.

In political speeches about the poor,those who are believed to deserve assistance are often termed the:

Before Melissa's trip to India,she read a book that said India has four main castes.When she arrived,she asked Veda,an Indian woman,"Which of the four castes does your family belong to?" Veda smiled and corrected Melissa,pointing out that:

Which American job sector has greatly increased since the oil crisis of 1973?

An entire caste in India may use language,education,or religion to shift its status in the hierarchy.Such a process is called:

Which social stratification system was favored in feudal Europe and the American South before the Civil War?

Denise,who comes from a lower-middle-class family,obtained a college degree,interned at a company,worked at that company for many years,and is now its CEO.Denise's experiences support the idea of:

C.Wright Mills argues that there are three major institutions in the United States today that have the power to make decisions for the masses.What are they?

Which of the following is a type of social stratification?

Sometimes individuals seek to assert or increase their status,not just through their occupation but also through:

Indira is a corporate CEO.Max is a janitor at a strip mall.New research on inequality trends from 1990 to 2002 suggests that for every dollar someone like Max earns,someone like Indira earns about:

Elliot Essman asserts that America is a(n) ________ because the very wealthy do not have much impact on the country in general.

What group sells its labor to the bourgeoisie to receive wages?

Although Indian castes historically have been ,increasing rates of have made classifying children more difficult.

Under what system is your societal position related to your position in the economic market?

Each society has a type of social stratification.How does the United States ideologically justify its type of stratification system?

C.Wright Mills had a negative view of the elite-mass dichotomy.His view fits with the ________ paradigm.