Question 1

Approximately what percentage of Canadians who experienced poverty during one year are able to bring themselves out of poverty over a two-year period?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Approximately what percentage of Canadians who experienced...

Question 2

What happens when lower-income Canadians spend more of their income on consumption?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What happens when lower-income Canadians spend more...

Question 3

Besides family size, which of the following factors do the Canadian low-income cutoffs consider?

Accepted Answer

The Canadian low-income cutoffs consider the size of the community as one of the factors, in addition to family size, to determine the income threshold below which a family is likely to spend significantly more of its income on necessities than the average family.

Question 4

According to Davis and Moore, what motivates people to undergo long years of education and training?

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore argue that the promise of economic rewards or a large paycheck is a primary motivation for people to undertake prolonged periods of education and training. This is part of their theory on social stratification, which suggests that society must offer greater rewards for positions that require more training and responsibility to motivate individuals to fill these roles.

Question 5

Which of the following categories of Canadians has experienced increasing prevalence of low income since the mid-1990s?

Accepted Answer

Seniors have experienced an increasing prevalence of low income since the mid-1990s, largely due to factors such as insufficient pension income, rising costs of living, and inadequate savings.

Question 6

Jackson has been homeless for 15 years.With regard to income distribution in Canada, what position does Jackson occupy?

Accepted Answer

Jackson's homelessness indicates that he is in a position of extreme poverty, which places him at or near the bottom of the income distribution in Canada.

Question 7

Garrett is interested in working at a large multinational manufacturing company.His uncle knows the family that owns the company, so Garrett asks his uncle to help get him an interview.What is Garrett using in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Garrett is using social capital, which refers to the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively. In this case, Garrett is leveraging his uncle's relationship with the company's owning family to gain an advantage in securing an interview.

Question 8

How do income inequality and wealth inequality in Canada, measured by quintile shares, compare to each other?

Accepted Answer

According to recent data from Statistics Canada, wealth inequality (measured by the share of wealth owned by the top 20% of households) is greater than income inequality (measured by the share of income earned by the top 20% of households). As of 2016, the wealthiest 20% of Canadian households owned more than 67% of total net worth, while the top 20% of earners accounted for just over 48% of total income. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 9

In seventeenth-century Britain, landowners turned cropland into pastures and drove peasants off the land.Which of the following did this change benefit?

Accepted Answer

The change from cropland to pastures benefited capitalists, as it allowed them to raise more livestock and sell wool and meat for profit. The peasants who were driven off the land were negatively impacted by this change, as they lost their source of livelihood and had to find work in other industries or migrate to other areas. The British monarchy and colonialism were not directly impacted by this change.

Question 10

Gina is a talented jazz pianist, but cannot make a living playing music.She works at a tax office full time and only plays for her friends at home.Is piano playing part of Gina's human capital?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Gina is a talented jazz pianist, but...

Question 11

Which of the following types of society is a meritocracy consistent with?

Accepted Answer

A meritocracy is consistent with an achievement-based society, where individuals are rewarded based on their accomplishments rather than their social status or background (as opposed to an ascription-based society). A horizontally based society is one in which individuals have similar levels of power and status, and a cyclically based society is characterized by cycles of power and status that change over time, neither of which is particularly related to a meritocracy.

Question 12

According to critiques of Davis and Moore, why do pools of talent lay unrealized?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to critiques of Davis and Moore,...

Question 13

Sebastian is five years old and lives in a poor single-parent family.In which of the following categories is popular mythology about poverty likely to put him?

Accepted Answer

Popular mythology about poverty often puts young children, especially those living in single-parent families, in the category of the "deserving poor." This is because they are seen as innocent and in need of assistance due to circumstances beyond their control. The other categories (transitory and permanently poor) are often associated with negative stereotypes related to personal responsibility and effort. The undeserving poor are often seen as responsible for their own poverty, through laziness or bad choices.

Question 14

Which of the following sociological explanations of social inequality is Robinson Crusoe most consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore's explanation of social inequality centers on the idea that inequality is necessary for society to function efficiently. This is reflected in Robinson Crusoe's actions as he creates a hierarchical system on the island where he is the sole authority figure and holds power over Friday. He also divides up labor and resources to improve efficiency, which is a central tenet of Davis and Moore's explanation.

Question 15

Which of the following theoretical orientations has the least interest in social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic-interactionists are primarily interested in how individuals interact and give meaning to different aspects of society. They are less focused on analyzing larger structural systems like social stratification.

Question 16

Jocelyn has been brought up to believe that Canadians pay taxes in order to take care of members of society who are not able to care for themselves.What idea do her views represent?

Accepted Answer

Jocelyn's views represent the idea of collective responsibility, where it is believed that society as a whole has a responsibility to take care of those who are unable to care for themselves.

Question 17

Fifty-eight-year-old Maryann lost her job last year and has been unable to find another because employers think she is too old to hire and train.She has no family to assist her and is worried because her meagre savings are nearly depleted.What is the most probable outcome of this situation?

Accepted Answer

Without a source of income and no one to help her financially, Maryann is at risk of becoming homeless as her savings are nearly depleted. While it is important for Maryann to advocate for her situation, organizing a group of ex-employees may not guarantee an immediate solution to her financial troubles. Faking a disability to defraud the government is unethical and illegal. Receiving money from an anonymous benefactor is also not a realistic or reliable solution.

Question 18

What name did Weber give to organizations that seek to impose their will on others?

Accepted Answer

Weber referred to organizations that seek to impose their will on others as parties. Classes refer to social groups based on economic status, status groups refer to social groups based on prestige, and strata refer to social groups based on both economic and prestige factors. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect.

Question 19

Ruth has been to a finishing school where, besides academic subjects, she was taught other skills such as how to speak and walk properly, manners, and public speaking.What has Ruth invested in by learning these skills?

Accepted Answer

Ruth has invested in cultural capital, which refers to non-financial assets that contribute to a person's social mobility and status. Finishing schools typically teach etiquette and refined social skills, which are markers of cultural capital.

Question 20

According to the textbook, what is the main effect of minimum-wage legislation?

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, the main effect of minimum-wage legislation is the creation of a group of working poor, as it sets a wage floor that may be higher than the equilibrium wage in some industries, leading to job losses and decreased hours for low-skilled workers. While minimum-wage legislation may slightly reduce poverty among those who remain employed, it also creates a group of individuals who are unable to find employment or whose hours have been reduced, leading to reduced overall earnings and increased poverty rates among this group. Therefore, option B is the best choice. Options A and D are incorrect, as minimum-wage legislation is unlikely to eradicate poverty or significantly increase motivation to escape poverty. Option C is also incorrect, as while some individuals may be unable to find employment due to a minimum wage, it does not necessarily mean that they will become unemployed or impoverished.

Quiz 8: Social Stratification