Question 1

Many actors and actresses earn millions each year and display their wealth by living in upscale mansions and driving expensive vehicles. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Conspicuous consumption refers to the display of wealth through the purchase of luxury goods and services, often to impress others or signal social status. The scenario described fits the definition of conspicuous consumption, as the actors and actresses are flaunting their wealth through their luxurious homes and vehicles. The other answer choices do not accurately describe the situation.

Question 2

Julia is a highly paid actress who likes expensive clothing and inexpensive jewelry and reads comic books as well as best-selling books. From this example, it could be said that Julia is a:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Julia is a highly paid actress who...

Question 3

The three dimensions of social stratification are social class, income, and power.

Accepted Answer

The three dimensions of social stratification are class, status, and power. Social class relates to one's economic position, status refers to the social honor or prestige that a particular group is accorded by other members of a society, and power relates to the ability to achieve aims or further the interests one holds even against resistance from others. Income is often a component or consequence of class but is not considered a separate dimension of social stratification.

Question 4

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY The wealthy perpetuate their wealthy by using money and influence to resist taxation that would redistribute wealth. Which of these taxes have been affected by this influence according to the text?

Accepted Answer

The text specifically mentions the "death tax" and "estate tax" as being affected by the wealthy's resistance to taxation that would redistribute wealth. The other taxes (sales tax and luxury tax) are not mentioned in this context.

Question 5

New York trash collectors sometimes earn a higher income than local business owners. This would be an example of status inconsistency.

Accepted Answer

Status inconsistency refers to a situation where an individual has different levels of status across different dimensions of social inequality. In this case, the trash collectors have higher income (a measure of socioeconomic status) than the local business owners, creating a status inconsistency.

Question 6

__________________ coined the term conspicuous consumption, which refers to those of the upper class who use their wealth to demonstrate their status in society.

Accepted Answer

Thorstein Veblen coined the term conspicuous consumption in his book "The Theory of the Leisure Class" in 1899. He argued that the wealthy engage in such consumption not for their intrinsic value, but in order to signal their status and wealth to others.

Question 7

This theorist argued that elite members of society want their social class membership to be obvious to others, and they accomplish this through conspicuous consumption, and lower classes mimic them.

Accepted Answer

Georg Simmel is known for his work on social differentiation and the concept of conspicuous consumption, where elite members of society display their wealth and status, which is then mimicked by lower classes.

Question 8

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the following are ways that women have been disadvantaged by occupational gender segregation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the...

Question 9

A woman helps her elderly neighbor by running weekly errands for her. The neighbor helps her by keeping an eye on her house while she is at work. This is an example of symbolic exchange.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic exchange refers to the exchange of non-tangible benefits or services between individuals or groups, which are not solely based on economic value. In the given scenario, the woman and her elderly neighbor are exchanging favors that are not solely based on monetary value, but are more symbolic in nature. The woman's help with errands is compensated by the neighbor's offer to keep an eye on her house, and vice versa.

Question 10

The caste system, found among the Hindus of India, is primarily based on ___________________ characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The caste system in India is primarily based on ascribed characteristics, such as one's birth into a particular caste, which determines their social status and opportunities in life. This contrasts with achieved characteristics, which are based on individual accomplishments and abilities. Structural mobility and intergenerational mobility refer to the ability to move between social classes, which is limited within the caste system.

Question 11

Which of these arguments about stratification is a structural-functional theory?

Accepted Answer

Structural-functional theory argues that stratification is necessary and serves a purpose in society. In this case, it is argued that stratification ensures that people with the right skills and abilities end up in the positions where they can best contribute to society.

Question 12

Prince William and Prince Harry, sons of Prince Charles, were born into royalty and thus gained instant notoriety. This is an example of which characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Ascription is the characteristic of gaining status or position based on factors such as birth or membership in a certain group, rather than through individual achievement or merit. In this case, Prince William and Prince Harry gained status and notoriety simply by being born into the royal family, making their status an example of ascription.

Question 13

Many celebrities purchase large mansions and expensive vehicles. In addition, they also often purchase designer clothing and wear lavish jewelry. According to Pierre Bourdieu, this is an example of ________________.

Accepted Answer

Pierre Bourdieu's theory of distinction states that individuals use consumption to distinguish themselves from others and signal their social status. Buying expensive items like mansions, vehicles, designer clothing, and jewelry are all ways for celebrities to display their high status and reinforce their distinction from the rest of society. Therefore, the correct answer is C) distinction.

Question 14

Which of the following is associated with the feminization of poverty?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is associated with...

Question 15

According to the ____________________ perspective on stratification, certain occupations, such as airplane pilots and Supreme Court judges, are occupations which require a great deal of education and therefore must be rewarded with higher salaries and extensive benefit packages.

Accepted Answer

The structural/functional perspective views stratification as necessary for the functioning of society and argues that certain occupations must be rewarded with higher salaries and benefits due to the amount of education and skill required for the job. The other perspectives listed do not prioritize education and skill in determining rewards for occupations.

Question 16

Theorists from the _________________ perspective tend to focus on what people do within a stratified structure, such as how they present their authority or lack of authority in their body language.

Accepted Answer

Ethnomethodologists focus on the ways in which people make sense of their social world through their everyday interactions. They are interested in how people use language, gestures, and other forms of communication to create and maintain social order.

Question 17

Which of these arguments does the text present as the reasons that poverty persists?

Accepted Answer

The text presents the argument that poverty persists because it is built into capitalist economies, some groups limit opportunities and resources available to others, and government benefits may not be enough to reduce or eliminate poverty because of lack of support from the public or elected representatives. The text does not support the argument that poverty persists because of laziness or terrible judgment of individuals.

Question 18

Groups from different social classes tend to distinguish themselves by purchasing different fashions in clothing, although lower classes may get imitation items of the latest fashions. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The purchasing of different fashions based on social class is an example of stratified consumption, which refers to how members of different social classes consume goods and services differently. Lower classes may try to imitate higher class fashion choices, but ultimately there is a stratification in terms of what is actually affordable and accessible to each class. Conspicuous consumption refers to the visible display of wealth through the consumption of luxury goods, and cultural omnivores are individuals who consume a diverse range of cultural products regardless of social class.

Question 19

_______________ theorists advocate for narrowing the income gap between the very rich and the very poor.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists focus on the unequal distribution of resources and power within society, and advocate for addressing this inequality through social and political change. Narrowing the income gap between the very rich and the very poor is one way to address this inequality. Structural/functional theorists focus on the roles and functions of social institutions in maintaining stability and order in society, while interaction theorists study how individuals interact with each other in everyday situations. Feminist theorists focus on the experiences and inequalities faced by women and how they intersect with other forms of oppression. While all of these perspectives may also advocate for reducing income inequality, conflict theory is the best fit for this specific question.

Question 20

Which of the following is an advantage of having a great degree of wealth?

Accepted Answer

Having a great degree of wealth allows individuals to invest in stocks and bonds, pass on wealth to future generations, and retire early to enjoy leisure, whereas receiving more scrutiny is not an advantage.

Quiz 8: Social Stratification in the United States