Jennifer Pina

SOC 001
April 27, 2014
Social Stratification: What is social stratification? How is social class connected to social
stratification? Summarize the four systems of stratification (provide examples of each). Which
stratification system(s) is likely to e open and!or closed? Which systems reflect ascried and!or
achieved status? "xplain.
#he act of separatin$ or definin$ people into $roups represented y socio%economic
demo$raphics (such as: upper class& middle class& and lower class).
'our systems of stratification: (. Social stratification is a trait of society& not simply a reflection
of individual differences. () classification that is imposed upon you y society& not necessarily
upon your individual traits. "xample: reality #* stars.) +. Social stratification carries over from
$eneration to $eneration. (,-orn with a silver spoon..) /. Social stratification is universal ut
variale. (0ndividuals in a lar$er $roup may or may not fit into their social stratification $roup.)
1. Social stratification involves not 2ust ine3uality ut eliefs as well (society as a whole must
ascrie to these definitions and $roups).
4pen class systems allow for socio%economic moility ased upon merit and achievements:
Systems ( and / are open. #hese are typically social classes.
5losed class systems are ased on ancestry& and are decided y irth: +. )n example are
monarchies.
)scried or achieved status: (& 1. 6eality #* stars& may come from a lower socio%economic
ack$round& ut due to celerity status may cross into a different stratification (7ersey Shore
cast).
8eans of 9roduction: 'or :arl 8arx& what is the means of production and who owns the means
of production (explain and $ive examples)? ;istin$uish amon$ the our$eoisie and the
proletariat. What is their relationship to the means of production? 'inally& descrie and explain
the followin$ terms: class consciousness& dominant ideolo$y and false consciousness.
8arx elieves that that people either own the means of production themselves (the ,rulin$
class.)& or they provide the laor for which thin$s are produced (the ,workin$ class.) (they are
either the shoe shop owner& or the shoe shop employee).#he -our$eoisie (those in ,asolute
power.) would e the owners and employers& and the proletariat the employees or workers.
Jennifer Pina
SOC 001
April 27, 2014
5lass 5onsciousness: #he eliefs and understandin$s of one<s social or economic standin$ in
society& their class structure& and class ideals.
;ominant 0deolo$y: #he values& ideals& and morals shared y the ma2ority of individuals within a
specific society or class system.
'alse 5onsciousness: #he idea that $roups& usiness& and corporations utilize information to
mislead memers of the lower or workin$ class.
Weer=s ;efinitions of 5lass& Status >roup ? 9arty: ;istin$uish amon$ Weer<s usa$e of the
followin$ terms: class& status $roup and party. 9rovide examples of each. 5ontrast Weer and
8arx<s views of social class.
5lass: Social Stratification on the asis of spendin$ haits in the marketplace. "xample: 5redit
Scores.
Status >roup: Social Stratification on the asis of honor& merit& and reli$ion (rather than socio%
economic status). "xample: Honor Societies in colle$e.
9arty: Social Stratification on the asis of $roup affiliations and memerships. "xample:
9olitical 9arties.
5ultural 5apital: How is cultural capital linked to class differences? How is cultural capital
linked to power differences? "xplain. ;iscuss cultural capital in relation to material& social and
cultural resources. How is cultural capital expressed in attire& housin$& vacations& food and sport?
5ultural 5apital are the resources and assets and that individuals have that can have an influence
on their social standin$ and which are not solely economic in idea. "xamples include: education&
physical appearance& reli$ious standin$& and other mannerisms (lan$ua$e and speech). Since
hi$her classes may have more access to many of these tools (education and physical appearance
or dress)& these cultural capitals can affect class standin$s.
5ultural 5apital as explained in:
)ttire: -rand name clothin$& not torn& clean.
Housin$: 8ulti%story house in a crime%free nei$horhood.
*acations: 're3uent trips to tropical destinations.
'ood: "atin$ out fre3uently& fresh and non%processed food.
Sport: )ctively en$a$es in watchin$ sportin$ activities.
Jennifer Pina
SOC 001
April 27, 2014
@ote: 6eview the followin$ terms: relative poverty& asolute poverty& socioeconomic status
(S"S)& presti$e and esteem.
6elative 9overty: ) measure of economic ine3uality: comparin$ the wealth of some to the wealth
of others.
)solute 9overty: ) measure of economic standin$ ased upon a set limit (defined y the World
-ank as A+.BC per day).
Socioeconomic Status (S"S): )n measure of economic and sociolo$ical attriutes comined of a
person=s work experience and of an individual=s or family<s economic and social position in
relation to others& ased on income& education& and occupation.
9resti$e: ) person<s level of honor and respect amon$ others.
"steem: 6espect and admiration.