Question 1

What is social mobility? How does intragenerational mobility differ from intergenerational mobility?

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. Social mobility is movement from one social class to another. Intragenerational mobility is movement up or down a social class over one's lifetime. Intergenerational mobility is movement up or down a social class over two or more generations. Intragenerational and intergenerational mobility can be downward or upward.  Please see the section "Social Mobility" for more information.

Question 2

The lower-middle-class members shape the economic and political climate by holding top political positions in the federal government, underwriting thousands of think tanks and research institutes that formulate national policies, and shaping public opinion through the mass media.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

According to world-system theory, the poverty of poor countries is an obstacle to the growth of rich countries.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Define socioeconomic status (SES). Briefly describe the characteristics of the upper class and the middle class in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. Socioeconomic status

Question 5

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an overall ranking of a person's position in society based on income, education, and occupation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Identify the common characteristics of America's poor and briefly describe each of them.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. Both historically and

Question 7

Which of the following most accurately describes those individuals who are classified as working poor?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are chronically unemployed or drift in and out of jobs. 
B)  They are people who work at least 27 weeks a year but whose wages fall below the official poverty level. 
C)  They are people who are persistently poor and seldom employed, residentially segregated, and relatively isolated from the rest of the population with an annual income of USD 12,000 or lesser. 
D)  They include people in nonmanual occupations that require some training beyond high school. 
E)  They consist of skilled and semiskilled laborers, including construction and assembly-line workers, truck drivers, auto mechanics, carpenters, and electricians. 
A)  They are chronically unemployed or drift in and out of jobs. 
B)  They are people who work at least 27 weeks a year but whose wages fall below the official poverty level. 
C)  They are people who are persistently poor and seldom employed, residentially segregated, and relatively isolated from the rest of the population with an annual income of USD 12,000 or lesser. 
D)  They include people in nonmanual occupations that require some training beyond high school. 
E)  They consist of skilled and semiskilled laborers, including construction and assembly-line workers, truck drivers, auto mechanics, carpenters, and electricians.

Question 8

Martha argues that low-income countries are poor because their leaders are corrupt and their strict policies deter foreign direct investment. She believes that such policies act as a barrier for poor countries when competing in global markets. In this case, which of the following theories is Martha most likely to state to support her views in explaining why inequality is universal?

Accepted Answer

A)  World-system theory 
B)  Feminist theory 
C)  Modernization theory 
D)  Dependency theory 
E)  Demographic transition theory 
A)  World-system theory 
B)  Feminist theory 
C)  Modernization theory 
D)  Dependency theory 
E)  Demographic transition theory

Question 9

Identify a similarity between conflict theorists and Melvin Tumin in their opinions of the Davis-Moore thesis.

Accepted Answer

A)  They both believe that economic struggle in societies can be attributed to technology and globalization. 
B)  They both maintain that social stratification is dysfunctional because it hurts individuals and societies. 
C)  They both believe that government policies favor only the rich societies. 
D)  They both maintain that in egalitarian societies the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie. 
E)  They both believe inequality in societies is necessary to motivate people to work hard and to succeed. 
A)  They both believe that economic struggle in societies can be attributed to technology and globalization. 
B)  They both maintain that social stratification is dysfunctional because it hurts individuals and societies. 
C)  They both believe that government policies favor only the rich societies. 
D)  They both maintain that in egalitarian societies the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie. 
E)  They both believe inequality in societies is necessary to motivate people to work hard and to succeed.

Question 10

Identify an accurate statement about intergenerational mobility.

Accepted Answer

A)  It provides little chance for advancement. 
B)  It refers to the passing down of wealth from the older generations to the younger generations. 
C)  It is the difference between the wealth, prestige, and power of the older generations compared with that of the younger generations. 
D)  It is movement up or down a social class over two or more generations. 
E)  It is movement up or down a social class hierarchy over one's lifetime. 
A)  It provides little chance for advancement. 
B)  It refers to the passing down of wealth from the older generations to the younger generations. 
C)  It is the difference between the wealth, prestige, and power of the older generations compared with that of the younger generations. 
D)  It is movement up or down a social class over two or more generations. 
E)  It is movement up or down a social class hierarchy over one's lifetime.

Question 11

Melvin Tumin criticized the David -M oore thesis for overemphasizing the critical role of inheritance.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following terms refers to respect, recognition, or regard attached to social positions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mobility 
B)  Wealth 
C)  Income 
D)  Prestige 
E)  Power 
A)  Mobility 
B)  Wealth 
C)  Income 
D)  Prestige 
E)  Power

Question 13

Identify the social stratification system in which people's positions are based on both birth and achievement.

Accepted Answer

A)  Ostracism 
B)  Petalism 
C)  Slavery system 
D)  Caste system 
E)  Class system 
A)  Ostracism 
B)  Petalism 
C)  Slavery system 
D)  Caste system 
E)  Class system

Question 14

With reference to social stratification, which of the following is a criticism of conflict theorists?

Accepted Answer

A)  They believe that the rich are more hardworking than the poor. 
B)  They exaggerate the existence and effects of economic inequality. 
C)  They believe that social stratification benefits society. 
D)  They tend to ignore structural factors that cause inequalities. 
E)  They tend to ignore the critical influence of inheritance. 
A)  They believe that the rich are more hardworking than the poor. 
B)  They exaggerate the existence and effects of economic inequality. 
C)  They believe that social stratification benefits society. 
D)  They tend to ignore structural factors that cause inequalities. 
E)  They tend to ignore the critical influence of inheritance.

Question 15

In contrast to government programs for older Americans, many programs for poor children have been increased since 1980.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Briefly describe an open stratification system with an example.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. An open stratificatio

Question 17

Which of the following terms refers to the extent to which people have positive experiences and can secure the good things in life because they have economic resources?

Accepted Answer

A)  Life chances 
B)  Life courses 
C)  Life expectancies 
D)  Life spans 
E)  Life extensions 
A)  Life chances 
B)  Life courses 
C)  Life expectancies 
D)  Life spans 
E)  Life extensions

Question 18

Which of the following most accurately defines absolute poverty?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the worldwide inequality patterns that result from differences in wealth, power, and prestige. 
B)  It is not having enough money to afford the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter. 
C)  It refers to the movement up or down a social class over two or more generations. 
D)  It refers to the movement up or down a social class over one's lifetime. 
E)  It refers to a situation in which people own others as property and have almost total control over their lives. 
A)  It is the worldwide inequality patterns that result from differences in wealth, power, and prestige. 
B)  It is not having enough money to afford the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter. 
C)  It refers to the movement up or down a social class over two or more generations. 
D)  It refers to the movement up or down a social class over one's lifetime. 
E)  It refers to a situation in which people own others as property and have almost total control over their lives.

Question 19

Income differs from wealth in that income:

Accepted Answer

A)  includes property, stocks and bonds, and personal possessions. 
B)  is a result of ascribed status. 
C)  remains stable. 
D)  is usually spent on everyday expenses. 
E)  is based on status inconsistency. 
A)  includes property, stocks and bonds, and personal possessions. 
B)  is a result of ascribed status. 
C)  remains stable. 
D)  is usually spent on everyday expenses. 
E)  is based on status inconsistency.

Question 20

Describe the structural factors that affect social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. Macro-level variables

What is social mobility? How does intragenerational mobility differ from intergenerational mobility?

The lower-middle-class members shape the economic and political climate by holding top political positions in the federal government, underwriting thousands of think tanks and research institutes that formulate national policies, and shaping public opinion through the mass media.

According to world-system theory, the poverty of poor countries is an obstacle to the growth of rich countries.

Define socioeconomic status (SES). Briefly describe the characteristics of the upper class and the middle class in the United States.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an overall ranking of a person's position in society based on income, education, and occupation.

Identify the common characteristics of America's poor and briefly describe each of them.

Which of the following most accurately describes those individuals who are classified as working poor?

Identify a similarity between conflict theorists and Melvin Tumin in their opinions of the Davis-Moore thesis.

Identify an accurate statement about intergenerational mobility.

Melvin Tumin criticized the David -M oore thesis for overemphasizing the critical role of inheritance.

Which of the following terms refers to respect, recognition, or regard attached to social positions?

Identify the social stratification system in which people's positions are based on both birth and achievement.

With reference to social stratification, which of the following is a criticism of conflict theorists?

In contrast to government programs for older Americans, many programs for poor children have been increased since 1980.

Briefly describe an open stratification system with an example.

Which of the following terms refers to the extent to which people have positive experiences and can secure the good things in life because they have economic resources?

Which of the following most accurately defines absolute poverty?

Income differs from wealth in that income:

Describe the structural factors that affect social mobility.

Thinking Like a Sociologist

Examining Our Social World

Culture

Socialization

Social Interaction and Social Structure

Social Groups, Organizations, and Social Institutions

Deviance, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System

Gender and Sexuality

Race and Ethnicity

The Economy and Politics

Families and Aging

Education and Religion

Health and Medicine

Population, Urbanization, and the Environment

Social Change: Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Technology

Filters

Exam 8: Social Stratification: United States and Global

What is social mobility? How does intragenerational mobility differ from intergenerational mobility?

The lower-middle-class members shape the economic and political climate by holding top political positions in the federal government, underwriting thousands of think tanks and research institutes that formulate national policies, and shaping public opinion through the mass media.

According to world-system theory, the poverty of poor countries is an obstacle to the growth of rich countries.

Define socioeconomic status (SES). Briefly describe the characteristics of the upper class and the middle class in the United States.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an overall ranking of a person's position in society based on income, education, and occupation.

Identify the common characteristics of America's poor and briefly describe each of them.

Which of the following most accurately describes those individuals who are classified as working poor?

Identify a similarity between conflict theorists and Melvin Tumin in their opinions of the Davis-Moore thesis.

Identify an accurate statement about intergenerational mobility.

Melvin Tumin criticized the David -M oore thesis for overemphasizing the critical role of inheritance.

Which of the following terms refers to respect, recognition, or regard attached to social positions?

Identify the social stratification system in which people's positions are based on both birth and achievement.

With reference to social stratification, which of the following is a criticism of conflict theorists?

In contrast to government programs for older Americans, many programs for poor children have been increased since 1980.

Briefly describe an open stratification system with an example.

Which of the following terms refers to the extent to which people have positive experiences and can secure the good things in life because they have economic resources?

Which of the following most accurately defines absolute poverty?

Income differs from wealth in that income:

Describe the structural factors that affect social mobility.

Thinking Like a Sociologist

Examining Our Social World

Culture

Socialization

Social Interaction and Social Structure

Social Groups, Organizations, and Social Institutions

Deviance, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System

Gender and Sexuality

Race and Ethnicity

The Economy and Politics

Families and Aging

Education and Religion

Health and Medicine

Population, Urbanization, and the Environment

Social Change: Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Technology

Filters