Exam 6: Social Stratification

Davis and Moore would argue that doctors, plumbers, construction workers, domestic workers, and lawyers are all necessary in a functioning society. Which necessary feature found in all societies do they believe that these many professions point to?

The workers in a shoe factory were tired of the long hours, poor working conditions, and low pay. They demanded that the situation improve and stopped working as a demonstration of discontent to the owners. Which of the following would Marx argue is the best solution to address the situation?

A female baby is born adjacent to a garbage dump outside Manila, in the Philippines. Her parents are squatters and scavenge in the dump earning pennies a day. With respect to this baby's prospects in life, what term is used by sociologists to describe her potential?

What is a general consequence of rank within a social stratification system?

Compared to most industrialized countries, Canada spends more on attempts to reduce poverty.

Ivan's family owns a chain of grocery stores. They live in a big house in a wealthy neighbourhood near Ivan's private school. Ivan is a member of the soccer team, takes piano lessons on Tuesdays, and joined the math club. What would Weber argue is Ivan's biggest advantage in life?

According to the text, which term identifies persistent patterns of social inequality, perpetuated by the distribution of wealth, power, and prestige passed from one generation to the next?

Why is class-consciousness an important social psychological component of Marx's theory?

Which of the following is taken into consideration when calculating the low-income cutoff in Canada?

A young woman works as a security guard for several years to pay her way through university. Then she starts a new career as a software analyst. Which of the following has she experienced?

Are social classes disappearing, and has class become a useless concept? Assess your own class position or that of your family as you give your answer to the above questions.

To be a social worker in Canada, a person must be a graduate of a school accredited by the social work association, complete the association's written examination, and maintain membership in the association. What term, introduced by Weber, best describes this association's practices?

Why did Max Weber maintain that social stratification is multidimensional?

Nafiza, the manager at a plastics plant, received safety complaints from the workers regarding a new procedure that uses toxic materials. Nafiza understood why the workers might be concerned and agreed to raise the issue with management, but she insisted that they continue their work in the meantime. She knows the plant owner is trying to increase productivity so the company can compete on the global stage. According to Lenski, in this situation, what is Nafiza's primary personal dilemma?

Keith Nicholson, a Calgary resident, has worked all his life at low-paying jobs. Until recently, he lived in housing for low-income earners, but the government sold his housing development to a private real-estate company and the new owners raised the rent. Now Keith lives on the street and in shelters. Which term best classifies Keith's kind of poverty?

Sarah lives on social assistance. She cannot afford to pay for her children to participate in extracurricular sports or music lessons. She worries that their chances in life will be severely limited. Which of the following terms best describes Sarah's economic situation?