Question 1

Why do societies with class systems keep some elements of caste (such as the inheritance of wealth) rather than becoming complete meritocracies?

Accepted Answer

A)  because too many people would be poor if society were based only on merit 
B)  because some caste elements increase productivity 
C)  because a pure meritocracy would eliminate families and other social loyalties that tie a society together 
D)  because some caste elements increase social mobility 
A)  because too many people would be poor if society were based only on merit 
B)  because some caste elements increase productivity 
C)  because a pure meritocracy would eliminate families and other social loyalties that tie a society together 
D)  because some caste elements increase social mobility

Question 2

Social stratification is a concept that refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  specialization in productive work. 
B)  ranking categories of people in a hierarchy. 
C)  the idea that some people are more talented than others. 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  specialization in productive work. 
B)  ranking categories of people in a hierarchy. 
C)  the idea that some people are more talented than others. 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 3

The wealthiest 1 percent of U.S.families (the "super-rich") controls about _____ of the nation's privately held wealth.

Accepted Answer

A)  25 percent 
B)  35 percent 
C)  65 percent 
D)  85 percent 
A)  25 percent 
B)  35 percent 
C)  65 percent 
D)  85 percent

Question 4

Define the concepts "intragenerational mobility" and "intergenerational mobility." Based on research data presented in the CHAPTER, describe patterns of intergenerational mobility for people born to families with various levels of wealth.

Accepted Answer

Intragenerational mobility refers to the

Question 5

The richest 20 percent of U.S.families earn 48 percent of all income, while the bottom 20 percent earn only about 4 percent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Based on what you know about occupational prestige, you would assume that

Accepted Answer

A)  most of the highest-ranked occupations in the United States are dominated by women. 
B)  occupational rankings are similar in all high-income nations. 
C)  white-collar work and blue-collar work have about the same social prestige. 
D)  in the United States, occupation has little to do with social standing. 
A)  most of the highest-ranked occupations in the United States are dominated by women. 
B)  occupational rankings are similar in all high-income nations. 
C)  white-collar work and blue-collar work have about the same social prestige. 
D)  in the United States, occupation has little to do with social standing.

Question 7

In all societies, kinship plays a part in social stratification because

Accepted Answer

A)  children determine their own social position based on their personal talents and efforts. 
B)  parents pass their social position on to their children. 
C)  children usually end up with a social position higher than that of their parents. 
D)  all children begin life with about the same social standing. 
A)  children determine their own social position based on their personal talents and efforts. 
B)  parents pass their social position on to their children. 
C)  children usually end up with a social position higher than that of their parents. 
D)  all children begin life with about the same social standing.

Question 8

Relative poverty

Accepted Answer

A)  is found everywhere. 
B)  is life threatening. 
C)  is not found in the United States. 
D)  is only a problem for minority groups. 
A)  is found everywhere. 
B)  is life threatening. 
C)  is not found in the United States. 
D)  is only a problem for minority groups.

Question 9

To impress her friends, Laura wears an expensive dress to a party.A sociologist might say Laura is engaging in

Accepted Answer

A)  structural social mobility. 
B)  relative deprivation. 
C)  reference group behavior. 
D)  conspicuous consumption. 
A)  structural social mobility. 
B)  relative deprivation. 
C)  reference group behavior. 
D)  conspicuous consumption.

Question 10

The common ideology of a class system states that success and wealth typically result from

Accepted Answer

A)  sheer luck. 
B)  family background. 
C)  flaws in society. 
D)  personal talent and effort. 
A)  sheer luck. 
B)  family background. 
C)  flaws in society. 
D)  personal talent and effort.

Question 11

If you have a job that involves manual labor, you are doing

Accepted Answer

A)  blue-collar work. 
B)  white-collar work. 
C)  service work. 
D)  farming. 
A)  blue-collar work. 
B)  white-collar work. 
C)  service work. 
D)  farming.

Question 12

Social stratification is a matter of not only inequality, but also beliefs about fairness.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The concept of structural social mobility refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  cultural beliefs that justify social stratification. 
B)  change in social position due to people's own efforts. 
C)  change in the social position of many people due to changes in society itself. 
D)  change in a family's social position from one generation to the next. 
A)  cultural beliefs that justify social stratification. 
B)  change in social position due to people's own efforts. 
C)  change in the social position of many people due to changes in society itself. 
D)  change in a family's social position from one generation to the next.

Question 14

Two-thirds of all poor people in the United States are African Americans.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Davis and Moore point out that an egalitarian society

Accepted Answer

A)  could never exist. 
B)  could exist, but only if people are willing to allow anyone to perform any job. 
C)  would be more productive than a stratified society. 
D)  has existed in many societies at various times in history. 
A)  could never exist. 
B)  could exist, but only if people are willing to allow anyone to perform any job. 
C)  would be more productive than a stratified society. 
D)  has existed in many societies at various times in history.

Question 16

A good example of a person in her society's upper-upper class is

Accepted Answer

A)  Nicole Polizzi (Snooki on Jersey Shore). 
B)  Elizabeth II, the queen of England. 
C)  anyone who is part of the "working rich." 
D)  Oprah Winfrey. 
A)  Nicole Polizzi (Snooki on Jersey Shore). 
B)  Elizabeth II, the queen of England. 
C)  anyone who is part of the "working rich." 
D)  Oprah Winfrey.

Question 17

Ideology refers to ideas that support social stratification.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The ending of apartheid in South Africa has led to

Accepted Answer

A)  that society becoming a meritocracy. 
B)  little improvement for millions of poor, black people. 
C)  complete social mixing by people of all races. 
D)  the election of the first white president. 
A)  that society becoming a meritocracy. 
B)  little improvement for millions of poor, black people. 
C)  complete social mixing by people of all races. 
D)  the election of the first white president.

Question 19

The Kuznets curve shows that industrial societies have the greatest social stratification.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

According to Simon Kuznets, in which type of society is the extent of social stratification greatest?

Accepted Answer

A)  hunting and gathering 
B)  horticultural/pastoral 
C)  agrarian 
D)  industrial 
A)  hunting and gathering 
B)  horticultural/pastoral 
C)  agrarian 
D)  industrial

Why do societies with class systems keep some elements of caste (such as the inheritance of wealth) rather than becoming complete meritocracies?

Social stratification is a concept that refers to

The wealthiest 1 percent of U.S.families (the "super-rich") controls about _____ of the nation's privately held wealth.

Define the concepts "intragenerational mobility" and "intergenerational mobility." Based on research data presented in the CHAPTER, describe patterns of intergenerational mobility for people born to families with various levels of wealth.

The richest 20 percent of U.S.families earn 48 percent of all income, while the bottom 20 percent earn only about 4 percent.

Based on what you know about occupational prestige, you would assume that

In all societies, kinship plays a part in social stratification because

Relative poverty

To impress her friends, Laura wears an expensive dress to a party.A sociologist might say Laura is engaging in

The common ideology of a class system states that success and wealth typically result from

If you have a job that involves manual labor, you are doing

Social stratification is a matter of not only inequality, but also beliefs about fairness.

The concept of structural social mobility refers to

Two-thirds of all poor people in the United States are African Americans.

Davis and Moore point out that an egalitarian society

A good example of a person in her society's upper-upper class is

Ideology refers to ideas that support social stratification.

The ending of apartheid in South Africa has led to

The Kuznets curve shows that industrial societies have the greatest social stratification.

According to Simon Kuznets, in which type of society is the extent of social stratification greatest?

Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method

Culture

Socialization

Social Interaction in Everyday Life

Groups and Organizations

Sexuality and Society

Deviance

Global Stratification

Gender Stratification

Race and Ethnicity

Economics and Politics

Family and Religion

Education, Health, and Medicine

Population, Urbanization, and Environment

Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies

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Exam 8: Social Stratification

Why do societies with class systems keep some elements of caste (such as the inheritance of wealth) rather than becoming complete meritocracies?

Social stratification is a concept that refers to

The wealthiest 1 percent of U.S.families (the "super-rich") controls about _____ of the nation's privately held wealth.

Define the concepts "intragenerational mobility" and "intergenerational mobility." Based on research data presented in the CHAPTER, describe patterns of intergenerational mobility for people born to families with various levels of wealth.

The richest 20 percent of U.S.families earn 48 percent of all income, while the bottom 20 percent earn only about 4 percent.

Based on what you know about occupational prestige, you would assume that

In all societies, kinship plays a part in social stratification because

Relative poverty

To impress her friends, Laura wears an expensive dress to a party.A sociologist might say Laura is engaging in

The common ideology of a class system states that success and wealth typically result from

If you have a job that involves manual labor, you are doing

Social stratification is a matter of not only inequality, but also beliefs about fairness.

The concept of structural social mobility refers to

Two-thirds of all poor people in the United States are African Americans.

Davis and Moore point out that an egalitarian society

A good example of a person in her society's upper-upper class is

Ideology refers to ideas that support social stratification.

The ending of apartheid in South Africa has led to

The Kuznets curve shows that industrial societies have the greatest social stratification.

According to Simon Kuznets, in which type of society is the extent of social stratification greatest?

Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method

Culture

Socialization

Social Interaction in Everyday Life

Groups and Organizations

Sexuality and Society

Deviance

Global Stratification

Gender Stratification

Race and Ethnicity

Economics and Politics

Family and Religion

Education, Health, and Medicine

Population, Urbanization, and Environment

Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies

Filters