Exam 7: Social Stratification

Many Canadians believe that we live in a meritocracy.Can you give historical and current examples that would challenge this taken-for-granted belief?

In what ways do ascribed statuses continue to limit opportunities for many Canadians?

For her class presentation,Janessa decided to discuss Marx's theory of social change with particular emphasis given to the force that drives it.What will Janessa focus on?

Neo-Marxists such as Eric Olin Wright argue that Marx's ideas about inequality cannot be updated to apply to the late-twentieth century.

Which statement is a criticism of Davis and Moore's theory of stratification?

What do studies of poverty in Canada show?

Critically discuss the following statement: "Social inequality in Canada is not a serious problem and,consequently,the government should not try to do anything about it."

Even though she was born the daughter of a grocer,Margaret Thatcher went on to become the prime minister of England.When describing this achievement,what could you say about the British society?

According to the text,what is the term for growth in white-collar occupations in industrial societies over the past half-century?

According to the text,what lies at the root of capitalism's concept of surplus value?

Madison comes from a poor,working-class family.However,she worked hard,got good grades,and landed a great job.She is now considered middle class.Which term best characterizes the type of stratification system that Madison experienced?

Prince William was born into the British Royal family and was assigned a higher status that could not be taken away.Which term best describes Prince William's status?

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.According to Weber,what term best describes this association's practices?

Alexis is a manager at the local car manufacturing plant.As an engineer she is able to trouble-shoot problems and solve 90 percent of the production slow-down dilemmas on the spot.Whose theory best explains how her education has made Alexis invaluable to the owners of the car plant?

Why does the text argue that social stratification is the cornerstone of sociology? Why are descriptions of social structure that ignore the stratification system inadequate?

In the Catholic Church,ordained priests all start their clerical careers at the same place;however,rising through the ranks is a competitive process based upon achievement.What kind of promotional structure is in place?

Tiger Woods suffered a significant fall in status after his extramarital affair was discovered.He is still among the highest paid athletes,but it took him years to win another tournament.In sociological terms,what does he hope to gain by reclaiming his title as "#1 golfer in the world"?

In 1992,a single and employable adult who was eligible for social assistance in Ontario received 62 percent of the after-tax low-income cutoff (LICO-unofficially known as the "poverty line").In 2012,the same type of person receiving welfare would have received only 41 percent of LICO.Why are assistance levels diminishing? What does the federal and provincial governments need to do to address the number of Canadians living in poverty?

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

According to Gerhard Lenski,how was the evolutionary trend toward ever-increasing inequality reversed?