Sociology Final Exam
How do we define ideology?
An ideology is a set of shared beliefs that explains the social work and guides people's actions. They can mask the privilege of the dominant group in a society.
What are the contributors to the racial wealth gap, identified by Shapiro?
-Homeownership: White has 28.4% more; this is the biggest thing that makes up the gap -Income: $1 for white families; .69 for black families in the past year -College Education: minorities attend and graduate from college in lower rates than whites -Inheritance: allows white families to contribute to their wealth; each converted dollar is .91 for white families and .21 in black families -Unemployment: can't acquire wealth when unemployed
What are the characteristics of the upper class? Middle class? Lower and working class? The poor?
-UPPER: 1%. Wealthiest people, possess most of the country's wealth. -MIDDLE: 30%. white collar workers. has a broad range of incomes. -LOWER-MIDDLE: 30%. working class. blue collar. most do not have college degrees. -LOWER: 20%. poor and illiterate.
What are the negative impacts on the consumer culture on children?
Hill argues that the negative impacts that consumer culture have on children are health related issues and identity development issues. The emergence of the tween stage have allowed children to be consumers. The life stage of children is shrinking - media and technology do not allow for the separation of adults and children.
What is the difference between income and wealth?
Income: the amount of money a person is bringing in over a period of time Wealth: the monetary value of all stocks and assets
According to Kamp, how has the American Dream changed over time?
Origionally, the American Dream revolved around individualistic goals. In the 1930's, Adams wrote the first American Dream definition in the Epic of America. He said that "the American Dream is that of a better, richer, and happier life for all citizens". The American Dream reached new heights of achievements through the wartime boom of the 40's and 50's. Consumerism becomes a main component of the American Dream. Now, the American Dream seems unattainable because of the high standards of living.
branding allows for what two things to be intertwined?
identity and lifestyle
What is the Gini Index?
a measure of the nation's income distribution. based on a scale of 0 to 100. 0 is perfect equality, 100 is total inequality.
what is the most controversial aspect in consumer culture?
children in consumer culture
what is a value?
collective conceptions about what is considered good and desirable. Values help guide our everyday behavior and way of life. Our core values in America shape our lives.
what was the first material aspect of the american dream?
social security
what is meritocracy?
the dominant ideology involving the widely shared belief that all people have an equal chance of succeeding economically based on their hard work and skills.