Chapter 12: Social Stratification

Social mobility

A change in position within the social hierarchy. Movement of individuals or groups from one position in a society's stratification system to another. The movement between different positions within a system of social stratification in any given society

Social class

A division of a society based on social and economic status. A group of people with similar backgrounds, incomes, and ways of living. A group of people in a society who are considered nearly equal in status or community esteem, who regularly socialize among themselves both formally and informally, and who share behavioral norms

Absolute poverty

A lack of means/resources to afford basic life necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, water...

Social exclusion

A sense of powerlessness when individuals feel alienated from society. The outcome of multiple deprivations that prevent individuals or groups from participating fully in the economic, social, and political life of the society in which they live. Negative impact of poverty in which low SES individuals are excluded from mainstream society & social benefits. They may also resort to crimes/rebel to meet their basic needs.

Poverty

A socioeconomic condition of low resource availability; in the United States, the poverty line is determined by the government's calculation of the minimum income requirements for families to acquire the minimum necessities of life.

Ascribed Status

A status into which one is born; involuntary status. A social position assigned to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics. A position an individual either inherits at birth or receives involuntarily later in life

Structural poverty

Based on the concept of "holes" in the structure of society rather than poverty due to the actions of the individual. Theory that poverty is due to inadequacies in societal and economic structure. Characterized by single-parent families, low levels of education, high infant mortality rates, and low social mobility

Morbidity

Burden or degree of illness associated with a given disease. Incidence of a specific notifiable disease

Power

Capacity to influence people through real or perceived rewards & punishments. It often depends on the unequal distribution of valued resources. Power differentials create social inequality

Intergenerational mobility

Changes in social status between different generations within the same family. Changes in the social position of children relative to their parents. Movement up or down a social stratification hierarchy from one generation to another

Intragenerational mobility

Changes in someone's social mobility throughout the course of his or her lifetime. Changes in social position within a person's adult life

Class consciousness

Marx's term for awareness of a common identity based on one's position in the means of production. A belief that you are a member of an economic group whose interests are opposed to people in other such groups Organization of the working class around shared goals & recognition of a need for collective political action.

Social reproduction

Passing on of social inequality (especially poverty) from one generation to the next. The phenomenon whereby social and class relations of prestige or lack of prestige are passed from one generation to the next

Relative poverty

Poverty defined according to the living standards of the majority in any given society. A measurement of poverty based on a percentage of the median income in a given location

Marxist Theory

Proletariat: "have-nots" Bourgeoisie: "haves" the ideology espoused by Karl Marx which holds that government is a reflection of economic forces, primarily ownership of the means of production A theory that government is merely a reflection of underlying economic forces. According to K. Marx, the proletariat could overthrow the bourgeoisie as well as the entire capitalist economy by developing class consciousness.

Mortality

Refers to deaths caused by a given disease

Anomie

State of normlessness. A social condition in which norms are weak, conflicting, or absent. A condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals. This evolves from conflict of belief systems and causes breakdown of social bonds between an individual and the community.

Social capital

The investment people make in their society in return for economic or collective rewards. Social networks, either situational or positional, are one of the most powerful forms of social capital & can be achieved through establishing strong & weak social ties. The networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.

Incidence

The number or rate of NEW cases of a particular condition (disease) per population AT-RISK during a specific time. Ex: New cases per 1000 at-risk people per year.

Prevalence

The number or rate of cases of a particular condition (disease) per population during a specific time. Ex: cases per 1000 people per year.

Prestige

The respect and admiration that an occupation holds in a society. A high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.

Spatial inequality

Unequal distribution of wealth or resources in a geographic area, so that some places are richer than others. Unequal access to resources and variable quantity of life within a population or geographical distribution. Can be affected by income, unemployment, and unequal access to resources. Influences health by affecting access to healthcare

Second sickness

exacerbation of health outcomes caused by social injustice

Meritocracy

social stratification based on personal merit. A system in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement

Socioeconomic status

status in society based on level of education, income, and occupational prestige. Depends on ascribed status & achieved status

Intersectionality

the compounding of disadvantage seen in individuals who belong to more than one oppressed group

Globalization

the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

Gentrification

the restoration of rundown urban areas by the middle class (resulting in the displacement of lower-income people)

Environmental injustice

the unequal distribution of environmental hazards based on racial or socioeconomic status