SOC 150 exam 2

What are the basic principles of social stratification?

-Its a trait of society not simply a reflection of individual differences -Carries over from generation to generation -Universal but variable -Involves not just inequality but beliefs as well

What did Bourdieu mean by the term social reproduction? Culture capital?

-Means that social class is passed down from one generation to the next and thus remains relatively stable. -Tastes, habits, expectations, skills,knowledge, and other cultural assets that help us gain advantages in society

What do the authors mean when they suggest that stratification is a characteristic of a society rather than a reflection of individual differences

A group as a whole not a certain individual. Always room for individuals to not be apart of the group that is being stratified. Person from poor area can become rich. People can get out of the social class you are born in.

What is gender identity? What does it entail?

A person's own idea of there gender whether man or woman or none.

What is racism and how does it function?

A set of beliefs about the superiority of one racial or ethnic group. Used to justify inequality. Often rooted in the assumption that differences between groups are genetic.

Understand the types of mobilities

Ability to move in social stratification system. Can move up down, sideways, vertical, horizontal ex. Working as waitress then getting degree and becoming professor. Upward mobility.

How is race correlated with health?

Access to resources

What is prejudice, discrimination and institutional discrimination?

An idea about the characteristics of a group. Unequal treatment of individuals because of their social group. Systematic discrimination carried out by social institutions.

Why are female runaways more likely to be reported as missing by their parents?

Because girls are seen as weak and family will think they are abducted but men are strong and can live

What is class consciousness?

Being aware of social class

What is an essentialist perspective? What are the consequences of such a perspective?

Believe gender roles have genetic or biological origin and therefore cannot be changed. Consequence bc your either male or female until death

Why might transgendered individuals' gender be treated as performance and not as natural?

Deviant and they are different from everyone else

Why might gay and lesbian groups be predisposed to believe that homosexuality has a genetic origin?

Discrimination is more difficult to fight against.

What general predictions can sociologists make about a person's life prospects if all that is known is the person's social class?

Education, work, commit crimes or what type, type of family they will have and dynamics and health. pg.196

What is an identity challenge?

Functions to keep somebody in there place. EX. girls need to be feminine but if they are assertive they are a bitch Being white on a piece of paper but not getting benefits of being white because you don't look white

Why are women more likely than men to live in poverty

Gendered gap in wages, the higher proportion of single mothers compared to single fathers, and the increasing cost of child care

What are the types of racial relationships defined in the text?

Genocide, separation, segregation, population transfer, assimilation, pluralism

What is an open system? Closed?

In an open class system, people are ranked by achieved status, whereas in a closed class system, people are ranked by ascribed status.

What is pluralism? Assimilation?

Is a term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities, and their values and practices are accepted by the wider culture provided they are consistent with the laws and values of the wider society. The minority group is absorbed into the mainstream or dominant group, making society more homogeneous

What is homogamy and why is it common?

Marriage between individuals who are, in some culturally important way, similar to each other. Similar life experiences,

The social theorist Anthony Giddens has argued that "social structures are both constituted by human agency, and yet at the same time are the very medium of this constitution." What does he mean by this?

Micro and macro are closely related to each other. We create institutions and try to fix it and forget that we are able to fix it. EX. americans believe they cannot do anything to change society but forget they can because they created it.

How do most sociologists differentiate between sex and gender?

Sex is biological; gender is social

What are the systems of social stratification?

Slavery, Caste, Social Class

What is meant by the social construction of race? What aspects of race support the theory?

Socially constructed because it is not perminant. Social construction of race

What are symbolic and situational ethnicities? Why might some people have no ability to choose an ethnic identity?

Symbolic: relevant on specific occasions and does not significantly impact everyday life Situational: can either be displayed or concealed in situations. ex. Black people are being profiled and can't chose to not be black because on skin color

What role do peers play in gender socialization?

The need to impress others and feel popular in teenage years. Boys become athletic. Girls become physically attractive

What are the levels and defining characteristics of the class system in US

Upper, Upper middle, Middle, Working,Working Poor, Underclass

What are some of the ways that imagery supports the assumptions that differences are innate?

Using images to portray certain race or group as biologically perminance rather than social construct. Makes race biological.

How is gender related to work and income?

Wage gap. Women get paid less then men and wont get the better job because being female.

How is Max Weber's idea of social class different from Karl Marx's?

Weber believed that wealth, power, and prestige could all affect a person's social class

How does gender play out in schools?

pg. 241 Gender stereotypes tasks. Playing with dolls. Guys play sports girls don't. Favor boys more. Praised for being good girl. Boys are praised for being smart