Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 7

Social Stratification

The division of society into groups arranged in a social hierarchy.

Social Inequality

The unequal distribution of wealth, power, or prestige among members of a society

Slavery

The most extreme form of social stratification, based on the legal ownership of people.

Caste system

A form of social stratification in which status is determined by one's family history and background and cannot be changed.

Apartheid

The system of segregation of racial and ethnic groups that was legal in South Africa between 1948 and 1991

Social class

A system of stratification based on access to such resources as wealth, property, power, and prestige.

Socioeconomic status (SES)

A measure of an individual's place within a social class system; often used interchangeably with "class

Upper class

A largely self-sustaining group of the wealthiest people in a class system; in the United States, they constitute about 1 percent of the population and posses most of the wealth of the country.

Upper-middle class

Mostly professionals and managers who enjoy considerable financial stability, they constitute about 14 percent of the U.S. population.

Middle class

Composed primarily of "white collar" workers with a broad range of incomes; they constitute about 30% of the U.S. population.

White collar

A description characterizing workers and skilled laborers in technical and lower-management jobs.

Lower-middle class

A.K.A. the working class, this class is made up of mostly "blue collar" workers who are less likely to have a college degree; they constitute 30% of the U.S. population.

Working poor

Poorly educated workers who work full-time but remain below the poverty line; they constitute about 20% of the U.S. population.

Blue collar

A description characterizing workers who perform manual labor.

Underclass

The poorest Americans who are chronically unemployed and may depend of public or private assistance; they constitute about 5% of the U.S. population.

Status Inconsistency

A situation in which there are serious differences between the different elements of an individual's socioeconomic status.

Feudal System

A system of social stratification based on a hereditary nobility who were responsible for and served by a lower stratum of forced laborers called serfs.

Wealth

A measure of net worth that includes income, property, and other assets.

Prestige

The social honor people are given because of their membership in well-regarded social groups.

Social reproduction

The tendency of social classes to remain relatively stable as social class status is passed down from one generation to the next.

Cultural capital

The tastes, habits, expectations, skills, knowledge, and other cultural dispositions that help us gain advantages in society.

Everyday class consciousness

Awareness of one's own social status and that of others

Social mobility

The movement of individuals or groups within the hierarchical system of social classes.

Closed system

A social system with very little opportunity to move from one class to another.

Open system

A social system with ample opportunities to move from one class to another.

Intergenerational mobility

Movement between social classes that occurs from one generation to the next.

Horizontal social mobility

The occupational movement of individuals or groups within a social class.

Vertical social mobility

The movement between different class statuses, often called either upward mobility or downward mobility.

Structural mobility

Changes in the social status of large numbers of people due to the structural changes in society.

Relative deprivation

A relative measure of poverty based on the standard of living in a particular society.

Absolute deprivation

An objective measure of poverty, defined by the inability to meet minimal standards for food, shelter, clothing, or health care.

Homogamy

Choosing romantic partners who are similar to us in terms of class, race, education, religion, and other social group membership.

Heterogamy

Choosing romantic partners who are dissimilar to us in terms of class, race, education, religion, and other social group membership.

Hypergamy

Marrying "up" in the social class hierarchy.

Hypogamy

Marrying "down" in the social class hierarchy.

Digital divide

The experience of unequal access to computer or internet technology, both globally and within the United States.

Culture of poverty

Entrenched attitudes that can develop among poor communities and lead the poor to accept their fate rather than attempt to improve their lot.

Just-world hypothesis

Argues that people who have a deep need to see the world as orderly, predictable, and fair, which creates a tendency to view victims of social injustice as deserving of their fates.

Residential segregation

The geographical separation of the poor from the rest of the population.

Disenfranchisement

The removal of the rights of citizenship through economic, political, or legal means.

Meritocracy

A system in which rewards are distributed based on merit.

Simplicity Movement

A loosely knit movement that opposes consumerism and encourages people to work less, earn less, and spend less, in accordance with nonmaterialistic values.