Power, Privilege, Prestige, and Social Reproduction (10A) - Psych & Soc

What is habitus in Bourdieu's theory of stratification?

Internalized dispositions shaping perceptions, preferences, and behavior. Habitus links social structure to individual action unconsciously.
What is economic capital in Bourdieu's framework?

Material wealth and financial assets that can be converted to power. Money and property directly translate to social influence.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) on the MCAT?

Composite of income, education, and occupational prestige. Combines three key indicators to measure social position comprehensively.
What is habitus in Bourdieu's theory?

Internalized dispositions shaped by social position that guide behavior. Class-based patterns of thinking and acting that feel "natural" to individuals.
What is absolute poverty?

Poverty defined by inability to meet basic survival needs. Lacks minimum resources for food, water, shelter, and health.
What is the hidden curriculum in education?

Implicit norms and values taught by schools beyond formal content. Teaches conformity, competition, and class-based expectations.
Identify the concept: hiring favors applicants referred by insiders, excluding outsiders.

Social capital (network-based advantage). Insider networks create unequal access to opportunities.
What is intergenerational mobility?

Change in social status between parents and their children. Intergenerational mobility measures status changes across family lines, highlighting the persistence or disruption of inequality over time.
What is intragenerational mobility?

Change in social class within a person's lifetime. Tracks individual's class changes from career start to end.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's framework (10A)?

Valued cultural knowledge, tastes, skills, and credentials. Non-economic assets that provide advantages in social interactions.
Which option best indicates prestige rather than power: A) celebrity admiration B) firing employees?

A) Celebrity admiration. Prestige involves respect without control; power involves control.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved: earned; Ascribed: assigned at birth or involuntarily. Achieved requires effort; ascribed is predetermined.
Identify the concept: unequal school funding by neighborhood property taxes maintains class differences.

Social reproduction. Funding disparities perpetuate educational inequality across generations.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's framework?

Nonfinancial assets (knowledge, tastes, skills) that confer advantage. Includes linguistic skills, cultural knowledge, and aesthetic preferences.
What is prestige in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Social honor or respect granted to a person or status. Prestige reflects the esteem associated with social positions, influencing status hierarchies and social interactions in sociological frameworks.
What is privilege in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a social group. Based on group identity like race, gender, or class rather than individual merit.
Identify the concept: hiring is influenced by referrals from current employees' networks.

Social capital. Networks provide job access beyond formal application processes.
Identify the concept: invisible, unacknowledged advantages tied to dominant identity.

Privilege. Benefits accrue without effort or awareness.
What is the conflict theory view of stratification?

Inequality is maintained by elites to preserve power and resources. Dominant groups create systems that benefit themselves.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's theory?

Nonfinancial assets (knowledge, tastes, skills) that confer advantage. Bourdieu showed how culture functions as a form of capital.
What is the meritocracy ideology in stratification as tested on the MCAT?

Belief that success is earned by individual ability and effort. Ignores structural barriers and inherited advantages.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically based on in MCAT sociology?

Income, education level, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to determine social class position.
What is power in a social context (MCAT sociology definition)?

Ability to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Encompasses both formal authority and informal social influence.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's framework?

Valued cultural knowledge, skills, tastes, and credentials. Includes language patterns, artistic preferences, and educational credentials.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically based on?

Education, income, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to determine social position.
What is power in sociology as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

The ability to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Power shapes decisions and resource distribution in social hierarchies.
Identify the concept: elite speech norms and "good taste" are rewarded in interviews.

Cultural capital. Dominant class norms become criteria for success.
What is the difference between social mobility and social immobility?

Mobility is movement in rank; immobility is persistence across ranks. Mobility changes position; immobility maintains same class status.
Identify the concept: higher-status groups define norms that others are judged by.

Cultural hegemony. Dominant culture becomes "common sense," marginalizing alternatives.
Identify the concept: a person is treated as representative of a group and denied individuality.

Stereotyping. Reduces complex individuals to simplified group characteristics.
What is symbolic capital in Bourdieu's framework?

Status and recognition that can be converted into social advantage. Prestige and honor that can be exchanged for material or social benefits.
What is habitus in Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction?

Internalized dispositions shaped by one's social position. These unconscious patterns guide behavior and reproduce class.
Identify the concept: a job has low pay but high respect (for example, clergy).

High prestige with low economic capital. Shows prestige and economic rewards can be independent.
What is a closed stratification system?

System with rigid boundaries and limited social mobility. Birth determines life chances with minimal opportunity for advancement.
What is social capital as used in MCAT sociology (10A)?

Resources gained through social networks, ties, and group membership. Networks provide access to opportunities and information.
Which concept best describes control of institutions and decision-making: power, prestige, or privilege?

Power. Institutional control enables resource allocation and policy-making.
What is the functionalist explanation for social stratification (Davis-Moore)?

Stratification incentivizes filling roles that are difficult or important. Society rewards vital roles with higher status to ensure they're filled.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and status. Mechanisms like education perpetuate class advantages across generations.
What is the class system as a form of stratification?

More open system where position is influenced by achievement and SES. Allows mobility through education and work, though starting point matters.
What is relative mobility?

Mobility compared with others, independent of structural change. Measures individual advancement relative to peers, not overall growth.
What is intergenerational mobility in sociology (10A)?

Change in social position between parents and their children. Compares child's social position to their parents' position.
Identify the term for power based on the ability to punish noncompliance.

Coercive power. Controls behavior through threats of negative consequences or sanctions.
What is prestige as a dimension of social stratification?

Social honor or respect attached to a status or occupation. Distinct from power (control) and wealth (material resources).
What is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Absolute: cannot meet basic needs; Relative: below societal standard of living. Absolute lacks necessities; relative compares to community standards.
What is structural violence in the context of inequality and power?

Systemic harm caused by social structures that limit basic needs. Galtung's term links poverty, racism to preventable suffering.
What is social capital in the context of inequality?

Resources gained through social networks and group memberships. Networks provide information, support, and access to opportunities.
Identify the concept: a manager can hire, fire, and set workplace rules for others.

Power. Power involves direct control over others' actions and resources.
What is the hidden curriculum in education?

Implicit lessons (obedience, norms) that reinforce social inequality. Schools teach compliance and class-based behaviors beyond academics.
What is social reproduction in sociology (10A)?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and social status. Explains how inequality persists across generations through various mechanisms.
What is intersectionality in analyzing privilege and oppression?

Overlapping identities create unique, combined patterns of advantage/disadvantage. Crenshaw's framework shows how race, gender, class interact.
Identify the concept: unequal school funding by property taxes preserves class gaps.

Social reproduction. Wealthy areas fund better schools, perpetuating advantages.
What is social capital in the context of inequality?

Resources gained through social networks and group membership. "Who you know" matters as much as what you know in accessing opportunities.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and advantage. Mechanisms include inheritance, education, and cultural transmission.
Which concept best explains why a prestigious title increases influence even without new resources?

Symbolic capital. Honor and recognition translate into social power.
What is social reproduction in sociology as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and social status. Perpetuates class structure through family resources and opportunities.
What is human capital in stratification research as tested on the MCAT?

Skills and education that increase productivity and economic value. Investment in skills yields economic returns in labor markets.
What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Absolute: basic needs unmet; Relative: below societal standard. Absolute poverty denotes survival-level deprivation, while relative poverty measures disparity against community averages, both key to analyzing inequality.
What is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Absolute: cannot meet basic needs; relative: below societal standard. Absolute is objective deprivation; relative is comparative disadvantage.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's theory?

Valued cultural knowledge, tastes, skills, and credentials. Elite tastes and education function as class markers and barriers.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically composed of in MCAT sociology?

Education, income, and occupational status. These three factors determine one's position in social hierarchy.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and class position. Parents' status predicts children's, perpetuating class structure.
What is privilege in sociology as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Unearned advantages conferred by membership in a favored group. Privilege operates through systemic advantages, not individual merit.
What is social capital?

Resources gained through social networks, trust, and group membership. "Who you know" matters; networks provide access to opportunities.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically based on?

Income, education, and occupational status. These three factors combine to determine one's position in social hierarchy.
What is prestige in sociology?

Social honor or respect attributed to a person, role, or occupation. Differs from power/wealth; based on social esteem and reputation.
What is social stratification in sociology, as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Hierarchical arrangement of groups with unequal access to resources. Creates layers of inequality in society based on resource distribution.
What is human capital as used in stratification research?

Skills and education that increase productivity and labor market value. Investment in self that yields economic returns through employment.
What is intragenerational mobility?

Change in social class within an individual's lifetime. Tracks changes from first job to retirement within one person.
What is economic capital in Bourdieu's framework (10A)?

Material wealth and financial assets that can be invested or spent. Traditional form of capital involving money and property.
What is the "Matthew effect" as applied to education or careers?

Initial advantages compound over time, widening inequality. Named after biblical verse: "to those who have, more will be given."
What is the difference between meritocracy and social reproduction?

Meritocracy rewards merit; social reproduction preserves inequality. One assumes equal opportunity; the other recognizes systemic barriers.
What is the difference between social class and status group in Weberian theory?

Class: economic position; Status group: shared prestige and lifestyle. Weber distinguished economic position from social honor/lifestyle.
What is social power in sociology as tested on the MCAT?

Capacity to influence others or control resources and outcomes. Differs from authority (legitimate) or coercion (force-based).
Identify the concept: unequal school funding preserves class differences across generations.

Social reproduction. Unequal resources perpetuate inequality across generations.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Transmission of social inequality from parents to children. Mechanisms include inheritance, education, and social networks.
What is conspicuous consumption (Veblen)?

Displaying wealth through visible spending to signal status. Buying expensive items primarily to demonstrate economic power.
What is social reproduction?

Intergenerational transmission of social class and inequality. Parents pass advantages/disadvantages to children, maintaining stratification.
Identify the concept: using alumni connections to obtain an internship despite average grades.

Social capital. Network connections provide advantages beyond individual qualifications.
What is intergenerational mobility?

Change in social class between parents and their children. Compares child's status to parent's status.
What is privilege in the context of social stratification?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a dominant group. These benefits exist regardless of individual merit or effort.
What is prestige in social stratification?

Social honor or respect granted to a status or role. Differs from power by being based on admiration rather than control.
What is symbolic interactionism's definition of a status symbol?

A visible indicator used to signal social status to others. Examples include luxury cars, designer clothes, or prestigious addresses.
What is the Matthew effect in education and stratification?

Initial advantages compound over time, widening achievement gaps. Named after biblical verse: "to those who have, more will be given."
What is intergenerational mobility?

Change in social position between parents and their children. Compares child's position to parent's at similar life stage.
What is the functionalist view of stratification (Davis-Moore thesis)?

Stratification allocates rewards to fill important societal roles. Argues inequality motivates talent to pursue difficult roles.
What is privilege in the context of social stratification?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a dominant group. Includes systemic benefits like access, safety, and representation.
What is social mobility?

Movement of individuals or groups within a stratification system. Can be upward, downward, or horizontal in direction.
What is symbolic capital in Bourdieu's framework?

Recognized legitimacy and honor that can be converted into advantage. Prestige and reputation can be exchanged for material benefits.
What is power in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

The ability to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Power operates through relationships and resource control.
What is social capital in sociology (10A)?

Resources and opportunities gained through social networks. "Who you know" matters - connections provide access to opportunities.
Identify the concept: unequal treatment by individuals based on group membership.

Interpersonal discrimination. Direct person-to-person bias in everyday interactions.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's framework?

Valued cultural knowledge, tastes, skills, and credentials. Bourdieu's concept explains how elites maintain advantages.
What is power in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Capacity to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Power shapes behavior through authority, coercion, or resource control.
What is the caste system as a form of stratification?

Closed system where social position is ascribed at birth. Hereditary and unchangeable, often reinforced by religious beliefs.
What is prestige in sociology, as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Social honor or respect granted to a person or status. Differs from power by focusing on social recognition rather than control.
What is vertical social mobility (as opposed to horizontal mobility)?

Movement up or down the social hierarchy. Horizontal is movement within same level (e.g., job change).
What is economic capital in discussions of stratification?

Material wealth and financial assets that can be invested or spent. Unlike other capitals, directly convertible to goods and services.
Identify the mechanism: elite families using networks to secure internships for their children.

Social capital. Network connections provide access to exclusive opportunities.
Which concept best explains why elite norms in schools advantage high-SES students?

Cultural capital. Schools reward dominant cultural knowledge and behaviors.
What is social reproduction in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and status. Families pass advantages/disadvantages to next generations.
What is prestige as a dimension of social stratification?

Social honor or respect attached to a status or role. Differs from power/wealth as it's based on social recognition.
Which concept best explains why referrals from friends help people obtain high-status jobs?

Social capital. Network connections provide job market advantages.
What is privilege in the context of inequality?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a dominant group. Benefits from systemic inequalities without personal achievement.
What is cultural capital as used in MCAT sociology (10A)?

Nonfinancial assets (skills, tastes, credentials) that aid social mobility. Elite tastes and credentials facilitate upward mobility.
What is an open stratification system?

System with more fluid boundaries and greater social mobility. Merit and effort can change one's position, though barriers still exist.
Which concept best explains why inequality persists when schools reward dominant-group norms?

Social reproduction. Institutions favoring dominant norms perpetuate inequality by disadvantaging non-dominant groups, ensuring status transmission across generations.
What is power in sociology, in terms of influencing others and controlling resources?

The ability to influence others and control valued resources. Power operates through both direct control and indirect influence over others' actions.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved: earned; Ascribed: assigned at birth or involuntarily. Achieved requires effort; ascribed is beyond individual control.
Which concept best explains unequal outcomes caused by unequal starting advantages: power, privilege, or prestige?

Privilege. Privilege creates systematic advantages before competition begins.
Identify the term for power derived from a formal position or title.

Legitimate power. Authority derived from recognized roles like manager or elected official.
What is power as used in sociology (MCAT definition)?

The ability to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Encompasses both individual agency and structural position.
Identify the concept: a prestigious title yields deference even without formal authority.

Prestige. Social honor can influence without economic or political power.
What is the meritocracy belief about social outcomes?

Status and rewards are earned mainly through individual effort/ability. Ignores structural barriers and inherited advantages.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction?

Valued cultural knowledge, tastes, and credentials that confer advantage. Elite cultural competencies function as inherited advantages.
What is social stratification?

Structured inequality that ranks people into hierarchical social categories. Creates layers of inequality based on wealth, power, and prestige.
What is functionalism's explanation for stratification (Davis–Moore thesis)?

Stratification incentivizes filling socially important roles. Society rewards difficult/important positions to ensure they're filled.
What is the hidden curriculum in education as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Implicit norms and values taught by schools beyond formal content. Schools teach conformity and class-based behaviors indirectly.
What is power in sociology, as used on the MCAT?

Ability to influence others and control resources despite resistance. Power operates even when others resist, unlike mere influence.
What is social capital in the context of stratification?

Resources gained through social networks and group memberships. Connections provide access to opportunities and resources.
What is prestige in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Social honor or respect a person receives from others. Prestige is socially constructed and varies by cultural context.
What is social reproduction in sociology, regarding persistence of inequality across generations?

Intergenerational transmission of social status and inequality. Parents' advantages become children's starting points, perpetuating inequality.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and class position. Maintains class boundaries across generations through various mechanisms.
What is prestige in sociology as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Social respect or esteem granted to a person, role, or occupation. Prestige reflects societal valuation of positions and achievements.
What is meritocracy as an ideology about status attainment?

The belief that success reflects individual talent and effort. Ignores structural barriers and justifies inequality as deserved outcomes.
What is social mobility as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Movement of individuals or groups within a stratification system. Can be upward, downward, or horizontal in direction.
What is social stratification?

Structured ranking of groups with unequal access to resources. Creates hierarchical layers like upper, middle, and lower classes.
Identify the term for power based on the ability to reward compliance.

Reward power. Motivates behavior through positive incentives like bonuses or recognition.
Identify the concept: a judge's order is followed because it is seen as legitimate.

Authority (legitimate power). Compliance stems from perceived rightfulness, not fear.
What is the Matthew effect in education and inequality research?

Early advantages compound over time, widening later disparities. Named after biblical verse; "rich get richer" phenomenon.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically based on?

Income, education, and occupational status. These three factors combine to determine social position.
What is intragenerational mobility?

Change in social position within an individual's lifetime. Tracks changes from first job to retirement within one person.
What is meritocracy as a stratification ideology?

Belief that rewards reflect individual talent and effort. Ignores structural barriers and inherited advantages.
What is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Absolute: cannot meet basic needs; relative: below societal standard. Absolute uses fixed threshold; relative compares to others.
What is power in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Ability to influence others or control resources, even against resistance. Distinguishes power from mere force by emphasizing control despite opposition.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved is earned; ascribed is assigned at birth or involuntarily. Achieved requires effort; ascribed is beyond individual control.
What is intragenerational mobility?

Change in social status within an individual's lifetime. Intragenerational mobility tracks personal status evolution, illustrating individual agency and structural influences within one lifespan.
What is social mobility?

Movement of individuals or groups between social class positions. Can be upward or downward; measures change in socioeconomic position.
Identify the concept: a student learns to defer to authority and follow schedules at school.

Hidden curriculum. Teaches social norms through implicit institutional practices.
Which concept best explains job opportunities gained through personal connections?

Social capital. Network ties provide insider information and recommendations.
What is prestige in the context of social status?

Social respect or recognition granted to a person or role. Differs from power by being honor-based rather than control-based.
Which concept best fits: unequal outcomes persist because schools reward dominant-group norms?

Social reproduction via cultural capital. Bourdieu's theory: schools perpetuate inequality by valuing elite culture.
What is cultural capital (Bourdieu) in social reproduction?

Valued tastes, skills, and credentials that signal status. Knowledge of "high culture" functions as a form of social currency.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) as a composite measure?

Combined measure of education, income, and occupational prestige. Three factors together predict life outcomes better than any alone.
What is power in sociology, as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Capacity to influence others or control resources despite resistance. Distinguishes power from authority by emphasizing resistance and control.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved: earned; Ascribed: assigned at birth or involuntarily acquired. Achieved requires effort; ascribed is predetermined by circumstances.
Identify the term: unequal rewards for the same work due to group identity.

Institutional discrimination. Systematic bias embedded in organizational practices.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved is earned; ascribed is assigned at birth or involuntarily. Examples: achieved = doctor; ascribed = race or gender.
What is cultural capital in Bourdieu's theory?

Nonfinancial assets (skills, tastes, credentials) that confer social advantage. Elite cultural knowledge and behaviors function as invisible credentials.
Which option best illustrates social reproduction: A) tutoring B) legacy admissions C) random hiring?

B) Legacy admissions. Family connections bypass merit-based admissions, reproducing privilege.
What is credentialism?

Emphasis on degrees as requirements for jobs, regardless of skills. Credentialism prioritizes formal qualifications as gatekeepers, potentially overlooking actual competencies and perpetuating elitism.
What is social stratification?

Structured inequality that ranks groups in a social hierarchy. Creates layers of inequality based on resources and opportunities.
What is the difference between intergenerational and intragenerational mobility?

Inter: across generations; intra: within one person's lifetime. Inter compares parent-child; intra tracks one person's career changes.
Which concept best explains why inequality persists when high-SES parents pass advantages to children?

Social reproduction. Shows how privilege transfers across generations systematically.
What is power as used in social stratification discussions?

Capacity to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Enables dominance through resource control and decision-making authority.
What is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Absolute: basic needs unmet; relative: below societal standard. Absolute uses fixed threshold; relative compares to others.
Which option best reflects cultural capital: A) knowing elite norms B) cash savings C) job title?

A) Knowing elite norms. Cultural knowledge and tastes mark class membership.
What is the hidden curriculum in education?

Unspoken norms and values taught in school that reinforce hierarchy. Teaches conformity, punctuality, and deference to authority beyond academics.
What is human capital in stratification research?

Skills, education, and training that increase productivity and labor market value. Investment in personal abilities that yield economic returns.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) most commonly based on?

Income, education, and occupational status. These three factors combine to determine one's position in social hierarchy.
What is cultural capital (Bourdieu)?

Nonfinancial assets (skills, tastes, credentials) that confer advantage. Includes knowledge, behaviors, and educational credentials.
What is institutional discrimination, as distinct from individual prejudice?

Unequal outcomes produced by policies or practices within institutions. Operates through systems regardless of individual intentions.
What is social capital in the study of stratification?

Resources gained through social networks and group memberships. "It's not what you know, but who you know" exemplifies this.
What is meritocracy, as a claim about how status and rewards are allocated?

The belief that rewards reflect individual ability and effort. Assumes equal opportunity exists and outcomes reflect personal merit.
What is social capital in stratification research?

Resources gained through social networks, ties, and group membership. Networks provide information, support, and access to opportunities.
Which concept best explains how schools reward dominant-class norms and tastes?

Cultural capital. Schools value middle-class behaviors, language, and cultural knowledge.
What is the difference between social mobility and social reproduction?

Mobility is movement between strata; reproduction is persistence of strata. Mobility challenges stratification; reproduction maintains it.
What is social mobility, as used in MCAT sociology (10A)?

Movement of individuals or groups between social strata. Can be upward or downward, measuring social position changes.
What is structural violence in the context of inequality and power?

Systemic harm caused by social structures that limit life chances. Inequality embedded in institutions causes preventable suffering.
What is symbolic interactionism's core focus when analyzing status and prestige?

How meanings and identities are constructed through social interaction. Status emerges from ongoing negotiations in face-to-face encounters.
What is privilege in sociology, as tested on the MCAT (10A)?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a dominant group. Key word is "unearned" - benefits from group membership, not individual merit.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically composed of?

Education, income, and occupational status. These three factors determine one's position in social hierarchy.
Identify the concept: job hiring through friends and contacts despite equal merit.

Social capital (network-based advantage). This exemplifies how networks provide unequal access to opportunities, embodying social capital's role in reproducing advantage.
What is symbolic interactionism's focus when studying status and power?

How meanings and identities are constructed through social interaction. Examines how status symbols are interpreted and performed.
What is the conflict theory view of stratification?

Inequality persists because elites control resources and institutions. Views stratification as exploitation by dominant groups.
What is cultural capital according to Pierre Bourdieu?

Valued cultural knowledge, tastes, and skills that confer advantage. Bourdieu's concept includes education, tastes, and cultural competencies.
Which concept describes a hierarchy based on social honor: power, prestige, or privilege?

Prestige. Social honor creates hierarchies independent of wealth or power.
What is privilege in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a social group. These advantages exist regardless of individual merit or effort.
What is absolute mobility?

Mobility due to structural changes in the economy or society. Everyone moves up when the whole economy expands, creating new opportunities.
What is prestige in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Social honor or respect attached to a status or role. Differs from power by being based on admiration rather than control.
Identify the process: schools sort students into tracks that reproduce class inequality.

Tracking (educational stratification). Academic vs. vocational paths often correlate with students' social class.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) most directly based on in MCAT sociology?

Income, education, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to determine social standing.
What is relative poverty?

Poverty defined compared with others in a society's standard of living. Measured against societal norms, not absolute survival needs.
What is prestige in social stratification?

Social respect or esteem attached to a status, role, or occupation. Unlike power, prestige is based on honor and social recognition.
What is the difference between power and prestige in one sentence?

Power is control over outcomes; prestige is social esteem or respect. Power involves control; prestige involves admiration and honor.
Identify the concept: students learn punctuality and deference to authority through school routines.

Hidden curriculum. Schools socialize behaviors valued by dominant classes.
What is privilege in the context of social stratification?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a higher-status group. Benefits from group membership, not individual merit or effort.
What is symbolic capital in Bourdieu's framework (10A)?

Legitimized status or recognition that confers authority and influence. Prestige that can be converted into other forms of capital.
What is power in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Capacity to influence others and control resources or outcomes. This definition captures the sociological essence of power as the ability to shape behaviors and allocate societal assets, central to understanding hierarchies in MCAT contexts.
What is symbolic interactionism's "status symbols" concept?

Visible markers (goods, dress, speech) that signal social status. Objects and behaviors communicate one's position in social hierarchy.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically based on in MCAT sociology?

Education, income, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to determine one's social standing.
What is cultural capital according to Bourdieu?

Nonfinancial assets (skills, tastes, credentials) that confer advantage. Includes knowledge, language, and behaviors valued by dominant classes.
What is privilege in sociology, in terms of unearned advantages tied to group membership?

Unearned advantages conferred by membership in a dominant group. These benefits persist regardless of individual merit or effort.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Intergenerational transmission of social status and inequality through institutions. Explains how class advantages persist across generations through social systems.
What is authority (legitimate power) in sociology?

Power viewed as rightful or legitimate by those being governed. Legitimacy differentiates authority from coercion or raw power.
What is a caste system in social stratification (10A)?

Closed stratification with minimal social mobility between strata. Birth determines lifelong position with rigid boundaries.
What is conflict theory's central claim about power and stratification?

Inequality is maintained by dominant groups to protect their interests. Power holders actively work to preserve unequal arrangements.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically composed of on the MCAT?

Education, income, and occupation. These factors collectively determine an individual's position in social stratification, affecting access to opportunities and resources.
What is social mobility in stratification studies?

Movement between social strata, within or across generations. Can be upward, downward, or horizontal in direction.
What is intragenerational mobility in sociology (10A)?

Change in social position within an individual's lifetime. Tracks changes from first job to retirement within one person.
Which concept best fits: elite internships are obtained mainly through family connections and networks?

Social capital. Social capital converts relationships into tangible opportunities.
What is social capital?

Resources gained through social networks and relationships. Social capital leverages connections to access opportunities, reinforcing advantages in stratified societies.
Identify the concept: a student knows elite norms of speech and etiquette valued by schools.

Cultural capital. Familiarity with elite cultural elements grants unearned benefits in institutional settings, aligning with Bourdieu's theory of cultural reproduction.
Identify the concept: an applicant gets an interview mainly due to family connections at the firm.

Social capital. Networks convert relationships into tangible opportunities.
Identify the concept: a child's accent and familiarity with elite norms improve teacher evaluations.

Cultural capital. Class-based cultural knowledge affects educational outcomes.
What is intragenerational mobility?

Change in social class within a person's lifetime. Tracks individual's career trajectory.
What is credentialism as a mechanism of stratification?

Using educational credentials to gatekeep jobs and social mobility. Degrees become required even when skills don't justify the requirement.
What is social mobility?

Movement of individuals or groups within a stratification system. Can be upward, downward, or horizontal in direction.
What is a master status?

A status that dominates others and strongly shapes social identity. Overrides other statuses; often stigmatized or highly visible.
Which concept best explains why elite schools favor dominant-class speech and manners?

Cultural capital. Elite culture becomes a barrier to non-elite students.
What is the difference between intergenerational and intragenerational mobility?

Inter: across generations; intra: within one person's lifetime. Inter compares parent-child status; intra tracks career changes.
Identify the concept: a job is respected but has low pay, such as clergy or professor.

High prestige with relatively low economic power. Prestige and economic rewards don't always align in occupations.
What is social power in sociology as tested on the MCAT?

Capacity to influence others and control valued resources. Power shapes social relationships through resource control and influence.
Identify the concept: a job applicant is hired because a parent knows the manager.

Social capital. Network connections provide opportunities beyond merit alone.
Which concept best explains unequal school outcomes due to tutoring and legacy networks?

Social and cultural capital. Both forms of capital provide educational advantages beyond merit.
What is privilege as used in sociological analysis?

Unearned advantages conferred by membership in a dominant group. Often invisible to those who possess it but shapes life outcomes.
Identify the term: unequal outcomes persist despite equal formal rules due to embedded systems.

Structural inequality. Systems produce unequal results despite formal equality.
What is social capital in the study of stratification?

Resources and opportunities gained through social networks and ties. "Who you know" matters; connections provide access to opportunities.
What is intergenerational mobility?

Change in social class from parents to children. Measures whether children achieve different class positions than parents.
What is social reproduction in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and status. Social reproduction explains how societal structures maintain class disparities across generations through institutions like education and family.
What is the poverty trap?

Self-reinforcing cycle where poverty limits opportunities to escape it. Lack of resources prevents accessing education and job opportunities.
What is a class system in social stratification (10A)?

More open stratification with potential for social mobility. Economic achievement allows movement between social positions.
What is social capital in sociology, as a resource tied to networks?

Resources and opportunities gained through social networks and ties. Who you know matters as much as what you know for accessing opportunities.
What is privilege in the context of social inequality?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a dominant social group. Often invisible to those who have it; includes racial, gender, class benefits.
Which concept best describes unearned benefits from group membership: power, prestige, or privilege?

Privilege. Systemic advantages accrue without individual effort or achievement.
What is symbolic interactionism's core idea about status and meaning?

Meaning and identity arise from social interaction and shared symbols. Status isn't fixed; it's negotiated through everyday interactions.
What is intergenerational mobility?

Change in social class between parents and their children. Measures whether children achieve different class than parents.
What is meritocracy?

System where rewards are allocated based on ability and effort rather than birth. Ideally rewards talent over inheritance, but often fails in practice.
What is the difference between wealth and income?

Wealth is accumulated assets; income is flow of earnings over time. Wealth is stock (what you own); income is flow (what you earn).
What is structural violence?

Systemic social arrangements that harm people by preventing needs from being met. Galtung's concept links social structures to physical harm.
What is symbolic interactionism's definition of a status symbol?

A visible marker used to communicate social position. Examples include luxury goods, titles, or behavioral displays.
What is Weber's three-component theory of stratification?

Class, status, and party as distinct sources of social inequality. Economic position, social honor, and political power operate independently.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved is earned; ascribed is assigned at birth or involuntarily. Examples: doctor (achieved) vs. race (ascribed).
What is social class in sociology?

A group sharing similar wealth, occupation, education, and lifestyle. Members share similar life chances and opportunities.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) as used in MCAT sociology?

A composite of income, education, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to measure overall social position.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically based on in MCAT sociology?

Income, education level, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to determine one's position in social hierarchy.
Which term describes preference for people similar to oneself in hiring or networks?

Homophily. "Birds of a feather" principle reinforces social boundaries.
What is intragenerational mobility?

Change in social class within an individual's lifetime. Tracks class changes from first job to retirement within one person.
What is social stratification in sociology?

Hierarchical ranking of groups with unequal access to resources. Creates layers of inequality in society based on differential resource distribution.
Identify the concept: an elite uses norms and institutions to maintain dominance without force.

Hegemony. Gramsci's concept of cultural dominance appearing as natural order.
What is intergenerational mobility?

Change in social class between parents and their children. Compares parent and child social positions across generations.
What is institutional discrimination?

Unequal treatment embedded in institutions' policies or practices. Institutional discrimination perpetuates inequality through systemic biases, independent of individual prejudices.
Which option best describes intersectionality in analyzing privilege and oppression?

Overlapping identities create unique patterns of advantage and disadvantage. Race, class, gender, etc. interact to shape distinct experiences of inequality.
Which concept best explains why unpaid internships advantage upper-class students?

Privilege via differential access to economic capital. Only wealthy students can afford to work without pay.
What is prestige in sociology, in terms of social value and respect?

Social honor or respect granted to a person or group. Prestige differs from power by being voluntarily given rather than imposed.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved: earned; ascribed: assigned at birth or involuntarily. Achieved requires action; ascribed is beyond individual control.
What is social stratification in sociology?

A structured hierarchy of unequal access to resources and status. Creates layers of society with differential access to wealth and power.
What is social stratification in sociology?

Hierarchical ranking of groups with unequal access to resources. Creates layers of society with differential resource distribution.
What is social reproduction in sociology?

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and class position. Maintains existing hierarchies across generations.
What is privilege in the context of stratification?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a dominant group. Based on group identity rather than individual merit or effort.
What is cultural capital?

Nonfinancial assets (knowledge, tastes, skills) that confer advantage. Cultural capital embodies symbolic resources that align with dominant norms, providing edges in educational and professional settings.
What is human capital?

Skills and education that increase productivity and earning potential. Human capital enhances economic value through acquired abilities, directly impacting employability and income in labor markets.
What is power in a social context?

Ability to influence others and control valued resources. Derives from position, relationships, or control over scarce goods.
What is an open-class system?

Stratification system with possible social mobility between classes. Open-class systems allow for achievement-based movement, contrasting with closed systems by enabling changes in socioeconomic position.
What is prestige in sociology?

Social honor or respect granted to a status, role, or occupation. Reflects societal valuation of certain positions over others.
What is tracking in schools, and how is it defined on the MCAT?

Sorting students into different academic paths based on performance. Tracking channels students into stratified educational trajectories, often reproducing socioeconomic inequalities based on early assessments.
What is the hidden curriculum in education?

Implicit norms and values taught in schools that reinforce hierarchy. Schools socialize students into accepting social hierarchies.
What is cultural capital according to Pierre Bourdieu?

Valued cultural knowledge, skills, tastes, and credentials. Includes education, refined tastes, and cultural competencies.
Identify the concept: a high-status job is admired even when it has little authority in an organization.

Prestige. Social honor exists independently of formal power or wealth.
What is power in a social context?

The ability to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Derives from authority, coercion, or control over valued resources.
What is the correspondence principle (Bowles and Gintis)?

Schools socialize students to fit workplace hierarchy, reproducing class inequality. School structure mirrors workplace to prepare compliant workers.
What is structural mobility?

Mobility caused by changes in the economy or occupational structure. Not individual achievement; results from societal shifts like industrialization.
What is privilege in sociology, as tested on the MCAT?

Unearned advantages granted by membership in a social group. Privilege arises from systemic advantages inherent to group affiliations, perpetuating inequality without individual effort.
What is socioeconomic status (SES) typically composed of on the MCAT?

Education, income, and occupational prestige. These three factors combine to determine one's position in social hierarchy.
Which concept best explains why children often enter the same class position as parents?

Social reproduction. Class advantages and disadvantages persist through generations.
Identify the concept: a manager can hire and fire employees but is not widely respected socially.

Power. Authority without prestige shows power-status disconnect.
What is a social norm as it relates to maintaining hierarchy?

Shared rule of behavior that can reinforce existing power structures. Social norms uphold hierarchies by prescribing behaviors that favor those in power, embedding inequality in everyday interactions.
Identify the concept: elite schools reward dominant-class speech and manners as "smart."

Cultural capital. Class-based behaviors are misrecognized as individual merit.
Identify the concept: policies that appear neutral but systematically disadvantage a group.

Institutional (structural) discrimination. Built into organizational practices rather than individual prejudice.
Identify the concept: a job is respected and admired, even without much authority.

Prestige. Prestige involves social honor without necessarily having power.
What is the difference between achieved status and ascribed status?

Achieved is earned; ascribed is assigned at birth or involuntarily. Achieved requires effort; ascribed is beyond individual control.
Which term describes a self-fulfilling belief that justifies inequality as fair?

Just-world hypothesis. Assumes people get what they deserve, legitimizing existing inequalities.

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