Power, Privilege, Prestige, and Social Reproduction (10A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations

Structured inequality that ranks groups in a social hierarchy. Creates layers of inequality based on resources and opportunities.

Movement of individuals or groups between social class positions. Can be upward or downward; measures change in socioeconomic position.

Social reproduction via cultural capital. Bourdieu's theory: schools perpetuate inequality by valuing elite culture.

Movement of individuals or groups between social strata. Can be upward or downward, measuring social position changes.

Stereotyping. Reduces complex individuals to simplified group characteristics.

How meanings and identities are constructed through social interaction. Examines how status symbols are interpreted and performed.

Stratification allocates rewards to fill important societal roles. Argues inequality motivates talent to pursue difficult roles.

Class, status, and party as distinct sources of social inequality. Economic position, social honor, and political power operate independently.

The ability to influence others and control resources or outcomes. Power shapes decisions and resource distribution in social hierarchies.

Nonfinancial assets (skills, tastes, credentials) that aid social mobility. Elite tastes and credentials facilitate upward mobility.

Implicit norms and values taught by schools beyond formal content. Schools teach conformity and class-based behaviors indirectly.

Belief that success is earned by individual ability and effort. Ignores structural barriers and inherited advantages.

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

Inter: across generations; intra: within one person’s lifetime. Inter compares parent-child status; intra tracks career changes.

Social reproduction. Funding disparities perpetuate educational inequality across generations.

Prestige. Social honor exists independently of formal power or wealth.

Power. Authority without prestige shows power-status disconnect.

Social capital. Networks convert relationships into tangible opportunities.

Power. Institutional control enables resource allocation and policy-making.

Prestige. Social honor creates hierarchies independent of wealth or power.

Power is control over outcomes; prestige is social esteem or respect. Power involves control; prestige involves admiration and honor.

Intergenerational transmission of social inequality and social status. Perpetuates class structure through family resources and opportunities.

Unearned advantages conferred by membership in a favored group. Privilege operates through systemic advantages, not individual merit.

Social respect or esteem granted to a person, role, or occupation. Prestige reflects societal valuation of positions and achievements.

Privilege. Systemic advantages accrue without individual effort or achievement.

Education, income, and occupational status. These three factors determine one's position in social hierarchy.

Resources gained through social networks, ties, and group membership. Networks provide access to opportunities and information.

Skills and education that increase productivity and economic value. Investment in skills yields economic returns in labor markets.

Change in social class within an individual’s lifetime. Tracks class changes from first job to retirement within one person.