All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is socioeconomic status (SES) in sociological research?
Answer: A composite measure of social standing using income, education, and occupation. Combines three key dimensions to quantify social position objectively.
Flashcard 2: What is horizontal social mobility?
Answer: Movement to a similar-status position (role change without class change). Same prestige level but different occupation or location.
Flashcard 3: What is the difference between social class and socioeconomic status (SES)?
Answer: Class is a broad group position; SES is a measured rank using key indicators. Class is categorical; SES provides numerical measurement.
Flashcard 4: What is absolute poverty?
Answer: Inability to meet basic needs for survival (food, shelter, clothing, health care). Lacks resources for physical survival regardless of society.
Flashcard 5: What is relative poverty?
Answer: Poverty defined in comparison to societal standards and typical living conditions. Based on social context rather than survival needs.
Flashcard 6: What is social mobility?
Answer: Movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy. Can be upward, downward, or horizontal in direction.
Flashcard 7: What is intergenerational social mobility?
Answer: Change in social position between parents and their children. Compares family generations across time periods.
Flashcard 8: What is intragenerational social mobility?
Answer: Change in social position within an individualâs lifetime. Occurs during one person's career or life course.
Flashcard 9: What is upward social mobility?
Answer: Movement to a higher socioeconomic position. Improves class position through achievement or opportunity.
Flashcard 10: What is downward social mobility?
Answer: Movement to a lower socioeconomic position. Results from job loss, illness, or economic downturns.
Flashcard 11: What is structural mobility?
Answer: Mobility caused by changes in the economy or society (not individual effort alone). Societal shifts create mobility beyond personal control.
Flashcard 12: What is a caste system?
Answer: A closed stratification system with little mobility and ascribed status. Birth determines lifelong position with rigid boundaries.
Flashcard 13: What is a class system?
Answer: An open stratification system with possible mobility based on achieved status. Allows movement through education and effort.
Flashcard 14: What is meritocracy in the context of stratification?
Answer: A system where status is based primarily on individual ability and achievement. Rewards talent and effort rather than inherited privilege.
Flashcard 15: What is social capital?
Answer: Resources gained through social networks, connections, and group membership. Who you know matters for accessing opportunities.
Flashcard 16: What is cultural capital?
Answer: Nonfinancial assets (knowledge, tastes, skills) that promote social mobility. Education and refined tastes enable class advancement.
Flashcard 17: Identify the stratification theory that argues inequality is functional and stabilizing.
Answer: Structural functionalism (DavisâMoore thesis). Views inequality as necessary for societal functioning.
Flashcard 18: Identify the stratification theory that emphasizes power, exploitation, and class conflict.
Answer: Conflict theory (Marxian perspective). Sees stratification as exploitation by dominant classes.
Flashcard 19: What is social stratification?
Answer: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in society. Creates layers of inequality based on resources and power.
Flashcard 20: What is a closed stratification system?
Answer: A system with restricted mobility based on ascribed status. Birth circumstances largely determine life outcomes.
Flashcard 21: What is an open stratification system?
Answer: A system with relatively high mobility based on achieved status. Merit and effort determine social position.
Flashcard 22: What is vertical mobility?
Answer: Upward or downward movement that changes social rank. Results in higher or lower social standing.
Flashcard 23: Which theory argues stratification is driven by exploitation between bourgeoisie and proletariat?
Answer: Marxist conflict theory. Views class struggle as the engine of social change.
Flashcard 24: What is social stratification in a society?
Answer: A hierarchical arrangement of groups with unequal access to resources and power. Creates layers of inequality in society's structure.
Flashcard 25: What is socioeconomic status (SES) as used in MCAT sociology and psychology?
Answer: A composite of social standing based on income, education, and occupation. Combines three key indicators to measure social position.
Flashcard 26: What is social class in sociology, and how does it differ from SES?
Answer: A group sharing similar status and power; broader than the SES composite. Encompasses lifestyle and culture beyond just economic measures.
Flashcard 27: What is horizontal mobility?
Answer: Change in social position without major change in social rank. Like switching jobs at the same level or prestige.
Flashcard 28: What is intragenerational mobility?
Answer: Social class change within a single individualâs lifetime. Occurs when someone changes class during their own life.
Flashcard 29: What is social mobility?
Answer: Movement of individuals or groups between social strata. Can occur upward, downward, or horizontally in society.
Flashcard 30: What is the difference between ascribed status and achieved status?
Answer: Ascribed is assigned at birth; achieved is earned through choices and actions. Birth gives ascribed; effort creates achieved status.