Question 1

Occupations such as medical technicians, teachers, and nurses pertain to the ____________ , which makes up an estimated 30 percent of the U.S. population.

Accepted Answer

These occupations are typically associated with the middle class, which makes up a significant portion of the U.S. population. The upper class and upper-upper class generally have different occupations and levels of wealth. The upper-middle class may include some of these occupations, but it is a narrower segment of the population.

Question 2

About 13 percent of the U.S. population lives from just above to just below the poverty line. These people typically hold unskilled jobs, seasonal migrant jobs in agriculture, and lower-paid factory and service jobs and are termed the __________.

Accepted Answer

The term "working poor" specifically refers to those individuals and families who have jobs but still live below the poverty line. This description matches the characteristics listed in the question, such as holding unskilled jobs and lower-paid factory and service jobs. The other options do not adequately describe this particular group of individuals.

Question 3

According to the social class model developed by Gilbert and Kahl, and based on the theory of Weber, the upper (capitalist) class of the United States includes about ____________ of the population.

Accepted Answer

According to Gilbert and Kahl's social class model based on Weber's theory, the upper (capitalist) class in the United States includes approximately 1 percent of the population. This class is characterized by high levels of wealth, control over major corporations and financial institutions, and significant political influence.

Question 4

Wealthy and successful sports figures such as LeBron James or Venus Williams would most accurately be placed in which social class?

Accepted Answer

Wealthy and successful sports figures like LeBron James or Venus Williams are typically considered part of the lower-upper class due to their significant earnings and public visibility, but they do not usually come from old money or established elite families, which is characteristic of the upper-upper class.

Question 5

The dimension of Weber's system of stratification that helps determine one's class consists of the respect or regard that a person is given by others and is called____________ .

Accepted Answer

The dimension of Weber's system of stratification that helps determine one's class based on the respect or regard given to an individual by others is called prestige. Wealth refers to the accumulation of economic resources, power refers to the ability to achieve one's goals despite opposition from others, and status refers to the relative position or standing of an individual within a society based on various criteria, such as education, occupation, and income.

Question 6

Social critic and journalist Barbara Ehrenreich demonstrated that people in the ____________ use strategies like help from relatives and continually changing residences in order to survive.

Accepted Answer

Barbara Ehrenreich, in her book "Nickel and Dimed," explores the struggles of the working poor, demonstrating how they use strategies such as help from relatives and continually changing residences to survive.

Question 7

According to sociologist Max Weber's system of stratification____________ , is the ability of people or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber's system of stratification includes three dimensions: wealth, power, and status. Power refers to the ability of individuals or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others, making it the correct answer. Wealth refers to the accumulation of economic resources, status refers to social honor or prestige, and prestige refers to the recognition received from others.

Question 8

Weber called the class consisting of skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled workers the____________ .

Accepted Answer

Weber referred to this class as the "working class" because they were primarily employed in manual labor jobs and did not hold significant amounts of wealth or power in society. The other options (entrepreneurial, upper, and middle classes) all refer to groups with higher levels of economic and/or social status.

Question 9

An estimated 30 percent of the U.S. population is ____________ , which includes occupations such as semiskilled machine operators in factories and people in the service sector, such as clerks and salespeople.

Accepted Answer

The occupations listed in the description fall under the working class category, making option B the best choice. The other options, such as upper-middle class and middle class, denote higher or more stable economic positions than what is described in the question. The option of working poor may also be inaccurate, as there is no information indicating that the individuals in question fall below the poverty line.

Question 10

In the model of American social classes based on Weber's theory, the____________  is made up of prominent families that have held great wealth for several generations.

Accepted Answer

According to Weber's theory, the upper-upper class is made up of families that have held great wealth for multiple generations, also known as "old money." Choice A, the lower-upper class, is made up of individuals who have earned their wealth through their own achievements, such as entrepreneurs or executives. Choice B, new money, refers to those who have recently come into wealth or acquired it through high-paying careers. Choice D, upper-middle class, refers to individuals who have achieved significant socioeconomic status through their education and professional careers but do not have the generational wealth and power of the upper-upper class.

Question 11

A combination of three factors qualifies people for the ____________ class: university degrees, authority and independence on the job, and high income.

Accepted Answer

The combination of university degrees, authority and independence on the job, and high income qualifies people for the upper-middle class. The options A, B, and C do not fit the criteria mentioned.

Question 12

Working single mothers and their children and African Americans are overrepresented among the ____________  .

Accepted Answer

Working single mothers and their children and African Americans are more likely to have low wages and insecure employment, putting them at risk of falling into poverty and being classified as the working poor. They are less likely to be in the middle or upper class, although they may still identify as working class.

Question 13

Sociologists often use the term____________  to refer to a classification that reflects a combination of factors such as income, occupation, and education.

Accepted Answer

The term that reflects a combination of factors such as income, occupation, and education is known as socioeconomic status (SES). It is a way of measuring and comparing individuals or groups in society based on their access to resources and opportunities. The other options, power status, prestige status, and wealth status, do not encompass all these factors and are more limited in their scope of measurement.

Question 14

The upper-middle class is comprised of highly educated professionals, such as physicians, attorneys, stockbrokers, and corporate managers, which make up about____________  of the population.

Accepted Answer

According to most definitions, the upper-middle class makes up approximately 14 percent of the population. This group typically has advanced degrees and high-paying jobs, but may not have the same level of wealth as those in the higher echelons of society.

Question 15

The model of the American class system based on the work of ____________ is based on three elements: education, occupation of family head, and family income.

Accepted Answer

The model of the American class system based on the work of Max Weber is based on three elements: education, occupation of family head, and family income.

Question 16

The term______________ refers to those who are poor, are seldom employed, and experience long-term deprivation.

Accepted Answer

The term "underclass" specifically refers to individuals or families who are stuck in a cycle of poverty and deprivation, often due to factors such as lack of skills or education, unemployment, and limited access to resources and opportunities. The working class and working poor may also experience some level of poverty or financial struggle, but the term "underclass" specifically refers to those who are most marginalized and face the most significant challenges in improving their socioeconomic status. The middle class typically refers to those who are financially stable and have a certain level of comfort and security.

Question 17

The minimum wage is ____________ .

Accepted Answer

The federal government sets a minimum wage, but individual states can choose to adopt a higher rate. Therefore, the minimum wage varies from state to state, but cannot be lower than the federal rate.

Question 18

Of the two categories of people who work for wages, Weber called the white-collar workers, public officials, managers, and professionals the .

Accepted Answer

Weber referred to white-collar workers, public officials, managers, and professionals as the middle class because they had a higher income and level of education than the working class, but did not possess the wealth and social status of the upper class.

Question 19

The annual income for people in the underclass is in ______________the range.

Accepted Answer

The underclass is a socio-economic group that experiences persistent poverty and often lacks access to opportunities for education and job advancement. The annual income for people in the underclass is typically below the poverty line, which in the US is around $12,000 per year for an individual. Therefore, of the choices given, the most realistic range for the annual income of people in the underclass is $15,000.

Question 20

The term pink-collar refers to ____________ _.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term pink-collar refers to ____________ _.
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Quiz 2: Culture