Question 1

Which of the following statements is true about the power elite?

Accepted Answer

The power elite model suggests that a small group of people hold significant power in society, primarily through key positions in politics, the economy, and the military.

Question 2

Understanding micro-level processes, such as how individuals develop class conciousness, is part of the __________ perspective on social stratification.

Accepted Answer

The symbolic interaction perspective focuses on micro-level processes and how individuals develop meanings and understandings, such as class consciousness, through social interactions.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true regarding class entitlements?

Accepted Answer

Class entitlements are often ingrained in social norms and behaviors, making them a subtle form of socialization that influences how individuals perceive and interact with others based on perceived social class.

Question 4

"Meeting the right people" is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

"Meeting the right people" is an example of social capital, which refers to the networks and relationships that can provide support and access to resources.

Question 5

Marx and Bourdieu, along with many sociologists, believed that the sum of a person's or a group's money and other valuables was an important factor in the development of the class system. This is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

Economic capital refers to the financial resources and assets that a person or group possesses, which Marx and Bourdieu considered crucial in the formation and development of class systems.

Question 6

Ashanti is interviewing for a new job. She notices the person interviewing her has a picture of his family in front of the Eiffel Tower. Ashanti uses this to start a conversation about their commonalities, which leads to discussions of fine art, music, and dining. These intangible resources that Ashanti drew upon are examples of __________.

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital refers to non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as education, intellect, style of speech, dress, or physical appearance. Ashanti used her knowledge and appreciation of art, music, and dining to connect with the interviewer, which are examples of cultural capital.

Question 7

Habitus can be defined as a __________.

Accepted Answer

Habitus refers to the ingrained habits, skills, and dispositions that individuals acquire through their life experiences, particularly those related to their social class, which guide their behaviors and perceptions.

Question 8

A person who grew up in a rough neighborhood where violent crime was rampant would likely know how to navigate the streets, what areas to avoid, and how to handle police surveillance. This seems "natural" because the person is not consciously aware of it. This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of habitus, which refers to the ingrained habits, skills, and dispositions that individuals acquire through their life experiences, often unconsciously.

Question 9

According to Bourdieu, society is organized into __________ where games are played for status and domination.

Accepted Answer

Bourdieu's concept of "fields" refers to social arenas where individuals and groups compete for resources, status, and power, each with its own rules and structures.

Question 10

__________ refers to a comparison of the standing of one group to the standing of another group.

Accepted Answer

Relative poverty refers to the comparison of the economic status of one group to another, highlighting disparities in income or resources.

Question 11

The federal government measures poverty using __________, a statistical measure relating family income to quality of life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The federal government measures poverty using __________,...

Question 12

The condition in which people do not have enough income to buy the minimal necessities of life is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a condition where individuals lack the financial resources to meet basic life necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing.

Question 13

If we compare the salary of a company's CEO with the salaries of the workers, it would be an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Relative poverty refers to the condition where people lack the minimum amount of income needed in order to maintain the average standard of living in the society in which they live. Comparing the CEO's salary with workers' salaries highlights income inequality, which is a key aspect of relative poverty.

Question 14

People who have no food and no place to live are experiencing __________.

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a condition where individuals lack the basic necessities for survival, such as food and shelter.

Question 15

The annual income at which a person or household does not have enough income to buy the minimal necessities of life is referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

The poverty threshold is the specific income level set by authorities below which a person or household is considered to lack the resources to meet the basic needs for a minimum standard of living.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true regarding poverty worldwide?

Accepted Answer

Standards of living and the cost of living vary significantly across different countries, so what is considered poor in one country may not be considered poor in another.

Question 17

Service workers, migrant workers, and day laborers routinely experience periods of the year when they are unemployed and poor. This is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

Episodic poverty refers to temporary periods of poverty that individuals experience, often due to seasonal or unstable employment.

Question 18

People who are trapped in a cycle of joblessness, deviance, crime, welfare dependency, and unstable family life are considered to be __________.

Accepted Answer

The term "members of the truly disadvantaged" refers to individuals who are caught in a cycle of poverty and related social issues, such as joblessness, crime, and unstable family life.

Question 19

Some sociologists contend that the plight of the truly disadvantaged will not improve until __________.

Accepted Answer

The improvement of the economy reaching areas where the truly disadvantaged reside is seen as a necessary condition for improving their plight, as economic opportunities and resources are crucial for alleviating poverty.

Question 20

Which of the following claims is derived from a sociological explanation of homelessness?

Accepted Answer

Sociological explanations focus on structural factors like economic conditions, housing costs, and systemic issues that contribute to homelessness, rather than individual failings or choices.

Quiz 5: Inequalities of Social Stratification