240 likes | 257 Views
Chapter 8. Social Stratification. Chapter Outline. Using the Sociological Imagination Dimensions of Stratification Explanations of Stratification Stratification in American Society. Chapter Outline. Poverty in America Consequences of Stratification Social Mobility Global Stratification.
E N D
Chapter 8 Social Stratification
Chapter Outline • Using the Sociological Imagination • Dimensions of Stratification • Explanations of Stratification • Stratification in American Society
Chapter Outline • Poverty in America • Consequences of Stratification • Social Mobility • Global Stratification
Stratification • Social Stratification ranks individuals by wealth, prestige, and power. • A stratification structure is composed of: • Social classes • Segments of a population whose members hold a similar share of resources.
Occupational Prestige • Occupations with the greatest prestige: • Pay the most • Require the greatest amount of training, skill, and ability • Provide the most power • Are considered the most important
Functionalism and Stratification • Stratification: • Motivates people to prepare themselves for difficult and important jobs. • Motivates people to perform well once they are in those jobs.
Social Classes in America • Upper class • Middle class • Working class • Lower class • Underclass
Measuring Poverty • Absolute poverty • Determined by annual income. • Anything below a determined (absolute) amount is poverty. • Relative poverty • Contrasts income groups at the bottom of the stratification structure with those above them.
Ideology of Individualism • Each individual should work hard to succeed in competition with others. • Those who work hard should be rewarded with success.
Ideology of Individualism • Because of widespread and equal opportunity, those who work hard will be rewarded with success. • Economic failure is an individual’s own fault and reveals lack of effort.