social stratification. social class people who have similar position in the social hierarchy, who...
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Social Class
People who have similar position in the social hierarchy, who have similar political and economic interests.
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social rewards.
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social rewards.
Wealth
WEALTH
• The sum total of a person’s assets including what they own and their income
• Wealth is not distributed evenly throughout the US
Highest
FourthFifth
Middle
SecondFifth
Lowest
2004 Distribution of Income In US2004 Distribution of Income In US
Highest – 49.2%Highest – 49.2%Fourth Fifth- 23.2%Fourth Fifth- 23.2%Middle- 15.0%Middle- 15.0%Second Fifth- 9.0%Second Fifth- 9.0%Lowest- 3.6%Lowest- 3.6%
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social rewards.
Wealth
Power
POWER
• The ability to control the behaviors of others with or without their consent
• Power can be based on:– Use of force– Possession of specific skills or knowledge– Social Status– Personal Characteristics (Charismatic Authority)– Traditional Authority– Legal Doctrine (Rational-legal Authority)
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social rewards.
Wealth
Power
Prestige
PRESTIGE
• The degree of respect or esteem a person receives from others
• May be based upon:– Income– Education– Club membership– Family membership– Occupation
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on ascribed status with little chance of social mobility (Caste System)
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on ascribed status with little chance of social mobility (Caste System)
Class – Achieved
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on ascribed status with little chance of social mobility (Caste System)
Class – Achieved
Open System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on achieved status with a chance of social mobility (Class System)
Social Mobility:
• The ability to move up or down in social class or strata
– Vertical– Horizontal– Intergenerational
Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.– Small communities.– Everybody knows everybody.– Not usually very accurate.
Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.– People do not like to place themselves out of
the middle class.
Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.– People do not like to place themselves out of
the middle class.– Again, not very accurate.
Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.– Income– Occupation– Education
Least biased determination, but the problem can be with the determinants used.
Upper Upper Class
• Majority of the US Wealth
• Old Money
• Born into wealth and power
• Prestigious schools
• Status gives them rights to many things.
• Education?
Lower Upper Class
• The “New Rich” “New Money”
• Aquired wealth through own efforts
• Not as prestigious
• It does purchase most of the same privileges
• Multiple houses, cars, vacations
• “I make a lot of money listen to me!”
• Education?
Upper Middle Class
• High income business and professional
• College educations minimum
• Money they make goes to large houses, cars, and many luxuries.
• Retire early.
• Career orientated.
Lower Middle Class
• White Collar Jobs
• Not much manual labor
• Lower education provides lower earnings
• Small business, nursing, teacher
• Comfortable life, but depends on job!
Working Class
• Largest segment of America
• Manual Labor
• Blue-Collar jobs
• Pink-Collar jobs
• Few if any financial reserves
• Everything depends on job, MUST!
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