Social Class and Identity.

?
What are the different social classes?
There are 4 social classes, the Upper class, Middle class, Working class and the Underclass.
1 of 24
Define Upper class?
The Upper class are usually the elite in society and possess a lot of wealth. The jobs they usually have are those such as Politicians and Company owners.
2 of 24
Define Middle class.
The Middle class usually have jobs such as being a Teacher, Doctor, University Lecturer and Policemen. They have less wealth than people of the Upper class and their jobs pay less than.
3 of 24
Define Working class.
The Working class are those who are have jobs such as Plumbing, Sales assistance, Nursing and Building site workers. They are individuals who earn less than those of the middle and upper classes.
4 of 24
Define Underclass?
The Underclass are those who are unemployed and receive their income through the state.
5 of 24
Define Social Mobility.
Social mobility is the concept of moving social classes. For example a person from the Working class moving up to the Middle class.
6 of 24
What did Bourdieu argue?
Bourdieu argued that social classes are created by the varying capitals a person possesses.
7 of 24
What are the different capitals Bourdieu argued there are?
Bourdieu argued that there were different capitals. Social, Economic and Cultural capital.
8 of 24
Define Cultural capital.
Cultural capital is the attitudes and knowledge an Upper class family would teach their children in order for them to maintain their Upper class status Bourdieu argued that by having Cultural capital it made it easier to gain the other capitals.
9 of 24
Define Economical capital.
Economical capital is the amount of wealth an individual has. Upper class individuals posses more wealth than that of Middle class individuals helping them maintain their Upper class status and position.
10 of 24
Define Social capital.
Social capital is the links a person has and the people in society they know. For example a individual from the Upper class will mingle with people of high status in society such as Business owners which will allow them to establish their career.
11 of 24
What did Makintosh and Mooney argue?
Makintosh and Mooney argues that social mobility is very difficult if not impossible due to social closure.
12 of 24
Define Social closure.
Social closure is when the upper class separate themselves from lower classes through education and everyday life according to Makintosh and Mooney.
13 of 24
How do the Upper class close themselves off to the lower classes?
According to Makintosh and Mooney Upper class families invest their money into sending their children to private schools and most will socialise in exclusive clubs which are largely unknown or inaccessible to the general public e.g Hunting and Polo.
14 of 24
How does Social Closure make it difficult/ impossible for social mobility to occur?
The exclusivity of the activities and everyday life of the upper classes does not allow lower classes to engage in them which prevents lower classes from being ale to achieve the same knowledge and social contacts needed to move social classes.
15 of 24
What did Fox argue?
Fox argued that a Middle class identity can no longer be achieved, due to the middle class now being a diverse group containing people from various backgrounds, careers and lifestyles.
16 of 24
How had the Middle class changed over the years?
Originally the Middle class was associated with those who had been to University & own their own house. However, due to improved education more & more people are attaining degrees & gaining a 'middle class' status the middle class has become diverse.
17 of 24
What did Fox do?
Fox argued that the Middle class can be divided into 'upper middle' and 'lower middle' in order to recognise the various groups within the middle class.
18 of 24
What has happened to the working class over the course of two centuries?
The working class has change due the lack of traditional working class jobs and the rise in demand for retail workers and less labourious jobs.
19 of 24
What did Murray argue in 1984?
Murray argues that over generous benefits encourage some people to create a set of norms and values in which they don't take responsibility for their actions and depend on the gvt and tax payers for an income.
20 of 24
What has the government done using Murray's arguement?
The government have used Murray's ideas as a basis for some of the changes in their policies such as the raised school-leaving age. T.V programmes such as, Benefit Street portray the under-class in a negative light.
21 of 24
What did Pokulski and Walters argue?
Postmodernists Pokulski and Walters argue that there has been a shift from production to consumption. We are now defined by what we buy, not what we do.
22 of 24
What did Offe argue?
Offe (1985) argues that in today's society fewer individuals share the common experience of full time work as jobs for life are a lot more scarce however, today people can create their own class identity regardless of their families.
23 of 24
Why does Offe argue that we can make our own class identity?
We can own class identity due to there being more opportunities in a postmodern society which weren't present previously to create a different class identity to that of their family.
24 of 24

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Define Upper class?

Back

The Upper class are usually the elite in society and possess a lot of wealth. The jobs they usually have are those such as Politicians and Company owners.

Card 3

Front

Define Middle class.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Define Working class.

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Define Underclass?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Sociology resources:

See all Sociology resources »See all Culture and Socialisation resources »