Sociology - Social Stratification/ Inequalities

GCSE flashcards/notes I've done for a midterm assessment. Feel free to message me with any questions.

?
  • Created by: _elsy
  • Created on: 18-03-19 17:57
What is social stratification?
The way different groups of people are placed at different levels in society in a hierarchy.
1 of 31
Stratification
Different groups of people are placed at different levels in society in a hierarchy
2 of 31
Hierarchy
The organisation of society into a rank order of importance
3 of 31
Social Inequality
The way different groups of people are placed at different levels in society in a hierarchy
4 of 31
Aristocracy
An elite social group with inherited titles
5 of 31
Functionalist View: Davis and Moore
. Society sorts members into different postions . Stratification has the function of role allocation. Makes sure the most able and talented do most important jobs . Inequality and reward and status essential to motivate best individuals.
6 of 31
Functionalist View: Davis and Moore
. High rewards compensate people for spending long time in education.
7 of 31
Criticisms of D + M 1
Not all well paid jobs achieved through good education - Talent can be measured by other factors. E.g. Celebs and singers
8 of 31
Criticisms of D + M 2
Not everyone can access an education - eg 3rd world countries
9 of 31
Marxist View
. Conflict view of society, believe division of labour has led to inequality in society between classes .Believe factory work led to the differences and would create class conflict . Called this "polarisation of social classes" (where classes live
10 of 31
Marx continued
dramatically seperate. Ultimatley would lead to workers rebelling against captalism, causing it to completley collapse and establish a classless communist society
11 of 31
Criticism of Marx 1
Communist societies have never worked in reality (attempts in Russia and Germany led to dictatorships)
12 of 31
Criticism of Marx 2
Underestimates the capacity of individuals to make their own choices about their life
13 of 31
Weber and Class
Described social classes as a group of people who share a similar position in market economy and have similar life chances
14 of 31
Weber's classes:
1) Individuals with economic power (owners) 2) The professionals (middle class) 3) Petty bourgeoisie (lower middles class business owners) 4) Manual working class
15 of 31
Factors affecting life chances:
. Social class .School you go to .Disabilities .Parent's occupation/status .Ethnicity .Gender
16 of 31
Life chances health: Example
Rich kid: .Good dental hygiene - no loss of teeth . Eat healthy nutritional meals - doesn't face obesity/childhood illnesses Poor kids: . unhealthy processed food . deteorating mental health
17 of 31
Petty bourgeoisie
Lower middle class/ small business owners
18 of 31
Embourgeoisement
Idea that more working class are becoming middle class. Society saw an increase in working class getting higher incomes
19 of 31
Privatised instrumentalism
People no longer shared traditional working - class collective values . Workers now more interested in self and family, seeing work just as a way of earning money e.g reduction of people in unions
20 of 31
Devine - Affluent workers revisited (1992)
. Sample: male manual workers employed at vauxhall car plant and their wives .Found no evidence of privatised instrumentalism. Lifestyle of sample wasn't as communal as before but not as privatised as predicted .Factory worker living standards had
21 of 31
Strength + Criticism
improved . Strength: Interviews produce reliable data which contributes to accuracy of study .Weakness: Study is unrepresentative and culturally biased -only presents workers from Luton.
22 of 31
Xtra Devine
Study is proof of embourgeoisment as manual workers libing standards have substantially rised and aspiartions as consumers
23 of 31
Absolute poverty
When a person doesn't have the basics needed to survive
24 of 31
Relative poverty
When a person is poor compared to others within their society
25 of 31
Subjective poverty
When you think you're living in poverty compared to others
26 of 31
New right view on WS
Believe Welfare state should only be for those most in need and some have become too dependent on it. Believe there should be cuts so people have to have more responsibility for own lives
27 of 31
Social Democart on WS
Contrasting view to New right. Believe capitalism encourages unemployment and poverty - not welfare system. Believe WS creates more equality in society and improves social cohesion
28 of 31
Marxist on WS
WS used by bourgeoisie to make proletariat think they're cared for but actually helps keep them healthy so they can work
29 of 31
Feminist on WS
Generally positive as WS helps women escape patriarchal and possibly abusive families
30 of 31
Lumpenproletariat
Below the working class - marginalised/excluded by society. Now associated with those who rely on benefits and turn to state to look after them
31 of 31

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Stratification

Back

Different groups of people are placed at different levels in society in a hierarchy

Card 3

Front

Hierarchy

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Social Inequality

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Aristocracy

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 Social inequality resources »