Social Stratification: Understanding Class Systems and Inequality

Question 1

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Assigned status at birth

Answer

High levels of social mobility

Answer

Limited occupational specialization

Answer

Economic equality among castes

Question 2

What is the term for the movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Status consistency

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can influence social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Birth order

Answer

Education

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Government policies

Question 4

What is the term for the belief that lower social classes are inherently inferior?

Accepted Answer

Social Darwinism

Answer

Eugenics

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Marxism

Question 5

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the importance of social structures in shaping individual behavior?

Accepted Answer

Structural functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 6

Which of the following is a potential consequence of high levels of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social unrest

Answer

Economic growth

Answer

Political stability

Answer

Educational equality

Question 7

What is a key difference between social stratification based on class and that based on caste?

Accepted Answer

Caste systems impose stricter social boundaries than class systems.

Answer

Class systems are more common in industrialized societies than caste systems.

Answer

Caste systems are solely based on economic factors, while class systems include social status.

Answer

Class systems are inherently more likely to lead to social conflict than caste systems.

Question 8

Which characteristic is distinctive of a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status at birth

Answer

Open social mobility

Answer

Equal opportunities for all

Answer

Horizontal social divisions

Question 9

Social mobility refers to:

Accepted Answer

The movement of individuals between social positions

Answer

The organization of society into layers

Answer

The process of socialization within society

Answer

The extent of inequality within society

Question 10

According to the functionalist perspective, what is the purpose of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

To maintain social order and stability

Answer

To maximize individual achievement

Answer

To reduce social inequalities

Answer

To eliminate social conflicts

Question 11

Which of these is NOT a factor that influences social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Family background

Answer

Gender

Question 12

A group of people with a similar social status and lifestyle is known as:

Accepted Answer

A social class

Answer

A caste

Answer

A status hierarchy

Answer

A social network

Question 13

A system where individuals are assigned social positions at birth and cannot change them is called a:

Accepted Answer

Caste system

Answer

Class system

Answer

Status hierarchy

Answer

Social mobility system

Question 14

The belief that one's social position is deserved is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Social justification

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social inequality

Question 15

Which of these is NOT a factor that perpetuates social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Equal access to quality education

Answer

Institutionalized discrimination

Answer

Cultural values

Answer

Socialization

Question 16

How does social stratification generally affect the stability of a society?

Accepted Answer

It contributes to social conflicts and divisions.

Answer

It promotes social unity and harmony.

Answer

It enhances social mobility for all individuals.

Question 17

How does social stratification interact with other social factors like race, gender, and ethnicity to influence individual experiences?

Accepted Answer

It creates multiple, overlapping systems of inequality.

Answer

It only affects individuals from lower social classes.

Answer

It is a form of social mobility.

Answer

It benefits all members of society equally.

Question 18

Social stratification refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Systematic division of society into hierarchical groups.

Answer

Process of ranking individuals based on their perceived social standing.

Answer

Study of social mobility patterns.

Answer

Examination of the impacts of social inequality on individuals.

Question 19

Who is credited with developing the conflict theory of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Talcott Parsons

Answer

Emile Durkheim

Question 20

The concept of social reproduction refers to:

Accepted Answer

The process by which social inequalities are transmitted across generations.

Answer

The role of education in promoting social mobility.

Answer

The ways in which culture shapes social stratification.

Answer

The changing nature of social hierarchies over time.

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a type of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Biological inequality

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political inequality

Answer

Educational inequality

Question 22

Which of the following is a multi-dimensional measure of social class?

Accepted Answer

A combination of all of the above

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Income

Answer

Education level

Question 23

Status inconsistency refers to:

Accepted Answer

Individuals holding high status in one life domain but low status in another.

Answer

Social groups having consistent status across different domains.

Answer

The process of social mobility.

Answer

The relationship between social status and overall well-being.

Question 24

The primary determinant of social class in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

Income

Answer

Race

Answer

Ethnicity

Answer

Education

Question 25

A social stratification system in which individuals are assigned a permanent status based on their birth is called a:

Accepted Answer

Caste system

Answer

Class system

Answer

Status hierarchy

Answer

Social mobility system

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a social hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

High levels of social mobility

Answer

Unequal distribution of power and resources

Answer

Vertical ranking of individuals or groups

Answer

Legitimization of social inequality

Question 27

Horizontal movement within a social class system is known as:

Accepted Answer

Intragenerational mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Answer

Structural mobility

Answer

Social climbing

Question 28

According to Max Weber's theory, which of the following is NOT a component of social class?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Wealth

Answer

Power

Answer

Prestige

Question 29

The belief that one's own social group is superior to others is termed:

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism

Answer

Cultural relativism

Answer

Social Darwinism

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 30

The concept of a "buffer zone" in the context of social mobility refers to:

Accepted Answer

A social stratum that serves as a transitional stage between different classes

Answer

A group that provides support and resources to individuals seeking to move up in social class

Answer

A social class that is resistant to change and maintains its position through power and privilege

Answer

A government policy that promotes social equality

Question 31

Which of the following sociological theories argues that social stratification is a natural and inevitable feature of human society?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 32

Which of the following is **not** a characteristic of a **caste system**?

Accepted Answer

Lack of social mobility

Answer

Exclusivity of membership

Answer

Endogamy

Answer

Hierarchical structure

Question 33

What is **social mobility**?

Accepted Answer

The movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy

Answer

The creation of new social classes

Answer

The elimination of social inequality

Answer

The process of social change

Question 34

Which of the following factors **does not** contribute to social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Occupation

Question 35

What is the difference between **achieved** and **ascribed status**?

Accepted Answer

Achieved status is acquired through effort and merit, while ascribed status is assigned based on factors beyond an individual's control.

Answer

Ascribed status is higher than achieved status.

Answer

Achieved status can be changed, while ascribed status is permanent.

Answer

Both achieved and ascribed status are determined by societal norms.

Question 36

Define social reproduction and explain how it perpetuates social inequality across generations.

Accepted Answer

The process by which social institutions and structures pass on social advantages and disadvantages across generations.

Answer

The process of creating new social classes.

Answer

The process of ensuring equal social opportunities for all individuals.

Answer

The process of hindering social mobility.

Question 37

How do both personal characteristics and societal factors affect an individual's ability to move up or down the social ladder?

Accepted Answer

Individual traits and societal structures interact to shape an individual's ability to move up the social ladder.

Answer

Only personal qualities like skills and education influence an individual's social mobility.

Answer

Societal factors like discrimination have no impact on determining an individual's social mobility.

Answer

Social mobility is solely determined by factors beyond an individual's control.

Question 38

Which of the following is a defining trait of a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Individuals' status is determined by birth and remains unchanged over their lifetime

Answer

There is no social stratification within the society

Answer

Individuals can freely choose their social position through competition

Answer

Social mobility is very high, allowing for frequent movement between classes

Question 39

Within a structured class system, social mobility is generally:

Accepted Answer

Easier for individuals belonging to higher social classes

Answer

Equal for individuals regardless of their social class

Answer

Easier for individuals in lower social classes to move up the social hierarchy

Question 40

Which of the following is an example of a status hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

The military's ranking system

Answer

The dynamics between family members

Answer

The relationships formed within peer groups

Answer

The different religious beliefs held by people

Question 41

According to Karl Marx's theory of social stratification, the primary factor determining an individual's social status is:

Accepted Answer

Their position in the economic system

Answer

Their level of cultural refinement

Answer

Their political power

Answer

Their overall social status

Question 42

In a meritocracy, an individual's social status is primarily determined by their:

Accepted Answer

Accomplishments and achievements

Answer

Family background and social pedigree

Answer

Social connections and influential acquaintances

Answer

Inherited wealth and material possessions

Question 43

The movement of an individual from one social class to another is commonly referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Status hierarchy

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Cultural enrichment

Question 44

Which of the following is considered a form of horizontal social mobility?

Accepted Answer

A career change within the same social class

Answer

Moving down to a lower social class

Answer

Moving up to a higher social class

Answer

Moving to a different social class based on generational differences

Question 45

The idea that one's social position is fair and justified is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Legitimation of social stratification

Answer

Social class distinction

Answer

Social ideology

Answer

Social inequality

Question 46

Identify the option that presents a feature NOT associated with a caste system:

Accepted Answer

Social mobility is relatively fluid.

Answer

Social interaction between different castes is frequently limited.

Answer

Social status is fixed from birth.

Answer

Ascribed status heavily influences membership.

Question 47

A society that allows for movement between social classes is known as:

Accepted Answer

Open stratification system

Answer

Closed stratification system

Answer

Meritocratic system

Answer

Caste system

Question 48

Which option exemplifies horizontal social mobility?

Accepted Answer

A nurse transitions to a different hospital for employment.

Answer

A teacher receives a promotion to principal.

Answer

A construction worker becomes an attorney.

Question 49

The notion that effort and talent are the primary factors determining social position is known as:

Accepted Answer

Meritocracy

Answer

Caste system

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social Darwinism

Question 50

The concentration of wealth and power within a small, elite group is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Social change

Answer

Social integration

Answer

Social mobility

Question 51

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to social stratification in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Physical attributes

Answer

Amount of wealth

Answer

Level of education

Answer

Type of occupation

Question 52

Which sociological perspective emphasizes that social stratification is essential for the smooth functioning of society?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of an achieved status?

Accepted Answer

Doctor

Answer

Daughter

Answer

African American

Answer

Prince

Question 54

What is the primary distinction between a class system and a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility is generally greater in a class system than in a caste system.

Answer

Caste systems are more common in developed countries, while class systems are more common in developing countries.

Answer

A class system is based on ascribed status, whereas a caste system is based on achieved status.