Terms & Terminology
American Stratification
Potpourri
100

This is the recognition, respect, and admiration that is attached to a social position or occupation.

What is prestige?

100

This social class in America contains only one percent of the population, but a vast majority of the wealth.

What is the upper class?

100

This is the money that you earn from your job or occupation.

What is your income?

200

This social class system does NOT allow for the movement of people between social strata.

What is a caste system?

200

This class is subject to absolute poverty, or the inability to garner life's necessities. It is the lowest social class in America. 

What is the underclass?

200

Most modern countries and societies have this many major classes within their social hierarchy. 

What are 3?

300

This unfortunate trend in America sees women and children making up a larger and larger percentage of the poor in our country.

What is the feminization of poverty? 

300

The United States, along with most other democratic societies, have an open class system. That means their societies allow for the movement of people between social classes, known as this.

What is social mobility?

300

Over half the countries in the world fall into this category of global stratification.

What are middle income countries?

400

This term refers to economic disparity at the bottom of society compared to that of the average or middle social class.

What is relative poverty?

400

This is the largest social class in America.

What is the middle class?

400

The statement "societies are stratified so that the most qualified people get into the most important positions" is most in line with this sociological perspective.

What is functionalism?

500

This phenomenon refers to modern, low income countries becoming dependent and reliant on stronger nations to survive. 

What is neocolonialism?

500

Sociologists point out that many Americans lack a sense of identification with a particular social class, known as this.

What is class consciousness?

500

According to Marx, this is the working class's acceptance of capitalist ideals and the status quo of society.

What is false consciousness?

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