Social Stratification
Theories
Today:
“Success means having the
courage, the determination,
and the will to become the
person you believe you were
meant to be.” George Sheehan,
Philosopher
Extra Credit Options on Website
• All extra credit due Dec 4th/5th (1 week before finals)
• Must be typed and handed in, not e-mailed
What is social stratification?
• Institutionalized pattern of
inequality
• Some people get more
access to resources than
others
• Reflecting inequalities in
life chances
Conflict Perspective
Karl Marx:
• Ruling class controls the economic system for its own benefit
• Exploits and oppresses the masses
Conflict Perspective
Occupy Wall Street Protests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
• Poverty persists because it performs some positive function
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view:
• Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs
• Provides jobs
• Provides a market for lesser goods
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view
• Talents are rewarded
• All positions in a society (doctors - janitors)
must be filled
• Poverty discourages people
from neglecting their social duties
Functionalist
Perspective
• Criticized because
not all careers are
rewarded for their
value in society
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
1. bad
economy
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
2. bad
schools
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
3. family
breakdown
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
4. problems
with
government
assistance
Causes of Poverty
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors
(selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job)
as normal
Causes of Poverty
Interactionist Perspective- 1st view
People get used to living in
poverty
Have difficulty changing the
situation
Criticized because it seems to
“blame the victim”
Symbolic
Interactionist Perspective 2nd view
Labels of poor:
View of wealthy:
•irresponsible
•lazy
•low motivation
•low ability
•low morals
•capable
•hard working
•motivated
•deserving of wealth
•evil, greedy, undeserving
How has U.S. policy influenced social
stratification?
View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of
Social Stratification
The American Dream-Rags to Riches
“America is the land of opportunities, anyone who
works hard enough can achieve anything and
accomplish any goal.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Why?
5:15-17:30
The American Dream-Rags to Riches
This belief called Horatio Alger myth: belief that due to limitless
possibilities anyone can get ahead if he or she tries hard enough
What is social class?
Max Weber: people who rank closely to one another in terms of:
class/wealth
Property and
income minus
debt
1864-1920
power
Ability to get
others to do
what you want
prestige
Level of
respect an
individual or
their position
demands
Status consistent vs. Status inconsistent
Rank equally on all = Status Consistent
Status inconsistent =not equal on all 3 measures of class
class/wealth
power
prestige
Property and income Ability to get others Level of respect an
minus debt
to do what you want individual or their
position demand
What is social class?
• Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots”
• based on the means of production
• 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat
Lawyer who works for a firm and
clients
1818 –1883
Independent cab driver who owns
his taxi
*Bourgeois= adjective
C. Wright Mills
Power Elite
Key people in three major institutions of modern society:
government
1916-1962
military
economy
Power Elite
• Small group of people who control a high amount of wealth
and access to decision-making of global consequence
Capitalism A Love Story
View Capitalism A Love Story
Michael Moore
Extra credit option
Which explanation of poverty applies best to
today’s economic crisis?
a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in
poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation
b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy
and lose out on opportunities due to the label
c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it
motivates people to seek higher rewards
d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have
money and power
Extra Credit Opportunity
Video Review
View Mammoth
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