Chapter Preview
Section 1: Dimensions of Stratification
Section 2: Explanations of Stratification
Section 3: Social Classes in America
Section 4: Poverty in America
Section 5: Social Mobility
Chapter Preview · Section 1
Dimensions of Stratification (pages 242–249)
Stratification is the division of society into classes
that have unequal amounts of wealth, power, and
prestige. Karl Marx and Max Weber studied these
dimensions of stratification in great detail.
Chapter Preview · Section 2
Explanations of Stratification (pages 250–253)
Each of the three perspectives—functionalism, conflict
theory, and symbolic interactionism—explains
stratification in society in a different way.
Chapter Preview · Section 3
Social classes in America (pages 254–258)
Sociologists have identified several social classes in
the United States. They include the upper, middle,
working, and lower classes.
Chapter Preview · Section 4
Poverty in America (pages 259–264)
Poverty can be measured in absolute or relative terms.
The poor in the U.S. are disproportionately
represented by African Americans, Latinos, women,
and children.
Chapter Preview · Section 5
Social Mobility (pages 265–268)
Social mobility, the movement of individuals or groups
within the stratification structure, is usually measured
by changes in occupational status. Sociologists are
most interested in upward or downward (vertical)
mobility. Closed-class systems permit little vertical
mobility; open class systems, such as those in
industrialized countries, allow considerable vertical
mobility.
Stratification is the division of society into
classes that have unequal amounts of wealth,
power, and prestige. Karl Marx and Max Weber
studies these dimensions of stratification in
great detail.
• social stratification
• social class
• bourgeoisie
• proletariat
• income
• wealth
• power
• prestige
Which characteristic do you think
determines a person’s social class?
A. Wealth
B. Power
C. Fame
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0%C
B
0%
C
Dimension of Stratification
• Social stratification is the creation of
layers of people who possess unequal
shares of scarce resources.
• Income, wealth, power, and prestige are
the most important resources.
Dimension of Stratification (cont.)
• Each layer is considered a social class,
or a segment of a population whose
members hold similar amounts of scarce
resources and share values, norms, and
an identifiable lifestyle.
Poverty and Death
How many social classes do you
think exist in the U.S. today?
A. 0–1
B. 2–3
C. 4–5
D. More than 5
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
The Economic Dimension
• Karl Marx believed that the economy
determined the nature of society and
predicted that capitalist societies would be
reduced to two social classes:
The Economic Dimension (cont.)
• The bourgeoisie is the class that owns
the means of production.
• The proletariat is the class that labors
without owning the means of production.
The Economic Dimension (cont.)
• Marx also noted the unequal distribution of
economic resources.
• Income inequality exists and is growing
within the United States.
The Economic Dimension (cont.)
• These definitions must be considered
when discussing this gap:
– Income is the amount of money received
within a given time period by an individual
or group.
– Wealth refers to all the economic
resources possessed by an individual or
group.
Shares of Wealth
Percentage Change in
After-Tax Income, 1977
to 2002
According to Marx, a construction
worker would be considered part of
which class?
A. Proletariat
B. Bourgeoisie
C. Neither
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0%C
B
0%
C
The Power Dimension
• Power is the ability to control the behavior
of others, even against their will.
• Marx believed that those who own and
control capital have the power in a society.
• Weber argued that while having money
helps, economic success and power are
not the same.
The Power Dimension (cont.)
• The following can also increase power:
– Expert knowledge
– Social positions
– A large group of supporters or skill at
organizing resources
Do you think if a person is wealthy,
they are also powerful?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0%C
B
0%
C
The Prestige Dimension
• Prestige is recognition, respect, and
admiration attached to social positions.
– It is defined by your culture and society.
– It is voluntarily given.
The Prestige Dimension (cont.)
• People with similar levels of prestige share
similar lifestyles.
• An occupation usually dictates a level of
prestige.
Prestige Rankings of
Selected Occupations
in the United States
In your opinion, which position is
more prestigious
A. Doctor
B. Lawyer
C. Professional athlete
D. Politician
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
BD.
A
B
0%
C
C
D
0%
D
Each of the three perspectives—functionalism,
conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism—
explains stratification in society in a different
way.
• false consciousness
Do you think education is a
determining factor in determining
one’s social class?
A. Definitely agree
B. Somewhat agree
C. Somewhat disagree
D. Definitely disagree
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Functionalist Theory of Stratification
• According to the functionalists,
stratification assures that:
– the most qualified people fill the most
important positions
– these qualified people perform their tasks
competently
– they are rewarded for their efforts
Which profession do you think has
the highest level of skill?
A. Doctor
B. Rocket scientist
C. Car mechanic
D. Writer
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Conflict Theory of Stratification
• According to the conflict theory, inequality
exists because some people are willing to
exploit others.
• This is based on Marx’s ideas regarding
class conflict—the people with the power
are able to control everyone else because
they can easily spread their ideas.
Conflict Theory of Stratification (cont.)
• Marx used the term false consciousness
to refer to the working-class acceptance of
capitalist ideas and values.
According to the conflict theory of
stratification, what would a foreman
at a construction worksite be
considered?
A. An exploiter
B. The exploited
C. Both
D. Neither
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Symbolic Interaction and Stratification
• According to this perspective, American
children are taught that a person’s social
class is the result of talent and effort.
• Therefore, people’s self-concepts help
preserve the status quo.
Social Stratification
According to the symbolic
interactionism perspective, could a
child born into poverty become a
doctor?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0%C
B
0%
C
Sociologists have identified several social
classes in the United States. They include the
upper class, the middle class, the working
class, the working poor, and the underclass.
• class consciousness
• working poor
• underclass
Which social class would do you
think Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft,
is considered to be part of?
A. Upper class
B. Middle class
C. Work class
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0% C
B
0%
C
Class Consciousness
• Class consciousness is a sense of
identification with the goals and interests
of the members of a particular social class.
• The American public has shown little
interest in class differences.
American Class
Structure
Social Classes in
World Perspective
What is the typical income of a
person in the working poor class?
A. 12,000
B. 35,000
C. 55,000
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0% C
B
0%
C
The Upper Class
• Only 1% of the population is upper class.
There are different levels within the upper
class:
– Upper-upper class
– Lower-upper class
What percentage of the population is
in the upper class?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
The Middle Classes
• About 40%–50% of Americans are middle
class.
The Middle Classes (cont.)
• The upper-middle class (about 14%) is
composed of those who have been
successful in:
– business
– the professions
– politics
– the military
The Middle Classes (cont.)
• The middle-middle class (about 30%) is
made of people such as:
– owners of small businesses and farms
– independent professionals
– other professionals, such as nurses and
police officers
– lower-level managers
– some sales and clerical workers
What percentage of the population is
in the middle-middle class?
A. 20
B. 30
C. 40
D. 50
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
The Working Class
• About one-third of the population is working
class and is made of people such as:
– roofers
– delivery truck drivers
– machine operators
– salespeople
– clerical workers
What is a major concern of the working
class?
A. Steady employment
B. Health insurance
C. Retirement benefits
D. All of the above
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
The Working Poor
• The working poor comprise about 13% of
the population.
• These people are employed in low-skill
jobs with the lowest pay:
– lowest-level clerical workers
– laborers
– fast-food servers
Which is a typical type of job for the
working poor?
A. Fast-food servers
B. Low-level managers
C. Salespeople
D. All of the above
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
The Underclass
• The underclass comprise about 12% of the
population.
The Underclass (cont.)
• Characteristics of the underclass include:
– May hold part-time menial jobs or are on
public assistance
– Might have physical or mental disabilities
– Many single mothers
– Lack skills to obtain jobs
– Entered underclass through means such as
birth, drug addiction or old age
What do you consider to be the main
reason for being in the underclass?
A. Physical or mental disabilities
B. Drug addiction
C. Old age
D. Lack of skills
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Poverty can be measured in absolute or relative
terms. The poor in the U.S. are
disproportionately represented by African
Americans, Latinos, women, and children.
• absolute poverty
• relative poverty
• feminization of poverty
Do you think poverty in America is
different than poverty in other
countries?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Measuring Poverty
• Absolute poverty is the absence of
enough money to secure life’s
necessities—enough food and a safe
place to live.
• Relative poverty is determined by
comparing the economic condition of those
at the bottom of a society with other
members of that society.
Measuring Poverty (cont.)
• The poor comprise 12.7% of the American
population (which means they have an
income below $19,484 for a family of four).
Number of Poor and
Poverty Rate:
1960–2004
Where do you think poverty is the
worst?
A. United States
B. Africa
C. India
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Identifying the Poor
• The poor are comprised of:
– Minorities, especially Latinos and African
Americans
– People who live in female-headed
households. (feminization of poverty)
The Distribution of
Poverty in the U.S.
Identifying the Poor (cont.)
– Children under 18
– Elderly people
– People with disabilities
Percentage of
Population in Poverty
For every dollar earned by men,
women earn
A. $.50
B. $.80
C. $.90
D. $1.00
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
D
C
0%
D
Responses to the Problem of Poverty
• In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson began
the War on Poverty; he wanted to help
poor people help themselves.
• The program was not as successful as
Johnson had hoped.
Do you think the government is doing
a good job combating poverty?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Welfare Reform
• The Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families program limits the amount of time
those people who are able to work may
receive welfare payments.
Welfare Reform (cont.)
• Three major elements of the TANF bill:
– It reduces welfare spending.
– It increases state and local power to
oversee welfare rules.
– It adds new restrictions on welfare
eligibility.
Welfare Reform (cont.)
• Positive and negative changes have
occurred because of the bill.
The Federal
Government Dollar—
Where It Goes
What percentage of the Federal Dollar
is spent on Medicaid?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 10
D. 12
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
D
C
0%
D
Social mobility, the movement of individuals or
groups within the stratification structure, is
usually measured by changes in occupational
status. Sociologists are most interested in
upward or downward (vertical) mobility. Closedclass systems permit little vertical mobility;
open-class systems, such as those in
industrialized countries, allow considerable
vertical mobility.
• social mobility
• horizontal mobility
• vertical mobility
• intergenerational mobility
• caste (closed-class systems)
• open-class systems
Social mobility refers to
A. Horizontal mobility
B. Vertical mobility
C. All of the above
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Types of Social Mobility
• Social mobility is the movement of
people between social classes.
• Horizontal mobility involves changing
from one occupation to another at the
same social class level.
Types of Social Mobility (cont.)
• Vertical mobility involves a person’s
occupational status or social class moving
upward or downward.
• When the change takes place over a
generation, it is called intergenerational
mobility.
If a doctor’s son becomes a social
worker, what is this considered to
be?
A. Horizontal mobility
B. Vertical mobility
C. Intergenerational mobility
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Caste and Open-Class Systems
• In a caste system, there is no social
mobility because social status is inherited
and cannot be changed.
• Apartheid was a caste system in Africa
based on race.
Caste and Open-Class Systems (cont.)
• The Indian caste system is still in effect in
some areas and is based on occupation
and Hindu religion:
– The Brahmin—priests and scholars
– Kshatriyas—professional, governing, and
military jobs
– Vaisyas—merchants and businessmen
Caste and Open-Class Systems (cont.)
– Sudra—farmers, menial workers,
craftsmen
– “Untouchables”—dirty, degrading tasks
Caste and Open-Class Systems (cont.)
• An open-class system, like in the U.S.,
allows an individual to determine his or her
class based on merit and individual effort.
• However, some groups or individuals are
denied movement.
The following are characteristics of a
caste system EXCEPT
A. Marriage possible only within the
same caste
0%
0%
0%
D
0%
A
D. Untouchables serve all food
A
B
C
D
C
C. Status is assigned at birth
A.
B.
C.
D.
B
B. Different castes may
not eat together
Upward and Downward Mobility
• Great leaps in social-class level are
actually rare.
• The trend today is towards downward
mobility due to the outsourcing of jobs to
lower-paid foreign workers.
• Katherine Newman writes about the
consequences of this trend in Falling from
Grace.
Downwardly mobile people
experience which of the following?
A. Lower self-esteem
B. Despair
C. Depression
D. All of the above
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
D
C
0%
D
Percentage Change in After-Tax Income, 1977 to 2002
Source: Washington, DC: Center on Budget and
Policy Priorities, 2005.
Shares of Wealth
Source: Edward N. Wolff, “Changes in Household Wealth in the 1980s and 1990s in the U.S.”
(Working Paper No. 407). The Levy Economics Institute, May 2004.
Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the United States
American Class Structure
Source: Adapted from Dennis Gilbert, The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing
Inequality (6th ed.), 2003.
Number of Poor and Poverty Rate: 1960–2004
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Income,
Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the
United States: 2004, 2005.
The Distribution of Poverty in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2005.
The Federal Government Dollar—Where It Goes
Source: “A Citizen’s Guide to the Federal Budget,”
Washington, D.C., 2002.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2005.
Poverty and Death
Source: World Health Organization,
World Health Statistics 2005.
Social Classes in World Perspective
Source: World Bank, 2005.
Sociology Chapter
Transparencies
Concentration of Wealth
Income Distribution
Portrait of a Typical Millionaire
Unemployment Rate as of September 2005
social stratification
ranking of people or groups according to their
unequal access to scarce resources
social class
segment of society whose members hold
similar amounts of resources and share
values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle
bourgeoisie
class that owns the means of production
proletariat
class that labors without owning the means of
production
income
amount of money received by an individual or
group over a specific time period
wealth
total economic resources held by a person
or group
power
the ability to control the behavior of others,
even against their will
prestige
recognition, respect, and admiration attached
to social positions
false consciousness
adoption of the ideas of the dominant class by
the less powerful class
class consciousness
identification with the goals and interests of a
social class
working poor
people employed in low-skill jobs with the
lowest pay who do not earn enough to rise out
of poverty
underclass
people typically unemployed who came from
families that have been poor for generations
absolute poverty
the absence of enough money to secure life’s
necessities
relative poverty
a measure of poverty based on the economic
disparity between those at the bottom of a
society and the rest of the society
feminization of poverty
a trend in U.S. society in which women and
children make up an increasing proportion of
the poor
social mobility
the movement of individuals or groups
between social classes
horizontal mobility
a change in occupation within the same
social class
vertical mobility
a change upward or down-ward in occupational
status or social class
intergenerational mobility
a change in status or class from one
generation to the next
caste system (closed-class system)
a stratification structure that does not allow for
social mobility
open-class system
a system in which social class is based on
merit and individual effort; movement is
allowed between classes
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