Social Stratification Quiz

Which must be true in order for social stratification to occur?

• There must be limited resources and these resources must be allocated equally among all people

• There must be a caste system

• There must be limited resources and these resources must be allocated unequally among people

• There must be unlimited resources that are available to all people equally

Which social classes best represents the common American dream of achieving wealth through ability and hard work?

• Upper-upper class

• Lower-upper class

• Middle class

• Working class

Which is least likely to live in poverty in the U.S. today?

• A 30-year old white man

• A 14-year old Latino

• An African American mother of two preschoolers

• A mentally ill 45-year old white woman

The most distinguishing characteristic of the caste system is -

• People can move vertically, but not horizontally

• People can only move in an intergenerational fashion

• Social status is inherited and cannot be changed

• Social status can be changed by education and hard work

What might be considered prestigious by one social class may not be considered prestigious by another

• Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others

• Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt

• Children in the U.S. are taught that a person's social class is the result of his or her talent and effort

• The inequality of social classes helps assure that the most qualified people fill the most important positions

Irina moves from a job as a computer programmer to a job as a Web page designer. This is most likely an example of —

• Intergenerational mobility

• Horizontal mobility

• The caste system

• Vertical mobility

Which is not true of prestige?

• Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others

• Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt

• Children in the U.S. are taught that a person's social class is the result of his or her talent and effort

• Prestige refers to the respect and honor attached to certain social positions

After attending night school for five years, Sondra moves from a job as a warehouse worker to a job as a bank executive. This is most likely as example of -

• Intergenerational mobility

• Horizontal mobility

• The caste system

• Vertical mobility

Which best describes the functionalist theory of social stratification?

• Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others

• Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt

• Children in the U.S. are taught that a person's social class is the result of his or her talent and effort

• The inequality of social classes helps assure that the most qualified people fill the most important positions

Many developing countries –

• Have only an upper class and a lower class

• Have very large upper classes

• Have very large middle classes

• Have no upper class