Transcript Lesson 8-1a: Demensions of Stratification

Dimensions of Stratification
Lesson 8-1a
Introduction
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Read using your sociological imagination on p.
241
Section 1-Polling Question
Which characteristic do you think
determines a person’s social class?
A. Wealth
B. Power
A
B. B
C.0%C
A.
C. Fame
0%
A
B
0%
C
Social Stratification and Social
Class
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Dr. Suess Sneetches
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Rank depends on if they have a star on their
stomach
George Orwell’s Animal Farm
Both show how humans tend to form ranks
Social Stratification and Social
Class
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Social stratification- creation of layers (strata) of people
who possess unequal shares of scarce resources
– Income, power, prestige
Each layer in stratified system is a social class
– A segment of the population whose members hold
similar amounts of scarce resources and share
values, norms, and a lifestyle.
Poverty and Death
World View 1
Source: World Health Organization, World
Health Statistics 2005.
Section 1
How many social classes do you
think exist in the U.S. today?
A. 0–1
B. 2–3
A.
C. 4–5
B.
D. More than 5
0%
C.
0%
A
B
D.
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Social Stratification and Social
Class
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The number of social classes in a society
varies
Look at the map on p. 243
Social Stratification and Social
Class
Read “An Outsiders View of American Society”
The Economic Dimension
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Karl Marx defined those who had the means of
production as the bourgeoisie (rulers)
Those who worked for wages called proletariet(ruled)
–
The only thing of value they have this their labor
Extremes of Income and Poverty In
the United States
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Income- the amount of money received within
a given time period to an individual or group
Wealth- all economic resources possessed by
an individual or group.
Extremes of Income and Poverty In
the United States
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1997- 36 million Americans living in poverty
Ten million millionaires
Fifty- billionaires
The richest 20% of American families received
over 49% of the nation’s income. The poorest
20% controlled 4%.
Section 1
According to Marx, a construction
worker would be considered part of
which class?
A. Proletariat
B. Bourgeoisie
A
B. B
C.0%C
A.
C. Neither
0%
A
B
0%
C
Shares of Wealth
Figure 8.2
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.
Four Different Income Brackets In The United States
This chart shows different income brackets in the United States
The Power Dimension
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Power is the ability to control the behavior of others,
even against their will.
According to Marx, those who control the capital, have
the power in a society.
Power is also attached to the social positions we hold.
Can overcome a lack of wealth if large numbers on
your side or skilled at organizing resources.
Section 1
Do you think if a person is wealthy,
they are also powerful?
A. Yes
B. No
A
B. B
C.0%C
A.
C. Not sure
0%
A
B
0%
C
The Prestige Dimension
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Prestige- recognition, respect, and admiration
attached to social positions
It is defined by your culture and society
Section 1
In your opinion, which position is
more prestigious
A. Doctor
B. Lawyer
A.
C. Professional athlete
D. Politician
B.
0%
A
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
C
D
0%
D
The Prestige Dimension
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Prestige must be voluntarily given.
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Must come from others
People with similar levels of prestige share
identifiable lifestyles
Some sociologists view social classes as
subcultures because members have a
distinctive way of life.
How is prestige distributed?
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Social positions considered most important
have the most prestige
Most people achieve prestige due to their
occupations
White collar occupations have more prestige
than blue collar jobs.
Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the United States
Figure 8.3
Prestige Rankings
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Look at chart on p. 247
Which jobs are most significant?
What jobs are insignificant?
What jobs could we do without?
What does this say about prestige and
ranking?
How would you change the rankings?
Prestige
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Use picture on p. 248
Rank the following people based on prestige
Compare your lists
How did your rank people? Is this fair?
Prestige
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How does clothing serve as a uniform for
prestige?