Concepts of Social Stratification: Interactive Learning Quizzes

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic used to define social class?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Income

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Education

Question 2

Which of the following is **not** a key dimension of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Wealth

Answer

Education

Answer

Occupation

Question 3

Which of the following is a commonly used indicator of social class?

Accepted Answer

Occupation

Answer

Marital status

Answer

Gender

Answer

Age

Question 4

According to Max Weber's theory of social stratification, which of the following is NOT a source of power?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Economic resources

Answer

Political influence

Answer

Military force

Question 5

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Restriction on marriage outside the caste

Answer

High social mobility

Answer

Material rewards

Answer

Occupational specialization

Question 6

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals:

Accepted Answer

Between social strata

Answer

Within a social stratum

Answer

From urban to rural areas

Answer

Between generations

Question 7

Which of the following sociological theories places emphasis on the role of conflict in social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionist Theory

Answer

Structuralist Theory

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Question 8

Social status is generally determined by:

Accepted Answer

Prestige and honor

Answer

Income

Answer

Power

Answer

Occupation

Question 9

Which of the following is a potential consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Reduced social mobility

Answer

Increased economic growth

Answer

Greater political participation

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Question 10

Which of the following describes Max Weber's concept of social status?

Accepted Answer

It is acquired through birth or personal accomplishment and influences an individual's life chances.

Answer

It is determined solely by economic factors.

Answer

It is synonymous with social class.

Question 11

Ralf Dahrendorf's theory of social conflict emphasizes which factor as the root cause of inequality?

Accepted Answer

Authority and power

Answer

Cultural values

Answer

Social status

Answer

Economic resources

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a vertical dimension of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Age

Answer

Gender

Question 13

Social mobility refers to:

Accepted Answer

The movement of individuals or groups between different social strata.

Answer

The acquisition of wealth and material possessions.

Answer

The process of changing one's social status within the same stratum.

Question 14

Which of the following is a recognized consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Unequal distribution of healthcare resources

Answer

Political unity

Answer

Economic prosperity

Answer

Climate change

Question 15

The social constructionist perspective on social stratification suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Social categories and inequalities are shaped and maintained through social interactions and beliefs.

Answer

Social stratification is a natural and inevitable part of human societies.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT considered a function of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Promoting social equality

Answer

Providing stability and order

Answer

Justifying social inequalities

Answer

Allocating resources and rewards

Question 17

The concept of 'intersectional inequality' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The interconnected and overlapping nature of different forms of inequality.

Answer

The inequality experienced solely based on gender.

Answer

The inequality experienced solely based on social class.

Question 18

Which of the following is a **primary** indicator of social stratification, indicating an individual's position in a social hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Occupation

Answer

Ethnicity

Answer

Age

Answer

Gender

Question 19

Which of the following is a form of social inequality that results from societal biases and results in the **unequal** treatment of individuals based on their ascribed characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Deprivation

Answer

Oppression

Answer

Exploitation

Question 20

Which of the following is a potential **negative** consequence of social stratification, where individuals from lower strata may face limitations in accessing resources and opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Limited access to resources

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Answer

Greater political participation

Answer

Increased social mobility

Question 21

Which of the following factors is considered a **major** contributor to the continuation and reinforcement of social stratification, often resulting from systemic biases and societal structures?

Accepted Answer

Institutionalized discrimination

Answer

Economic downturns

Answer

Natural disasters

Question 22

Which of the following is a **key** characteristic of social class, emphasizing the shared values, beliefs, and cultural norms that shape the experiences and identity of individuals within a particular class?

Accepted Answer

Shared values and beliefs

Answer

Occupational status

Answer

Similar economic circumstances

Answer

Political affiliation

Question 23

Which of the following is an example of a **horizontal** dimension of social stratification, representing social divisions that exist between different groups based on shared characteristics or qualities, rather than a hierarchical ranking?

Accepted Answer

Gender

Answer

Wealth

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Status

Question 24

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a caste system?

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status based on birth

Answer

High levels of social mobility

Answer

Achievement-based social stratification

Answer

Equal access to education and employment

Question 25

According to Karl Marx's theory, which factor is the primary determinant of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Economic class based on relationship to the means of production

Answer

Cultural background and values

Answer

Prestige and social status

Answer

Political power and influence

Question 26

Which of the following is a direct consequence of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and life chances

Answer

Increased social mobility and equality

Answer

Universal social harmony and cohesion

Answer

Elimination of social conflict and tension

Question 27

Which of the following is a major criticism of the functionalist perspective on social stratification?

Accepted Answer

It overlooks the role of power dynamics and conflict in shaping social inequality

Answer

It provides a nuanced and comprehensive analysis of stratification

Answer

It promotes social equality and justice

Answer

It is empirically well-supported and widely accepted

Question 28

Which measure is commonly used to quantify and compare levels of income inequality across societies?

Accepted Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

Human Development Index

Answer

Literacy rate

Answer

Life expectancy

Question 29

Which type of social mobility involves an individual moving to a higher occupational status than their parents?

Accepted Answer

Upward occupational mobility

Answer

Horizontal status mobility

Answer

Lateral income mobility

Answer

Downward educational mobility

Question 30

Which policy approach aims to reduce income disparities by taxing higher earners at a higher rate?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation

Answer

Regressive taxation

Answer

Sales tax

Answer

Flat tax

Question 31

Which of the following is a potential benefit of social stratification, according to some sociological perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Increased social order and stability due to clear social roles and expectations

Answer

Elimination of social conflict and tensions

Answer

Universal social mobility and progress

Answer

Guaranteed equality of opportunity and outcomes

Question 32

Which of the following is a key concept in social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Power

Answer

Religion

Answer

Age

Answer

Gender

Question 33

According to Marxist theory, which of the following is the primary cause of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Ownership of the means of production

Answer

Government policies

Answer

Individual merit

Answer

Cultural values

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential consequence of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Unequal access to educational opportunities

Answer

Increased social cohesion

Answer

Greater political stability

Question 35

Which of the following is a criticism of the functionalist perspective on social stratification?

Accepted Answer

It assumes that social stratification is necessary for societal stability

Answer

It is based on a sound empirical foundation

Answer

It provides a comprehensive explanation of social inequality

Question 36

What is the difference between ascribed and achieved status?

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status is assigned at birth, while achieved status is acquired through personal effort

Answer

Ascribed status is temporary, while achieved status is permanent

Answer

Ascribed status is based on merit, while achieved status is based on luck

Question 37

According to Marxist theory, what is the primary basis for social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Economic class

Answer

Race

Answer

Education

Answer

Gender

Question 38

Provide an example of horizontal social mobility.

Accepted Answer

A doctor transitioning from private practice to a hospital setting.

Answer

A factory worker being promoted to managerial position.

Answer

A student from a disadvantaged background entering university.

Question 39

Identify a factor that can contribute to enhanced social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Access to education

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Government welfare programs

Answer

Inheritance

Question 40

What is a potential consequence of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Unequal distribution of resources

Answer

Equal opportunities for all

Answer

Social harmony

Question 41

Which concept is central to Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Status inconsistency

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Economic inequality

Question 42

Which of the following is a central concept in the study of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Social Class

Answer

Economic Status

Answer

Political Affiliation

Answer

Educational Attainment

Question 43

According to the functionalist perspective in sociology, social stratification:

Accepted Answer

Serves necessary and beneficial roles for the stability and efficiency of society.

Answer

Inevitably leads to social conflict and inequality.

Answer

Is determined solely by genetic factors.

Answer

Is a product of individual merit and effort.

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a primary dimension of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Ethnicity

Answer

Prestige

Answer

Political Power

Answer

Socioeconomic Status

Question 45

The concept of 'relative deprivation' in social stratification refers to:

Accepted Answer

Individuals' perception of their own situation in comparison to others in society.

Answer

The actual material disadvantages faced by individuals.

Answer

The psychological state of feeling deprived or disadvantaged.

Answer

The objective measurement of economic inequality in society.

Question 46

Which of the following is an example of 'intergenerational social mobility'?

Accepted Answer

A child achieves a higher socioeconomic status than their parents.

Answer

A person changes their social class over their lifetime.

Answer

Individuals experience a decline in their socioeconomic status compared to their parents.

Answer

An individual moves from one job to another within the same occupational category.

Question 47

Social stratification can have a significant impact on individuals' life chances, which refers to:

Accepted Answer

Their opportunities and possibilities in areas such as education, employment, health, and social participation.

Answer

Their political preferences and affiliations.

Answer

Their personal beliefs and values.

Answer

Their cultural practices and traditions.

Question 48

A major criticism of the functionalist perspective on social stratification is that:

Accepted Answer

It tends to overemphasize the benefits of stratification for society and downplay its negative consequences.

Answer

It relies too heavily on qualitative research methods.

Answer

It is based on outdated and simplistic assumptions about human nature.

Answer

It fails to account for the role of individual agency in shaping social stratification.

Question 49

The concept of 'social capital' in the context of social stratification refers to:

Accepted Answer

The resources, networks, and connections that individuals can access through their social ties.

Answer

The social status and prestige an individual holds in society.

Answer

The amount of money and material possessions an individual has.

Answer

The level of education and skills an individual possesses.

Question 50

One of the key consequences of social stratification for society is:

Accepted Answer

Social inequality, where individuals and groups have unequal access to resources, opportunities, and power.

Answer

Enhanced social cohesion and solidarity.

Answer

Reduced political participation and civic engagement.

Answer

Increased social mobility and class fluidity.