Policy Implications of Social Mobility: Exam Prep and Practice Quizzes

Question 1

Research on social mobility has found that:

Accepted Answer

It is influenced by both individual and structural factors.

Answer

It is solely determined by individual effort.

Answer

It is unaffected by structural barriers.

Question 2

Which policy measure has been shown to have a significant impact on reducing educational inequality?

Accepted Answer

Early childhood education

Answer

Tax cuts for the wealthy

Answer

Deregulation of the labor market

Answer

Increased military spending

Question 3

A primary goal of government policies aimed at promoting social mobility is to:

Accepted Answer

Create a more just and equitable society

Answer

Maintain the status quo

Answer

Increase the number of millionaires

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Reduce the size of the middle class

Question 4

A major challenge in implementing effective social mobility policies is:

Accepted Answer

Designing policies that are both effective and politically feasible

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Measuring the impact of policies.

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Overcoming resistance from vested interests

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Identifying the root causes of social inequality

Question 5

Which group is most likely to experience downward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds

Answer

Highly educated individuals

Answer

Individuals with secure employment

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Wealthy individuals

Question 6

A limitation of using income as the primary measure of social mobility is that it:

Accepted Answer

Fails to capture other dimensions of social position, such as education and occupation

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Is subjective

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Is comparable across different countries

Question 7

Which policy measure is primarily intended to enhance social mobility by improving early childhood development and educational outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Early years intervention programs

Answer

Raising the minimum wage

Answer

Providing affordable housing

Question 8

According to the 'absolute' concept of social mobility, individuals are considered socially mobile if they:

Accepted Answer

Experience an improvement in their socioeconomic status compared to their parents

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Increase their income by a substantial percentage

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Move from one social class to another

Question 9

Which sociological theory emphasizes the influence of overarching societal structures on social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Structuralist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Question 10

A key policy implication of the concept of 'relative deprivation' is that:

Accepted Answer

Addressing subjective feelings of inequality can contribute to reducing social unrest

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Social mobility policies should prioritize supporting individuals with the lowest incomes

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Government should focus on reducing income inequality between the richest and poorest citizens

Question 11

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Increased social inequality

Answer

Greater economic growth

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Reduced poverty

Question 12

A 'glass ceiling' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A barrier to upward social mobility for individuals from certain groups

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A policy designed to reduce downward social mobility

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A measure of the extent of income inequality in a society

Question 13

A policy aimed at increasing the number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds entering higher education and succeeding is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Positive discrimination

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Answer

Absolute mobility

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Downward mobility

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential challenge in evaluating the effectiveness of social mobility policies?

Accepted Answer

Long-term nature of social mobility and difficulty in isolating the impact of specific policies

Answer

Unwillingness of policymakers to acknowledge failures

Answer

Lack of reliable data on social mobility trends

Question 15

A society with high levels of 'intragenerational' mobility is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Individuals experiencing significant changes in their socioeconomic status within their own lifetime

Answer

Individuals moving between different social classes across generations

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Individuals being born into and remaining in the same social class throughout their lives

Question 16

Which of the following is a primary objective of social mobility policies?

Accepted Answer

Reducing inequality of opportunity and improving social justice

Answer

Increasing economic growth exclusively

Answer

Promoting social cohesion solely

Question 17

Which theory suggests that social mobility is primarily driven by individual characteristics, such as ability and effort?

Accepted Answer

Human Capital Theory

Answer

Social Closure Theory exclusively

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Structural Functionalism solely

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Conflict Theory solely

Question 18

What is a potential positive outcome of increasing social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Reduced crime rates and social unrest

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Increased tax revenue solely

Answer

Improved international standing only

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Enhanced cultural diversity exclusively

Question 19

Which policy approach has been used to promote social mobility through education?

Accepted Answer

Early childhood interventions and accessible education

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Tax breaks for the wealthy only

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Privatization of public services exclusively

Answer

Reduced immigration solely

Question 20

What is a challenge encountered when evaluating the effectiveness of social mobility policies?

Accepted Answer

Difficulties in collecting longitudinal data and isolating the impact of individual policies

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Methodological limitations exclusively

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Ethical concerns solely

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Lack of political will only

Question 21

What is the primary role of the state in promoting social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Providing targeted support and resources to disadvantaged groups

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Promoting individualism as the sole solution

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Deregulating the labor market only

Answer

Reducing welfare benefits exclusively

Question 22

Which of the following is a criticism of meritocratic policies?

Accepted Answer

They may perpetuate existing inequalities by favoring those from advantaged backgrounds

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They are too expensive to implement only

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They can lead to social unrest solely

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They undermine individual responsibility exclusively

Question 23

What is a potential unintended negative consequence of policies aimed at increasing social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Increased social polarization and division

Answer

Increased crime rates exclusively

Answer

Diminished social cohesion solely

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Reduced economic growth only

Question 24

Which of the following policies is LEAST likely to directly address the issue of intergenerational social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Increased funding for arts and culture programs

Answer

Affordable housing initiatives

Answer

Tuition fee reductions for higher education

Answer

Expansion of early childhood education

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a potential unintended consequence of meritocratic policies aimed at promoting social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Increased social cohesion and a sense of shared destiny

Answer

Exacerbation of existing inequalities based on social capital and cultural factors

Answer

Heightened competition and pressure on individuals to succeed

Question 26

What is the primary purpose of measuring social mobility through tools like the 'social mobility index'?

Accepted Answer

To assess the extent to which individuals can move between different social strata within society

Answer

To determine the impact of specific policies on social mobility

Answer

To quantify the average income of citizens in a given country

Question 27

Which of the following is a key focus of the UK government's 'Social Mobility Action Plan'?

Accepted Answer

Improving access to education, employment, and skills for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds

Answer

Reducing income inequality through progressive taxation and welfare programs

Answer

Promoting cultural diversity and social inclusion through multicultural initiatives

Question 28

What is the key difference between 'absolute mobility' and 'relative mobility' in the context of social mobility research?

Accepted Answer

Absolute mobility measures overall upward movement in society, while relative mobility examines changes in position within the social hierarchy

Answer

Absolute mobility refers to mobility between social classes, while relative mobility refers to mobility within a social class

Answer

Absolute mobility is measured using income, while relative mobility is measured using social status

Question 29

Which of the following is an appropriate interpretation of the 'social mobility ladder'?

Accepted Answer

It represents a simplified model of social stratification that assumes a hierarchy of social classes

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It is a rigid system that prevents individuals from moving between social classes

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It accurately reflects the exact number of social classes that exist in a society

Question 30

What does the 'Great Gatsby Curve' primarily illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between income inequality and intergenerational social mobility

Answer

The relationship between education levels and social mobility

Answer

The relationship between economic growth and social mobility

Question 31

Which of the following policy measures is most likely to directly promote intergenerational social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education

Answer

Increasing the minimum wage

Answer

Lowering the voting age to 16

Question 32

Which approach to social mobility emphasizes the importance of creating equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background?

Accepted Answer

Meritocratic

Answer

Libertarian

Answer

Conservative

Answer

Socialist

Question 33

How does progressive taxation, where higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes, contribute to social mobility?

Accepted Answer

It generates revenue that can be invested in programs and services that support upward mobility, such as education and healthcare

Answer

It disincentivizes work and investment, leading to reduced economic growth and social mobility

Answer

Its benefits are primarily captured by the wealthy, who use the additional funds for personal gain

Question 34

The 'glass ceiling' effect is a form of:

Accepted Answer

Vertical social immobility

Answer

Horizontal social mobility

Answer

Absolute mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Question 35

Which of these is NOT considered a significant factor influencing social mobility in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Family religious affiliation

Answer

Parental occupation

Answer

Geographic location

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Educational attainment

Question 36

How can policies promoting affordable housing contribute to increased social mobility?

Accepted Answer

They can reduce housing costs, freeing up income for education and other opportunities.

Answer

They primarily benefit homeowners, who tend to be more socially mobile already.

Answer

They have little impact on social mobility as housing is not directly linked to income.

Question 37

What is a key criticism of the 'trickle-down' theory as a means to enhance social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Benefits concentrated at the top may not effectively reach lower income groups to improve their social standing.

Answer

It unfairly burdens the wealthy with excessive taxation, stifling economic growth.

Question 38

Investment in which area is MOST likely to have a long-term, positive impact on social mobility for disadvantaged groups?

Accepted Answer

Early childhood intervention and education programs

Answer

Tax breaks for large corporations to stimulate job growth

Answer

Increased funding for prisons and law enforcement

Question 39

How can the concept of 'social capital' help explain differences in social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Networks and connections can provide access to opportunities and resources that facilitate upward mobility.

Answer

It primarily benefits individuals from privileged backgrounds, reinforcing existing inequalities.

Question 40

Which policy measure aims to directly increase social mobility by providing financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Student loans and bursaries

Answer

Deregulation of the labor market

Answer

Tax cuts for high-income earners

Answer

Increased funding for private schools

Question 41

The 'glass ceiling' metaphor refers to:

Accepted Answer

Invisible barriers faced by women and minority groups in career advancement.

Answer

The unequal distribution of wealth in society.

Answer

The lack of opportunities for social mobility in rural areas.

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a potential unintended consequence of policies aimed at increasing social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Increased economic growth and prosperity for all.

Answer

Erosion of social cohesion and community ties.

Answer

Increased competition for limited resources.

Question 43

The concept of 'meritocracy' suggests that social mobility is primarily determined by:

Accepted Answer

Individual talent, effort, and achievement.

Answer

Inherited social status and family background.

Answer

Social networks and connections.

Answer

Government intervention and policy measures.

Question 44

Which policy approach emphasizes reducing inequality in early childhood development to promote social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Early intervention programs and universal childcare.

Answer

Increased defense spending.

Answer

Tax breaks for corporations.

Question 45

The 'cycle of poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The intergenerational transmission of disadvantage and limited social mobility.

Answer

The increasing gap between rich and poor.

Answer

The rise and fall of economic cycles.

Question 46

Which of the following is a key indicator used to measure social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational income elasticity.

Answer

Inflation rate.

Answer

Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Answer

Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Question 47

The UK government's 'Levelling Up' agenda aims to address regional inequalities and promote social mobility by:

Accepted Answer

Investing in infrastructure, education, and skills in deprived areas.

Answer

Privatizing public services.

Answer

Reducing taxes for high-income earners.

Question 48

What is the main argument for promoting social mobility?

Accepted Answer

It creates a fairer and more just society.

Answer

It leads to higher economic growth.

Answer

It reduces crime rates.

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can hinder social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Equal access to healthcare.

Answer

Discrimination based on race or gender.

Answer

Limited access to quality education.

Answer

High levels of poverty and deprivation.

Question 50

Which of the following is a key concept in understanding social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Movement between social strata

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social welfare

Answer

Social inequality

Question 51

According to the 'glass ceiling' theory, which of the following groups is more likely to encounter barriers to social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Women

Answer

Working-class

Answer

Ethnic minorities

Answer

Men

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a potential policy measure to promote social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Reducing inheritance tax

Answer

Providing affordable housing

Answer

Expanding educational opportunities

Answer

Improving labor market regulation

Question 53

Which theory suggests that social mobility is influenced by factors beyond individuals' control, such as their social background?

Accepted Answer

Structuralist theory

Answer

Meritocratic theory

Answer

Culturalist theory

Answer

Individualist theory

Question 54

Which of the following is a key finding from research on social mobility in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility has declined in recent years

Answer

Social mobility is not strongly influenced by parental income

Answer

Social mobility is higher for ethnic minorities than for white people

Answer

Social mobility is equal for men and women

Question 55

Which of the following is a recommendation from the 'Fairer Society for All' report?

Accepted Answer

Expanding access to early years education

Answer

Reducing taxes for high earners

Answer

Deregulating the labor market