Social Class and Mobility: Explore Inequality and Life Chances

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of the Marxist perspective on social class?

Accepted Answer

Class is static and unchanging.

Answer

Class is founded on economic relationships.

Answer

Class consciousness is crucial for social transformation.

Answer

Class is determined by ownership of the means of production.

Question 2

In Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction, which of the following mechanisms is seen as perpetuating social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Economic capital

Answer

Social capital

Answer

Political capital

Question 3

Which criticism addresses the functionalist perspective on social stratification?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

It presumes all societies are inherently equal.

Answer

It neglects social mobility.

Answer

It presents a static view of society.

Question 4

Define 'positional closure' in relation to social class.

Accepted Answer

The process of excluding individuals from positions or resources based on their social class background.

Answer

The idea of distinct and separate social classes.

Answer

The belief in the impossibility of social mobility.

Answer

The tendency for people to marry within their own social class.

Question 5

What is the concept of 'social mobility traps'?

Accepted Answer

Situations where individuals are unable to move up or down the social ladder despite their efforts or qualifications.

Answer

Government policies that restrict social mobility.

Answer

The idea that social mobility is a zero-sum game.

Answer

The tendency for people to move back and forth between different social classes.

Question 6

According to Karl Marx, which class drives social change?

Accepted Answer

Proletariat

Answer

Bourgeoisie

Answer

Feudal lords

Answer

Peasantry

Question 7

What does the concept of 'intersectionality' imply in the context of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Different forms of inequality, such as race, gender, and class, are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.

Answer

Social inequality is primarily caused by a single factor.

Answer

Individuals move between social classes through a specific process.

Answer

Social inequality inevitably decreases over time.

Question 8

Define 'cultural lag'.

Accepted Answer

Cultural norms and values sometimes change more slowly than economic conditions.

Answer

Culture is the primary factor driving economic development.

Answer

Culture changes rapidly in response to technological advancements.

Answer

Culture is passed down from one generation to the next through a specific process.

Question 9

Which of the following is **not** a primary determinant of social class?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Question 10

According to Max Weber, which of the following is NOT a key dimension of social class?

Accepted Answer

Gender

Answer

Wealth

Answer

Prestige

Answer

Education

Question 11

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of social structures and institutions in shaping social class?

Accepted Answer

Structural functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 12

Which concept refers to the process by which individuals or groups change their social class position?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social capital

Answer

Social reproduction

Question 13

Which measurement of social class combines information on occupation, income, and education?

Accepted Answer

Socioeconomic index (SEI)

Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

Social mobility index

Answer

Occupations Prestige Scale

Question 14

Which theory suggests that social class is a result of ongoing conflicts and struggles for power within society?

Accepted Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Interactionist theory

Answer

Weber's theory

Question 15

Which of the following is not typically used as an indicator of social class?

Accepted Answer

Skin colour

Answer

Income

Answer

Wealth

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Personality

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Question 17

According to Marxist theory, which class in capitalist society owns and controls the means of production?

Accepted Answer

Bourgeoisie

Answer

Proletariat

Answer

Petite Bourgeoisie

Answer

Lumpenproletariat

Question 18

Which sociological perspective suggests that social mobility is largely influenced by individual meritocracy?

Accepted Answer

Functionalist

Answer

Conflict

Answer

Symbolic Interactionist

Answer

Feminist

Question 19

Which of the following is a widely accepted indicator of social mobility in a society?

Accepted Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Life expectancy

Answer

Infant mortality

Answer

GDP per capita

Question 20

Which critique of the functionalist perspective on social stratification emphasizes the role of conflict and power?

Accepted Answer

Ignores the influence of conflict and power in upholding social inequality

Answer

Assumes social mobility is universally beneficial

Answer

Overlooks the experiences of marginalized groups

Answer

Relies on outdated assumptions about human nature

Question 21

Which term describes the movement of individuals or groups up or down the social hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social change

Answer

Economic growth

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a potential barrier to upward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

High levels of motivation

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Limited access to education

Answer

Family background

Question 23

In what way does the education system contribute to the persistence of social class inequalities?

Accepted Answer

By categorizing students into academic tracks based on their abilities, which frequently correlate with social class.

Answer

By granting students from all socioeconomic backgrounds equal access to educational opportunities.

Answer

By preparing students from working-class backgrounds for in-demand labor market skills through vocational training.

Answer

By offering financial aid to students from低收入 families, enabling them to cover educational costs.

Question 24

How have technological advancements impacted social mobility in recent years?

Accepted Answer

Increased opportunities for upward mobility through new tech jobs

Accepted Answer

Contributed to downward mobility due to automation and job loss

Answer

Had no significant impact on social mobility patterns

Answer

Increased social mobility only for individuals with tech skills

Question 25

Which theory of social stratification suggests that society is divided into distinct classes based on their control over productive resources?

Accepted Answer

Marx's Theory

Answer

Weber's Theory

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Answer

Interactionist Theory

Question 26

Which of the following is an example of downward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Losing a high-paying job

Answer

Retiring from a career

Answer

Getting promoted at work

Answer

Marrying into a wealthy family

Question 27

What is the term for the process by which individuals move from one social class to another?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social cohesion

Answer

Social reproduction

Question 28

Which factor is considered the most significant influence on an individual's life chances?

Accepted Answer

Family background

Answer

Education

Answer

Personal ability

Answer

Luck

Question 29

What is the term for the process by which social inequalities are passed on from one generation to the next?

Accepted Answer

Social reproduction

Answer

Socialisation

Answer

Social selection

Answer

Social closure

Question 30

What is the main argument of the functionalist theory of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality is necessary for the stability of society

Answer

Social mobility is essential for social progress

Answer

Social class is the result of individual merit

Answer

Social stratification is the product of historical and cultural factors

Question 31

Identifying individuals based on social class to allocate resources and opportunities raises ethical concerns about what?

Accepted Answer

Fairness and justice

Answer

Economic growth

Answer

Social order

Answer

Political stability

Question 32

How do the dimensions of social class, gender, and race intersect to shape an individual's social experiences?

Accepted Answer

The intersection of these dimensions creates a complex system that shapes individuals' opportunities and experiences.

Answer

These dimensions operate independently, with no influence on each other.

Answer

Social class is the most important factor, while gender and race play a lesser role.

Answer

Social class has no impact on the stratification of gender and race.

Question 33

Which term refers to the systemic obstacles that prevent individuals from **underprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds** from achieving upward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Structural mobility barriers

Answer

Social exclusion

Answer

Glass ceiling

Answer

Status inconsistency

Question 34

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Marxist perspective on social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Class struggle is the driving force of social change.

Answer

Social mobility is largely determined by individual factors.

Answer

Social class is primarily determined by occupational status.

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of downward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

A doctor loses their license and is unable to practice medicine.

Answer

A student graduates from university and gets a high-paying job.

Answer

A factory worker gets promoted to supervisor.

Answer

A homeless person finds stable housing and employment.

Question 36

Which of the following sociological perspectives emphasizes the subjective experiences and meanings associated with social class?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Rational choice theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Question 37

Which of the following criticisms suggests that defining social class based solely on objective measures is problematic?

Accepted Answer

It ignores the social and cultural factors that shape individuals' experiences and self-perceptions.

Answer

It fails to account for the fluidity of social mobility.

Answer

It assumes that social class is a static and unchanging category.

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Increased social cohesion

Answer

Reduced access to education and healthcare

Answer

Increased crime and social unrest

Answer

Diminished life expectancy

Question 39

Which of the following types of social mobility refers to a change in social class position within a single generation?

Accepted Answer

Intra-generational mobility

Answer

Inter-generational mobility