Class and the Labour Market: Impact on Work Experiences

Question 1

In Marxist theory, what is considered the primary factor determining an individual's social class?

Accepted Answer

Relationship to the means of production

Answer

Level of education

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Income

Question 2

Which theory posits that class inequalities in the labour market are primarily due to differences in human capital?

Accepted Answer

Human capital theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Marxist theory

Question 3

Which concept refers to the process by which individuals move into different class positions over time?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Class consciousness

Answer

Cultural capital

Question 4

Which of the following is a distinguishing characteristic of the working class, according to Erik Olin Wright's typology?

Accepted Answer

Engages directly in the production process

Answer

Exercises control over the means of production

Answer

Enjoys a high level of autonomy in work

Answer

Has access to extensive professional training

Question 5

What is meant by the concept of 'credentialism' in the context of class and the labour market?

Accepted Answer

The growing significance of educational qualifications for employment

Answer

The decline in the value of manual labour

Answer

The expansion of the service sector

Answer

The rise of the gig economy

Question 6

What is the primary function of trade unions in relation to addressing class inequalities in the labour market?

Accepted Answer

Negotiating improved salaries and working conditions

Answer

Providing legal protection for workers

Answer

Promoting upward social mobility

Answer

Lobbying for favourable government policies

Question 7

Which criticism is most commonly levelled against the concept of 'meritocracy' in relation to class and the labour market?

Accepted Answer

It overlooks the influence of social and economic factors on individual outcomes

Answer

It implies that everyone has equal chances of success

Answer

It perpetuates existing class divides

Answer

It devalues the importance of hard work

Question 8

Identify the factor that does NOT influence class relations within the labour market.

Accepted Answer

Genetic makeup

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Occupational status

Answer

Income level

Question 9

According to Marxist theory, which class possesses the most power in capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

Capitalist class

Answer

Working class

Answer

Middle class

Answer

Professional class

Question 10

What term describes the process where workers lose skills and are replaced by technological advancements?

Accepted Answer

Automation

Answer

Polarization

Answer

Precarization

Answer

Alienation

Question 11

Identify a criticism levelled against functionalist theories of class.

Accepted Answer

They downplay the role of conflict and power dynamics

Answer

They overemphasize the role of meritocracy

Answer

They fail to explain the persistence of poverty

Answer

They lack empirical support

Question 12

How does social class impact job opportunities in various labour markets?

Accepted Answer

Class influences opportunities via education, social networks, and market segmentation.

Answer

Class has no bearing on job opportunities.

Answer

Class only affects job opportunities in certain labour markets.

Question 13

How does class affect job opportunities in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Higher class individuals generally have greater access to desirable jobs.

Answer

Class has no significant influence on job opportunities.

Answer

Lower class individuals are limited to manual labour jobs.

Answer

Class only influences job opportunities in specific industries, such as finance.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of class inequality in the labour market?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced job satisfaction

Answer

Unequal distribution of wages

Answer

Limited social mobility

Answer

Reduced life expectancy

Question 15

Which theory of class and the labour market emphasizes the role of cultural capital?

Accepted Answer

Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction

Answer

Karl Marx's theory

Answer

Max Weber's theory of social stratification

Answer

Talcott Parsons' functionalist theory

Question 16

How is class related to working conditions in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Higher class individuals experience more favourable working conditions.

Answer

Class has no clear relationship with working conditions.

Answer

Working conditions are primarily determined by occupation and industry.

Answer

Class only affects working conditions in the private sector.

Question 17

What are the implications of class inequality in the labour market for social policy?

Accepted Answer

It suggests the need for government intervention to promote social mobility.

Answer

It implies that individuals are solely responsible for their own economic outcomes.

Answer

It has no significant implications for social policy.

Answer

Class inequality is a natural and inevitable part of society.

Question 18

How is class related to wage inequality in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Higher class individuals typically earn significantly more than lower class individuals.

Answer

Class has no significant relationship with wage inequality.

Answer

Wage inequality is primarily determined by educational attainment.

Answer

Class only affects wage inequality in certain sectors, such as finance and technology.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a way through which social class can affect people's experiences of work?

Accepted Answer

It has no bearing on their career prospects.

Answer

It has an influence on salary and compensation packages.

Answer

It has an impact on levels of job satisfaction.

Answer

It shapes working conditions and environments.

Question 20

According to Marxist theory, what is the defining characteristic of the working class?

Accepted Answer

Its relationship to the means of production.

Answer

Its income bracket.

Answer

Its level of educational attainment.

Question 21

Which of the following is a direct consequence of class inequality in the labor market?

Accepted Answer

Reduced earning potential for individuals from lower social classes.

Answer

A more cohesive and harmonious society.

Answer

Equal opportunities for all.

Answer

Increased social mobility.

Question 22

What is the term used to describe the process whereby individuals move from one social class to another?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility.

Answer

Class consciousness.

Answer

Occupational prestige.

Answer

Social stratification.

Question 23

What is the key criticism of functionalist theories of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

They fail to adequately explain the persistence of social inequality.

Answer

They promote a conservative ideology.

Answer

They do not take into account the role of conflict in society.

Answer

They rely too heavily on quantitative data.

Question 24

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of the middle class?

Accepted Answer

Employment in professional or managerial occupations.

Answer

Engagement in manual labor.

Answer

Low levels of education.

Answer

High levels of unemployment.

Question 25

What is the term used to describe the belief that one's own social class is superior to others?

Accepted Answer

Classism.

Answer

Ethnocentrism.

Answer

Sexism.

Question 26

What is the central argument of conflict theories of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Society is divided into competing groups with conflicting interests.

Answer

The middle class is the most influential class in society.

Answer

Social inequality is an inevitable part of society.