What is Class? - Definition, Measurement, and Relationship with Other Forms of Social Stratification

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a widely accepted definition of social class?

Accepted Answer

A group of people who share a similar cultural background

Answer

A group of people who share a similar economic status

Answer

A group of people who share a similar level of power

Answer

A group of people who share a similar level of education

Question 2

Which of the following is a fundamental tenet of the Marxist theory of class?

Accepted Answer

Class divisions are determined by ownership of the means of production

Answer

Class is determined by cultural capital and social status

Answer

Class is based on educational attainment and occupational prestige

Answer

Class is defined by ethnic and racial identities

Question 3

Which of the following is a key distinction between class and status?

Accepted Answer

Class is primarily based on economic resources, while status is based on social honor and prestige

Answer

Class is inherited, while status is achieved through individual efforts

Answer

Class is more important than status in determining life chances

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between class and status

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies social mobility?

Accepted Answer

An individual moving from a low-income household to a high-income household

Answer

A person relocating from a rural village to an urban metropolis

Answer

An individual identifying as non-binary after previously identifying as male

Answer

A person converting from one religion to another

Question 5

Which of the following is **not** a common definition of class?

Accepted Answer

A group of people with similar political beliefs

Answer

A group of people with similar economic resources

Answer

A group of people with similar social status

Answer

A group of people with similar cultural values

Question 6

Which of the following is a **key** characteristic of social class?

Accepted Answer

It can change over time.

Answer

It is based solely on birth.

Answer

It is determined exclusively by an individual's achievements.

Answer

It is always hierarchical.

Question 7

According to the Marxist perspective, which of these is a defining characteristic of class?

Accepted Answer

Relationship to the means of production

Answer

Level of education

Answer

Cultural practices

Answer

Occupational prestige

Question 8

Which of these methods for measuring class relies on individuals' own perceptions?

Accepted Answer

Self-identification

Answer

Income

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Education

Question 9

To gain an in-depth understanding of the subjective experiences and perspectives of individuals from different social classes, which research method is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic fieldwork with participant observation and interviews

Answer

Quantitative surveys with closed-ended questions

Answer

Historical analysis of archival documents and texts

Question 10

The concept of 'cultural capital' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The cultural resources and practices that are associated with different social classes

Answer

The knowledge and skills acquired through formal education

Answer

The economic resources that are inherited from one generation to the next

Answer

The social networks and connections that are available to individuals based on their class position

Question 11

The concept of 'intersectionality' in class analysis emphasizes the:

Accepted Answer

Interconnected nature of different forms of social stratification, such as class, race, and gender

Answer

Importance of class as the primary determinant of life chances

Answer

Homogeneity of class experiences within different social groups

Answer

Irrelevance of individual identity in shaping social outcomes

Question 12

The concept of 'class struggle' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The conflict between different social classes over economic and social resources

Answer

The competition between individuals within the same social class for status and recognition

Answer

The process of social mobility between different social classes

Answer

The gradual erosion of class distinctions over time

Question 13

How does class intersect with other forms of social stratification, such as race, gender, and ethnicity?

Accepted Answer

Class interacts with race, gender, and ethnicity, shaping unique experiences of privilege and oppression.

Answer

Class is the primary determinant of social inequality, overshadowing the effects of other factors.

Answer

Class exists independently of other forms of social stratification, with no mutual influence.

Answer

Class is solely related to economic inequality, with no connection to other social factors.

Question 14

According to Max Weber's theory of social stratification, which type of power is most closely associated with class?

Accepted Answer

Economic power

Answer

Political power

Answer

Ideological power

Answer

Military power

Question 15

The relationship between class and other forms of social stratification, such as race and gender, can be described as:

Accepted Answer

Intersectional

Answer

Independent

Answer

Linear

Answer

Hierarchical

Question 16

The term 'hidden labor' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Unpaid domestic work

Answer

Informal employment

Answer

Exploitative labor practices

Answer

Cognitive labor

Question 17

Social mobility refers to:

Accepted Answer

Movement between socioeconomic groups

Answer

Changes in social status

Answer

Intergenerational class differences

Answer

Intragenerational class changes

Question 18

Which of the following is **not** considered a key indicator of social class?

Accepted Answer

Culture

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Occupation

Question 19

What is the relationship between class and race?

Accepted Answer

Class and race are interconnected

Answer

Class and race are completely separate

Answer

Class is a more important factor than race

Answer

Race is a more important factor than class

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a reputational class?

Accepted Answer

Celebrity class

Answer

Working class

Answer

Middle class

Answer

Upper class

Question 21

What is the concept of 'cultural capital'?

Accepted Answer

The knowledge and skills that are valued in a particular social class

Answer

The economic resources that are available to a particular social class

Answer

The amount of time that is spent on education

Answer

The type of work that is performed

Question 22

Identify the key aspect that forms the foundation of Max Weber's theory of class.

Accepted Answer

Economic power and status

Answer

Class consciousness and political power

Answer

Cultural capital and lifestyle

Answer

Social mobility and educational attainment

Question 23

Who is credited with developing the concept of 'cultural capital'?

Accepted Answer

Pierre Bourdieu

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Emile Durkheim

Question 24

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the fluidity and dynamic nature of class?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Structural functionalism

Answer

Marxism

Answer

Critical theory

Question 25

Define the term 'class consciousness'.

Accepted Answer

An individual's understanding and awareness of their position within the class structure

Answer

The values and beliefs shared among members of a particular class

Answer

The level of organization and political activism within a class

Answer

The social and economic factors that determine an individual's class position

Question 26

Which of the following is the most widely accepted definition of social class?

Accepted Answer

A group of people who share similar economic resources and life chances.

Answer

A group of people who share similar values and beliefs.

Answer

A group of people who share similar social networks.

Answer

A group of people who share similar political affiliations.

Question 27

According to Marxist theory, which class is considered to hold the most power in capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

The capitalist class

Answer

The working class

Answer

The middle class

Answer

The professional class

Question 28

How is social class related to other forms of social stratification, such as race and gender?

Accepted Answer

Class can intersect with race and gender to create multiple and overlapping forms of inequality.

Answer

Class is unrelated to race and gender, as they are distinct and separate forms of social stratification.

Answer

Class is dominant over race and gender, as it is the most important factor in determining life outcomes.

Answer

Race and gender are dominant over class, as they have a greater impact on life experiences.

Question 29

How does social class intersect with other forms of social stratification, such as race and gender?

Accepted Answer

Class inequalities can intensify or mitigate inequalities based on race and gender.

Answer

Race and gender have no significant impact on class experiences.

Answer

Class is always the most dominant factor in shaping life outcomes.

Answer

Social class is outdated as a concept in contemporary society.

Question 30

According to the functionalist perspective on social class, what is the assumed function of class inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining social stability and order

Answer

Promoting social conflict and change

Answer

Rewarding individual achievement and merit

Answer

Creating a sense of class consciousness and solidarity

Question 31

How do symbolic boundaries contribute to the maintenance of social class distinctions?

Accepted Answer

By creating social distance and separation between different class groups

Answer

By promoting shared values and beliefs within class groups

Answer

By preventing downward social mobility

Answer

By having no impact on class relations

Question 32

Which of the following is the most widely accepted definition of social class?

Accepted Answer

A social group characterized by shared economic resources and life chances.

Answer

A social group defined by common values and beliefs.

Answer

A social group distinguished by similar educational backgrounds.

Answer

A social group connected through similar social networks.