social stratification
1 Social stratification – the structured ranking of peoples’ position in society = Status
A) Stratification depends on social differentiation – process by which members of a society are divided according to their roles (plumber, doctor, housewife)
B) Helps society become more efficient – know your place and role
C) Nature and nurture both have a role
1) Men can’t be “moms”
2) Dr. Ben Carson-like stories
2 Three methods or components of stratification
A) Economic
1) Income – what people earn
(a) Usually measured by salary
(b) Does not consider other issues like expenses, taxes, comparative value
2) Wealth – what people own
(a) Includes investments, property and other tangible items
(b) Is not usually “liquid” – readily converted to currency
(c) http://xkcd.com/980/huge/#x=-10966&y=-6228&z=5
B) Prestige – social respect and admiration we associate with a status
1) Is intangible – the value is a perception, however it is…
2) Symbolized by tangible items – trophies, degrees, cars
3) The values of the society determines the extent of prestige (how prestigious)
4) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/arts/music/grammy-awards-celebrate-blush-of-youth.html?hp&_r=0
C) Power – ability of people to realize their will over others http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/pope-benedict-xvi-says-he-will-retire.html?hp 1) Cultural norms determine the extent and nature to which power is exercised
2) The powerful usually dominate in conversation (control its direction)
3) Ex. - Waiting time – more powerful can make the inferior wait
3 Two types of status
A) Ascribed – status over which one has no control
B) Achieved – allocated according to ability and talent – Horatio Alger stories http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2013/02/military-new-medal-for-drone-pilots-outranks-bronze-star-021313/ 4 Open and closed systems - the ease with which an individual can move within the strata
A) Open systems – where individuals can move (change their status)
A) Stratification depends on social differentiation – process by which members of a society are divided according to their roles (plumber, doctor, housewife)
B) Helps society become more efficient – know your place and role
C) Nature and nurture both have a role
1) Men can’t be “moms”
2) Dr. Ben Carson-like stories
2 Three methods or components of stratification
A) Economic
1) Income – what people earn
(a) Usually measured by salary
(b) Does not consider other issues like expenses, taxes, comparative value
2) Wealth – what people own
(a) Includes investments, property and other tangible items
(b) Is not usually “liquid” – readily converted to currency
(c) http://xkcd.com/980/huge/#x=-10966&y=-6228&z=5
B) Prestige – social respect and admiration we associate with a status
1) Is intangible – the value is a perception, however it is…
2) Symbolized by tangible items – trophies, degrees, cars
3) The values of the society determines the extent of prestige (how prestigious)
4) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/arts/music/grammy-awards-celebrate-blush-of-youth.html?hp&_r=0
C) Power – ability of people to realize their will over others http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/pope-benedict-xvi-says-he-will-retire.html?hp 1) Cultural norms determine the extent and nature to which power is exercised
2) The powerful usually dominate in conversation (control its direction)
3) Ex. - Waiting time – more powerful can make the inferior wait
3 Two types of status
A) Ascribed – status over which one has no control
B) Achieved – allocated according to ability and talent – Horatio Alger stories http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2013/02/military-new-medal-for-drone-pilots-outranks-bronze-star-021313/ 4 Open and closed systems - the ease with which an individual can move within the strata
A) Open systems – where individuals can move (change their status)