SOC101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Symbolic Interactionism, Simon Kuznets, Omen
21 Aug 2013
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Social hierarchical ranking of people into social classes. Social class: based on birth and achievements in life. Based on key principles: societies redistribute materials and social rewards to individuals (food, social prestige, money) Ensures individuals who do more or are more capable receive more material wealth and social recognition. Allocates limited resources who offer greatest benefit. Meritocracy: system of rewards based on personal attributes and demonstrated abilities: system is stable overtime -> social stratification transcends any single generation. Intergenerational mobility: comparison of adult children"s social class to that of their parents. Has little relationship to skills or abilities: present in all known human societies, but varies in how it expresses itself. We are quick to judge those who achieve great wealth in unethical ways: criteria by which people are granted prestige and wealth are considered fair and just by majority of population. Results from collective decisions about what is important in evaluating a person or group.
