SOC 105 Chapter 6: Sociology- Chapter 6 Reading
Document Summary
Social inequality: a condition in which members of a society have distinct amounts of wealth, prestige, or power. Stratification: structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and powers in society. Wealth: all of a person"s material assets (land, stocks, other types of property) Systems of stratification slavery, castes, and social classes. Achieved status a social position attained by a person largely through his/her own effort. Most extreme form of legalized social inequality. An oppressive system which is that enslaved individuals are owned by other people: treat them as property or pets. Varied in the way it was practiced over centuries. Hereditary systems of rank, generally religiously dictated, and fixed and immobile. Ascribed status (at birth, children automatically assume the same position as their parents) Each one is sharply defined and members are expected to marry within that caste.