1. Today: Social Stratification Theories
“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” George Sheehan, Philosopher

2. Extra Credit Options on Website
All extra credit due Dec 4th/5th (1 week before finals)
Must be typed and handed in, not ed

3. What is social stratification?
Institutionalized pattern of inequality
Some people get more access to resources than others
Reflecting inequalities in life chances 3

4. Conflict Perspective Karl Marx:
Ruling class controls the economic system for its own benefit
Exploits and oppresses the masses 4

5. Conflict Perspective Occupy Wall Street Protests

8. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Poverty persists because it performs some positive function

9. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view:
Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs
Provides jobs
Provides a market for lesser goods

10. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view
Talents are rewarded
All positions in a society (doctors - janitors) must be filled
Poverty discourages people from neglecting their social duties

11. Functionalist Perspective
Criticized because not all careers are rewarded for their value in society

12. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
1. bad economy

13. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
2. bad schools

14. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
3. family breakdown

15. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
4. problems with government assistance

16. Causes of Poverty Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors (selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job) as normal

17. Causes of Poverty Interactionist Perspective- 1st view
People get used to living in poverty
Have difficulty changing the situation
Criticized because it seems to “blame the victim”

18. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 2nd view
Labels of poor:
View of wealthy:
irresponsible
lazy
low motivation
low ability
low morals
capable
hard working
motivated
deserving of wealth
evil, greedy, undeserving

19. How has U. S. policy influenced social stratification
How has U.S. policy influenced social stratification? View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of Social Stratification

20. The American Dream-Rags to Riches
“America is the land of opportunities, anyone who works hard enough can achieve anything and accomplish any goal.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Why?
5:15-17:30

21. The American Dream-Rags to Riches
This belief called Horatio Alger myth: belief that due to limitless possibilities anyone can get ahead if he or she tries hard enough 21

22. What is social class? class/wealth power prestige
Max Weber: people who rank closely to one another in terms of:
class/wealth
power
prestige
Ability to get others to do what you want
Level of
respect an individual or their position demands
Property and income minus debt 22

23. Status consistent vs. Status inconsistent
Rank equally on all = Status Consistent Status inconsistent =not equal on all 3 measures of class
class/wealth
power
prestige
Property and income minus debt
Ability to get others to do what you want
Level of respect an individual or their position demand 23

24. What is social class? Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots”
based on the means of production
2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat
Lawyer who works for a firm and clients
Independent cab driver who owns his taxi
1818 –1883
*Bourgeois= adjective 24

25. C. Wright Mills Power Elite
Key people in three major institutions of modern society:
military
economy
government

26. Power Elite Small group of people who control a high amount of wealth
and access to decision-making of global consequence 26

27. Capitalism A Love Story
View Capitalism A Love Story
Michael Moore
Extra credit option

28. Which explanation of poverty applies best to today’s economic crisis?
a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation
b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities due to the label
c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it motivates people to seek higher rewards
d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have money and power

29. Extra Credit Opportunity Video Review
View Mammoth

30. Coming up:
Next Class: Health-Read article on website College Students’ Health