Determining social class

Social Stratification

Social Class

People who have similar position in the social hierarchy, who have similar political and economic interests.

SOCIAL INEQUALITY

SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Unequal distribution of social rewards and resources (“Good Stuff” of a society)

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Wealth

WEALTH

• The sum total of a person’s assets including what they own and their income

• Wealth is not distributed evenly throughout the US

Highest

FourthFifth

Middle

SecondFifth

Lowest

2004 Distribution of Income In US2004 Distribution of Income In US

Highest – 49.2%Highest – 49.2%Fourth Fifth- 23.2%Fourth Fifth- 23.2%Middle- 15.0%Middle- 15.0%Second Fifth- 9.0%Second Fifth- 9.0%Lowest- 3.6%Lowest- 3.6%

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Wealth

Power

POWER

• The ability to control the behaviors of others with or without their consent

• Power can be based on:– Use of force– Possession of specific skills or knowledge– Social Status– Personal Characteristics (Charismatic Authority)– Traditional Authority– Legal Doctrine (Rational-legal Authority)

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Wealth

Power

Prestige

PRESTIGE

• The degree of respect or esteem a person receives from others

• May be based upon:– Income– Education– Club membership– Family membership– Occupation

Determining Social Class

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.– Small communities.

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.– Small communities.– Everybody knows everybody.

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.– Small communities.– Everybody knows everybody.– Not usually very accurate.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.– People do not like to place themselves out of

the middle class.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.– People do not like to place themselves out of

the middle class.– Again, not very accurate.

Objective Method

• Sociologists define social class.

Objective Method

• Sociologists define social class.– Income– Occupation– Education

Objective Method

• Sociologists define social class.– Income– Occupation– Education

Least biased determination, but the problem can be with the determinants used.