Soci 287 Unit 7 Study Questions

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How does class affect individual identity (both positive and negative aspects), and why is class inequality an important aspect when studying social inequality? Class affects identity by creating commonalities with people of the same class, but also creating animosity to those in a different class (in-groups and out-groups). Class identity can be liberating for some and limiting to others. Class is an important variable in assessing social inequality due to the power exerted by the upper class to keep their power at the expense of the lower classes.

How can social inequality affect your psychological functioning? Social inequality can empower those who belong to the upper class (positive self-esteem, feeling content due to having their needs met, etc), and enslave those who belong to a lower class (increase stress for not having their needs met, negative self-esteem, etc).

Compare industrial revolution working conditions of the late 1800s to early 1900s to working conditions in the Third World today. The Factory Act was enacted to provide worker’s right to the working class with rights such as age limits and limits on hours worked, which provided people with time to recover and have time for themselves instead of being forced to work all of the time.

How were people “forced” to suffer under poor working conditions (in past or current times)? As people needed (and still need) money to survive, people have been and are subjected to harsh working environments. Forced to work long hours for low wages in potentially dangerous jobs to have their needs met is a horrible position to be in. These deplorable conditions still exist in child-labour run sweatshops that manufacture many of our goods, and was everywhere during the industrial era.

How does social inequality affect people with physical or mental disabilities? Social inequality places people with disabilities on a lower “class,” and due to their conditions and make it more difficult for many to move up in the social ladder to make a good living for themselves.

Compare the relationship and reciprocal interactions of the different classes in Canada.

How are concepts such as the “American dream” or “trickle down theory” part of dominant ideology?

Provide your own example of hegemony.

What problems might you create if you use a “class reductionist” approach?

Compare and contrast class systems in the capitalist system to those in the Hindu caste system. Why would it be more difficult to break the social order in the caste system than in the capitalist system?

Why is social inequality in educational systems such a detrimental problem?

Develop an example of where you can apply strata research in social science disciplines. What are some advantages and disadvantages of this methodology?