Review Sheetexam 3

Sociology 106Section 1Spring 2004

Review SheetExam 3

Chapter 8

Understand the relative distribution of wealth and income among different segments of the U.S. population.
What is the trend in income distribution in the U.S. since World War II?
Know the conclusions of Mills' and Domhoff's studies of the power elite.
What are the primary sources of prestige and how important is it to Americans?
Be able to define and identify examples of status inconsistency and contradictory class locations.
Be able to identify some of the primary characteristics of each of the social classes in the U.S.

capitalist (old money, new money), upper middle, lower middle, working class, working poor, underclass

How does social class affect family life, politics, religion, and illness/health care in the U.S?
Define and be able to identify examples of each of the three types of social mobility.

intergenerational, structural, exchange

How many Americans live in poverty? How does this compare to other advanced societies?
Which social characteristics are most strongly correlated with poverty?
Understand the dynamics of poverty. (How long does it last?)
Compare the individual and structural explanations of poverty and know which is supported by sociological research.
What are the social functions of the Horatio Alger myth.

Chapter 9

Know the myths about race discussed in the text and why they are false.
Be able to distinguish between racial and ethnic groups.
What are the characteristics of a minority group?
Know the relationship (and difference) between prejudice and discrimination.
What social characteristics are correlated with prejudice?
Be able to distinguish between individual and institutional discrimination and know the relative consequences of each.
Understand the basic concepts and applications of each of the sociological theories of prejudice.

functional theory (Sherif's study), conflict theory (split labor market, reserve labor market), interactionist theory (selective perception, self-fulfilling prophecy)

Know the characteristics of each of the patterns of intergroup relations and their social consequences.

genocide, population transfer, internal colonialism, segregation, assimilation, multiculturalism/pluralism

What is the relationship between rising expectations and civil strife?
Know the relative size and socioeconomic status of each of the minority groups in U.S.

African-, Asian-, Latino-, Native- Americans

Chapter 10

Be able to distinguish between sex and gender.
Why are women considered a minority group?
Be able to identify gender inequalities in education, healthcare, and workplace/income.
Know the conclusions of Fuller's and Schoenberger"s study of male and female incomes.
Define and be able to identify examples of sexual harassment.
Know the definition and frequency of date (or acquaintance) rape and how it compares with stranger rape.
What accounts for the political under-representation of women in the U.S.?
Define the concept of the social construction of aging and be able to identify examples.
What is the current life expectancy for males and females born in the U.S. today?
What proportion of the American population is currently over 65 years of age?
Define ageism and know its consequences.
Understand the basic concepts and applications of functional and conflict perspectives on aging.

disengagement and activity theories

intergenerational conflict, dependency ratio

Chapter 11

Be able to identify the basis of the 3 types of authority (traditional, rational-legal, charismatic).
Know the difference between direct and representative democracy.
What is the trend in voter turnout in the U.S.?
Be able to identify examples of lobbyists, special interest groups, and PACs.
What events caused PACs to develop and what effect do they have on the political process?
Know the characteristics of the power elite identified by C. Wright Mills.
How can we understand the behavior of the ruling class identified by William Domhoff?
Know the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors of the economy.
What are the characteristics of a postindustrial economy?
What is the trend in workers' average earnings in the U.S.?
Know the difference between laissez-faire capitalism and welfare or state capitalism.
Be able to identify examples of each type of economic system (capitalist, socialist, democratic socialist).
What are the primary criticisms of capitalist and socialist economic systems?
Know the main thesis of convergence theory.