Social Mobility: Patterns, Causes, and Implications

Question 1

According to the sociological concept of social mobility, what is the movement of individuals or groups from a higher social class to a lower one?

Accepted Answer

Downward mobility

Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Answer

Structural mobility

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a type of social mobility based on an individual's efforts and accomplishments?

Accepted Answer

Ascribed mobility

Answer

Occupational mobility

Answer

Educational mobility

Answer

Income mobility

Question 3

What is the term for the process of moving from a lower to a higher social class?

Accepted Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Downward mobility

Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Structural mobility

Question 4

What is the term for the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power in society?

Accepted Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social exclusion

Question 5

What is the process by which individuals internalize and learn the values and norms of their society?

Accepted Answer

Socialization

Answer

Acculturation

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Enculturation

Question 6

What is the term for the movement of individuals within a single social status?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Vertical mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Answer

Intragenerational mobility

Question 7

What is the theory proposed by Max Weber that suggests social status is determined by economic, social, and cultural capital?

Accepted Answer

Weber's theory of stratification

Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Structural-functionalist theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a widely recognized factor that influences social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Religious affiliation

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Professional occupation

Answer

Marital status

Question 9

What is the term used to describe the large-scale movement of people from rural to urban areas?

Accepted Answer

Urbanization

Answer

Suburbanization

Answer

Counterurbanization

Answer

Gentrification

Question 10

According to the theory of structural mobility, what is the primary driver of social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Changes in the labor market structure

Answer

Shifts in the political system

Answer

Advancements in technology

Answer

Economic growth and development

Question 11

Which type of social mobility describes a change in an individual's socioeconomic standing within their lifetime?

Accepted Answer

Intragenerational mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Vertical mobility

Question 12

The concept of 'status inconsistency' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Differences in social status across various dimensions of an individual's life

Answer

Consistency of social status within a single dimension

Answer

High social status across all dimensions

Answer

Low social status across all dimensions

Question 13

Which sociological theory places emphasis on the role of power dynamics and conflict in shaping social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Social exchange theory

Question 14

The 'sorting hypothesis' suggests that individuals with similar backgrounds and abilities:

Accepted Answer

Tend to experience similar mobility patterns

Answer

Tend to experience different mobility patterns

Answer

Move up the social ladder more easily

Answer

Move down the social ladder more easily

Question 15

Which type of social mobility involves movement within the same occupational category?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal

Answer

Vertical

Answer

Intragenerational

Answer

Intergenerational

Question 16

What is the concept of 'social capital' most closely associated with?

Accepted Answer

A network of relationships that provide access to resources

Answer

Financial wealth accumulated by individuals

Answer

Cultural values that promote social mobility

Answer

Government programs aimed at reducing poverty

Question 17

The term used to describe the upward movement of individuals within the social hierarchy is:

Accepted Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Downward mobility

Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Structural mobility

Question 18

Which sociological theory emphasizes the role of competition and conflict in shaping social stratification and mobility patterns?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Structural opportunity theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Question 19

Structural mobility refers to:

Accepted Answer

Individuals relocating from rural to urban areas due to economic shifts

Answer

Individuals moving from lower to higher income brackets

Answer

Individuals changing job positions from lower to higher levels

Answer

Individuals converting from one religion to another

Question 20

The term describing the process of individuals moving down the social hierarchy is:

Accepted Answer

Downward mobility

Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Structural mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Question 21

The term that describes the movement of individuals between social groups without altering their overall social status is:

Accepted Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Downward mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Question 22

Intergenerational mobility refers to:

Accepted Answer

Social mobility that occurs between generations

Answer

Social mobility that occurs within a single generation

Answer

Social mobility that involves structural changes in society

Answer

Social mobility that does not result in a change in social status

Question 23

Upward social mobility refers to moving from:

Accepted Answer

A lower to a higher social class

Answer

A higher to a lower social class

Answer

One social class to another within the same social system

Answer

A nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle

Question 24

Which theory posits that social mobility is mainly determined by one's societal position?

Accepted Answer

Lenski's theory of social stratification

Answer

Sorokin's theory of social change

Answer

Marx's theory of class conflict

Answer

Weber's theory of bureaucracy

Question 25

Which of the following is a type of structural mobility?

Accepted Answer

Moving from a rural to an urban area

Answer

Changing jobs within the same occupation

Answer

Receiving a promotion that involves a higher salary

Answer

Marrying someone from a different social class

Question 26

The 'Great Gatsby' curve illustrates the:

Accepted Answer

Relationship between social mobility and income inequality

Answer

Relationship between upward mobility and happiness

Answer

Relationship between social class and educational attainment

Answer

Relationship between wealth and political power

Question 27

Recent research indicates that in the US, individuals raised in poverty have a:

Accepted Answer

Lower chance of upward mobility compared to those raised in wealth

Answer

Higher chance of upward mobility compared to those raised in wealth

Answer

Equal chance of upward mobility as those raised in wealth

Answer

No statistically significant difference in upward mobility

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Education

Answer

Income

Answer

Social networks

Question 29

According to the Blau-Duncan Occupational Prestige Scale, which of the following occupations has the highest prestige?

Accepted Answer

Doctor

Answer

Lawyer

Answer

Engineer

Answer

Teacher

Question 30

According to the exchange theory of social mobility, individuals move up the social ladder by:

Accepted Answer

A combination of the above

Answer

Acquiring valuable resources

Answer

Building social networks

Answer

Improving their skills

Question 31

Which of the following is an example of intergenerational social mobility?

Accepted Answer

A child becoming a doctor while their parents were teachers

Answer

A person starting a successful business after inheriting it from their family

Answer

A woman moving from a low-income neighborhood to a high-income neighborhood

Answer

A man changing careers from a lawyer to a social worker

Question 32

According to research on status attainment, which of the following factors has the strongest influence on occupational attainment?

Accepted Answer

Family socioeconomic status

Answer

Individual education level

Answer

Gender

Answer

Race

Question 33

How do personal choices and behaviors interact with structural factors to influence an individual's likelihood of downward mobility?

Accepted Answer

Personal choices and behaviors can either increase or decrease an individual's risk of downward mobility, depending on how they interact with structural factors.

Answer

Personal factors have no impact on downward mobility, which is solely determined by structural factors.

Answer

Personal factors are the primary cause of downward mobility, with structural factors playing a minor role.

Answer

Personal factors are completely unrelated to downward mobility.

Question 34

How do social mobility patterns differ across demographic groups, such as race, gender, and ethnicity?

Accepted Answer

Variations in upward and downward mobility rates

Answer

Consistent mobility rates for all demographic groups

Answer

Social mobility is solely determined by socioeconomic status

Answer

Education is the exclusive factor influencing social mobility

Question 35

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly influence social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Eye color

Answer

Occupational status

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Family income

Question 36

According to research by Blau and Duncan, which type of social mobility is most prevalent in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Intragenerational upward mobility

Answer

Intergenerational downward mobility

Answer

Intergenerational upward mobility

Answer

Intragenerational downward mobility

Question 37

Which policy initiative is primarily designed to promote upward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Government programs providing free or low-cost college tuition

Answer

Increasing military spending

Answer

Reducing welfare benefits for low-income families

Answer

Lowering taxes for high-income individuals

Question 38

What is the concept of the 'American Dream'?

Accepted Answer

It embodies the belief that anyone can achieve success and upward mobility in the United States through hard work and determination.

Answer

It is the belief that social inequality is an unavoidable aspect of society.

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can lead to downward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Unexpected inheritance of wealth

Answer

Divorce or family disruption

Answer

Chronic health conditions

Answer

Job loss or unemployment

Question 40

What term describes the upward movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy?**

Accepted Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Structural immobility

Answer

Downward mobility

Question 41

Which type of mobility involves movement between different social positions within the same social class?**

Accepted Answer

Horizontal mobility

Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Vertical mobility

Answer

Downward mobility

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential consequence of downward social mobility?**

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of poverty and social isolation

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Answer

Enhanced career prospects

Answer

Greater access to education

Question 43

How does intergenerational mobility contribute to social stratification?**

Accepted Answer

It perpetuates advantages and disadvantages across generations

Answer

It ensures equal opportunities for all individuals

Answer

It promotes social equality by breaking down class barriers

Answer

It has no significant impact on social mobility patterns

Question 44

What is the main objective of affirmative action policies?**

Accepted Answer

To promote equity and reduce barriers to social mobility

Answer

To penalize individuals from privileged backgrounds

Answer

To guarantee equal outcomes for all

Answer

To eliminate all forms of social inequality

Question 45

Which factor does NOT influence social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Social capital

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Education

Question 46

The concept of 'status attainment' refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The process of achieving social status based on individual skills and attributes.

Answer

The upward or downward movement of individuals within the social hierarchy.

Answer

The maintenance of social stratification over generations.

Question 47

According to the 'credentialism' theory, what is the primary cause of inequality in society?

Accepted Answer

Disparities in educational attainment and skill levels.

Answer

Discrimination based on race or gender.

Answer

Unequal distribution of wealth among the elite.

Question 48

The 'Great Gatsby Curve' graphically represents which of the following relationships?

Accepted Answer

The correlation between economic inequality and social mobility.

Answer

The impact of immigration on social stratification patterns.

Answer

The association between social mobility and crime rates.

Question 49

Which policy measure is designed to promote social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Universal basic income

Answer

Elimination of minimum wage laws

Answer

Reduction of government spending on social welfare programs

Answer

Implementation of a flat tax system

Question 50

The concept of 'social capital' refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The resources and connections available to individuals through their social networks.

Answer

The economic value of an individual's skills and abilities.

Answer

The cultural norms and values that shape social behavior.

Question 51

The concept of 'relative mobility' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals' social mobility should be compared to the mobility of others in their society.

Answer

Social mobility is primarily determined by individual effort and merit.

Answer

Downward mobility is more prevalent than upward mobility in most societies.