Sociology As For Aqa - Social Class.

Front 1

What is social class?

Back 1

Social class is a system in society which categorises people in terms of waelth, upbringing, ethnicity and gender. The upper classes are those with more power, rights and oppourtunities.

Front 2

Which sociologists have perspectives on social class?

Back 2

Mike Savage et al - believes that social classes are becoming fragmented. Especially in the middle class. Believes it is difficult to categorise anyone, anymore because we now live in a scoiety of relative affluence and people are free to choose from a range of leisure activities and occupations.
John Scott - identified connections within the upper class such as the 'old boy network'. In which upper class children have connections to job opportunities beyond school.
Pierre Bourdieu - Believes firmly that there are still social classes and that each has its own distinct norms, values and leisure activities.

Front 3

What evidence is there to support the theory that there is a class system?

Back 3

- The ONS scale has been published by government which lists people in terms of occupation from class 1 to 8.
- The top 5% of the population own 72% of the UK's wealth.
- Each class still has its own distinct leisure activities.
- There are stereotypes of each class.
- Middle and working class children go to state schools and upper class children go to private schools.

Front 4

What evidence is there to support the theory that social class is breaking down?

Back 4

- Class mobility is frequent.
- The middle class is so large and diverse that it cannot be classified.
- Most people now refer to themselves as middle class.
- Mike Savage's studies concluded that most see themselves as 'outside class'.

Front 5

What are the three main classifications within the upper class?

Back 5

Landowning aristocrats - large land owners.
Entrepreneurs - members of the upper who have achieved their wealth through business, many having moved up from other classes.
Jet set - celebrities and other well-known personalities who have also achieved upward class mobility. Such as Elton John and Mick Jagger.

Front 6

What are the three main classifications within the middle class according to Roberts (2001)?

Back 6

Postmodern - such as artists, 'yuppies' and other diverse lifestyles.
Ascetic - modest wealth and accomodation but articulate and well read.
Managerial - managers and government officials, usually very conventional.

Front 7

What are the typical leisure activities, norms and values of the three main social classes?

Back 7

Upper class - exclusive events, hunting, shooting etc...
Middle class - diverse but usually take part in most sports, days trips and holidays.
Working class - various hobbies and recreational activities