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What is social class?
"A status hierarchy by which groups and individuals are classified on the basis of esteem (regard, respect) and prestige (reputation, influence derived from achievements"
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What is social class determined by?
- Occcupation, education and qualifications
- Income: personal, household and per capita
- Wealth or net worth, including ownership of land, property, means of production etc
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What is the social class structure?
- Upper Class (10%)
- Middle Class (60%)
- Lower Class (30%)
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What are the socio-economic factors effecting social class?
- Occupation
- Education
- Ownership
- Income
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What are some unique class distinctions in australia?
- Geographic - urban vs rural
- Sports - e.g. rugby union (private schools - higher class) rugby league (public schools - lower class)
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Status distinctions are maintained through the observation of rituals. What are some examples of these?
- the wearing of exclusive clothes
- the possession of servants/assistants
- need for manners, speech and social
- skills as well as ancestry
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What is the Social Comparison Theory?
Individuals compare their own possessions against those of others to determin their relative social standing
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What is invidious distinction?
We buy things to inspire envy in others through our display of wealth
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What is conspicuous consumption?
Peoples desire to provide prominent visible evidence of their ability to afford luxury goods
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What is Veblens (1899) Theory of Leisure Class?
- Leisure perpetuated distinction between classes
- Ruling classes throughout history have been associated with the possession and use of leisure
- No working person could ever know true leisure - only wealthy could be called leisurely
- Idle rich exploiting poor through conspicuous consumption of leisure - labour of poor used to increase wealth of rich
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What leisure activities have the contemporary middle calss had increased participation in?
- Reading and use of library facilities
- Attend more cultural events, plays and musicals, visit museums and art galleries
- Engage in lifestyle sports (tennis, golf, sailing, snow and water skiing, outdoor activities - camping)
- Enjoy games of strategy such as bridge and chess
- More interested in education, visiting heritage sites and studying
- Travel more regularly
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What leisure activities have the contemporary working calss had increased participation in?
- Games of chance - gambling, poker, betting on races, activities around home (tv), pub
- Playing competitive team sports - boxing, football, watching wrestling, roller derby and auto demilitions
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What are the main reasons for the class divisions?
- different socialisation patterns and values
- a lack of expoure to wide range of leisure activities
- income and time
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What is a reference group?
Gourps with whom we interact and who influence our attitudes, values and behaviour
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