SOC 101 1st Edition Lecture 9 Outline of Last Lecture I. ConservativismII. Libertarianism III. FascismIV. American Ideologies Outline of Current Lecture II. Stratification SystemIII. Class TheoriesIV. Social ClassV. Class CharacteristicsVI. Is Wealth The Problem?VII. Durkheim and ExcessVIII. What Motivates People To Excel?Current LectureStratification System- A system that ranks entire groups of people and perpetuates unequal rewards and life chances in society- Economic classes, status groups, race & ethnicity, sex & gender, ageClass Theories- StrFunc: o Social inequality is ubiquitous and unavoidable, necessary for order, people fall out according to ability and importance of skill o Conflict inequality is neither necessary nor a source of social orderSocial Class- Group of people who share a similar economic position in society, based on wealth and income- Divisions based on ties to the economy- Commonly known as:o Upper class – top 5%o Middle class – 45%o Working class – 35%o Lower (under) class – 15%These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Class Characteristics - Upper class – most secretive, protect and pass on privilege- Middle class – most likely to believe in upward mobility, value education- Working class – vulnerable to economic downturns, waged pay, value work w/hands- Poor – poverty dominates all aspects of life, suffer barriers to resources, health care and educationIs Wealth The Problem?- In the US people self-segregate into class-based neighborhoodso Separation of classes  decreased empathy- Studies on the wealthy indicate character issueso Most entitled, narcissistic, most likely to cheat, steal and lie- Studies indicate that legislators respond to wealthy constituents and ignore lower class constituents Durkheim and Excess- Human nature as greedy and immature – the more we have the more we want o More money to a point increases happinesso Happy countries are the most equal- Two dimensions of balances societyo Regulation – we must know our limits and live within themo Integration – we must feel a belonging and obligation to others, our well-being depends on our relationships What Motivates People To Excel?- Social science evidence indicated that more money does not equal better performance- The (inverted) U curveo Reduce survival stresses, they do a good jobo Pay people too much and they do a worse