📚 Learning Guide
Social Mobility Dynamics
hard

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concepts of downward and horizontal mobility in relation to educational attainment?

Master this concept with our detailed explanation and step-by-step learning approach

Learning Path
Learning Path

Question & Answer
1
Understand Question
2
Review Options
3
Learn Explanation
4
Explore Topic

Choose the Best Answer

A

A college graduate who takes a job as a waiter due to a lack of available positions in their field, thereby experiencing horizontal mobility.

B

A high school dropout who becomes a successful entrepreneur and increases their social status, illustrating upward mobility.

C

An individual who loses their job due to company downsizing and has to take a lower-paying job in a different field, representing downward mobility.

D

A person who shifts from one similar job to another with no significant change in income or status, demonstrating horizontal mobility.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

Downward mobility happens when a person or group moves to a lower social status, often due to losing a job or not achieving the same level of education as before. For example, if a student who graduates from high school decides to drop out of college and takes a job that pays less than what they could have earned with a degree, that is downward mobility. On the other hand, horizontal mobility refers to moving within the same social class without a change in status, like a college graduate switching from one job to another that pays about the same amount. For instance, if a graduate leaves a teaching job to work in a different school but still earns the same salary, that shows horizontal mobility. Understanding these concepts helps us see how education affects people's lives and opportunities.

Detailed Explanation

This example shows downward mobility. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests a change in job but not in status; This scenario shows someone improving their situation.

Key Concepts

downward mobility
horizontal mobility
educational attainment
Topic

Social Mobility Dynamics

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

Ready to Master More Topics?

Join thousands of students using Seekh's interactive learning platform to excel in their studies with personalized practice and detailed explanations.