Question

Richard is a union janitor who makes quite a bit more money than many of the tenants in the building he maintains. Lenski would note that Richard’s high income but low occupational prestige demonstrates a condition of ________.

Answer 1

Answer: Lenski would note that Richard’s high income but low occupational prestige demonstrates a condition of STATUS INCONSISTENCY.

Explanation: As the word inconsistency means an incompatibility between two propositions. Status inconsistency is defined as a situation whereby an individual's social position is incompatible with their social status. An example is given in the question, a janitor usually is associated with low pay. When a janitor is associated with high pay, it is termed status inconsistency. Because the social position is not compatible with the social standard.

When individuals experience status inconsistency, their likely choice of behaviiur is to claim the higher status.