Which of the following is an example of a downward social mobility?

Downward social mobility refers to a decline in an individual's professional or socioeconomic status. In this context, the scenario of a college graduate working at a minimum wage job illustrates this concept well. The individual has completed higher education, which typically suggests a pathway to upward mobility and better job opportunities. However, ending up in a low-paying position signifies a reversal from expected outcomes, representing a significant decrease in social status.

This situation can arise for various reasons, such as economic downturns, lack of job availability in the graduate's field, or underemployment, where one’s skills and education are not adequately utilized or rewarded. Thus, this example is indicative of downward social mobility, showcasing how one's economic standing can deteriorate despite having qualifications that typically correlate with higher status.

In contrast, the other scenarios involve either upward movement or shifts that don't clearly denote a loss of status—such as promotions or sudden windfalls from lotteries—rather than a downward trajectory.