SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Prepared by: Ms. Frencis Joy Panerio

WHAT IS SOCIAL STRATIFICATION?

A system by which a society ranks categories of

people in a hierarchy (Machionis, 2007)

Internal division into a hierarchy of distinct social

groups, each having specific life chances, and a

distinctive style of life (Panopio&Raymundo, 2004)

FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES:

• Social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual

differences – Neither rich nor poor people create social stratification but

the system shapes the lives of them all.

• It carries over from generation to generation

• It is universal but variable

• It involves not just inequality but beliefs as well

Social differentiation

Refers to the distinct conditions of individuals which

does not necessarily imply unequal treatment or

ranking in society.

Social inequality

Is the condition of unequal access to

what is valuable in a society

continuation

• The distinction of social rank is

based on wealth, biological

characteristics, social skills, or

money.

• This differentiation is inevitable

The caste system

Is a social stratification based

on ascription, or birth.

• A pure caste system is closed

because birth alone

determines a person’s entire

future, with little or no social

mobility based on individual

effort.

The class system

Social stratification based on both birth and individual

achievements

• Work is no longer fixed at birth but involves some

personal choice.

• Greater individuality also translates into more freedom

in selecting a marital partner.

Meritocracy Refers to social stratification

based on personal merit

• Caste societies define merit

in terms of loyalty to the

system – that is, dutifully

performing whatever job

comes with a person’s birth.

CASTE AND CLASS: THE UNITED KINGDOM

England had castelike system

of there estates during the

Middle Ages.

First Estate

The Clergy – who were thought to speak with the

authority of God

Second Estate

Hereditary nobility, making perhaps 5 percent of the

population.

Third Estate

Commoners – most commoners were serfs who worked

the land owned by nobles or the church.

Basic components of social

stratification

• Social Class

• Status – is the social standing of a person within

a social class or in the entire social stratification

system.

• Roles – pertains to the expected behaviour

patterns that corresponds with a status

Social mobility

This refers to the movement of

individuals or groups within a small

system wherein a degree of openness or closeness exists.

Social mobility is a continuous

process that involves:

• motivation

• cooperation

• competition

• conflict

Horizontal Mobility

Which is the movement from one position to another

with the same ranking.

Vertical Mobility

Which is upward or downward change in

rank