Social stratification

Learning objectives:To describe different forms of stratification based

on religion, ethnicity and class.

To understand the difference between ascribed and achieved status.

To understand the difference between open and closed systems of stratification.

To be able to define social mobility.

To be aware of the links between types of status and open/closed systems of stratification

To be able to compare different forms of social stratification

Social stratificationThis is the idea that societies are divided into hierarchies.

They are made of ‘strata’ or layers.

Each layer is unequally ranked upon the other.

Ascribed and Achieved StatusAscribed Status – social positions are fixed

at birth. - they are unchanging over time.

Achieved Status – social positions are earned on the

basis of personal talents or merits.

achieved or ascribed status?

Open & Closed Systems of StratificationOpen systems – movement up or down between the strata is possible.

Closed systems – movement up or down between the different strata is rare.

Social mobility is the movement between the strata.

In societies where status is ascribed, there is little social mobility. In societies where status is achieved, there is more movement between layers.

(1)The Caste System Existed in traditional India.

People are born into a specific caste and their social position is ascribed(fixed) at birth.

Each caste is associated with a particular occupation.

The Caste System is linked to the Hindu Religion.

Hindus believe in reincarnation and that their behaviour during their life will affect which caste they will be reborn into.

If they behave according to the rules while alive – by being ‘good in their caste’, they will be reborn into a higher caste.

Below the Sudras were ‘the untouchables’..(outcasts)….- Do the worst jobs in society

2. ApartheidExisted in South Africa (1948-1994).

Apartheid was a government policy of racial segregation.

Ethnicity was use as the basis for stratification.

It limited access to education, health, housing and employment. If you were white you got access to the best standard of these.

A person’s social position was ascribed at birth (skin colour). Black people were denied the rights and opportunities available to white people.

Black people’s life chances were poor and social mobility was limited.

3. Social ClassIn most modern societies like the UK, social class is

the main form of stratification.

Social class is based upon economic factors such as occupation (job) and income (how much you earn).

This is an open system of stratification as class position can be achieved and social mobility is possible.

A person’s life-chances will be strongly affected by their social class position.

More power, wealth, income and status

Sociologists emphasise the importance of gender, ethnicity and age in class-based societies.

eg) men and women in the same class have very different life chances in relation to pay and promotion at work.

Comparing different forms of stratificationCaste Apartheid Social Class

What is stratification based on?

Is social position ascribed or achieved?

Is the system open or closed?

Is social mobility possible?1. Why might basing status on ascription rather than

achievement be seen as unfair? (4 marks)

2. Explain two different forms of stratification (8 marks)