SOC101Y1 Chapter 8: Social Stratification
Social stratification: persistent patterns of social inequality within society
Position in group affects wealth (First nation): born with little power and prestige --> can't improve level
Values resources (wealth, power, prestige) are distributed and how advantages are passed
(generations)
○
Inequalities in wealth can threaten social stability --> poor demanding more equality
○
Inequalities in power can maintain social order
○
Stratification always changing (gender roles)
○
Stratification: Cornerstone of Sociology
May emerge as a result of skill differences --> may be able to control decisions
○
Exists in all so cities
○
In most societies, stratification is more pronounced, basic skills are rarely the foundation of hierarchy
○
Status: rank/position as person has within a hierarchy
▪
Ascribed: assigned at birth, function of race, gender, age --> not chosen or earned and
cannot be changed
▪
Achieved: how well someone performs in some role
▪
Meritocracy: everyone would have equal chance to compete for higher status positions and
those most capable would win rank (social mobility)
▪
Ascribed v. achieved status
○
Open: merit not inheritance determines social rank, social change is possible
▪
Closed: ex: caste system --> where individual is born determines future
▪
System has many hierarchies - some ascribed, some achieved (company fails and lays off
workers)
▪
Open and closed stratification systems
○
Material inequality overlaps other hierarchies
▪
Position of individual family within economic hierarchy along with others who have
approximately the same amount of control over or access to economic material /
resources
□
Definition of class varies (could be gender, age, etc.)
▪
Class structure: overall economic hierarch of all classes - relative stability, permeance of
social ranking
▪
Social Class
○
Social Hierarchies in Stratified Societies
Focuses on changes, i.e. industrial revolution - cities growing, extreme material inequality,
economic boom
▪
Mode: system of economic activity in a society
□
Means: major components (technology materials)
□
Models of production and social class
▪
Karl Marx: Capitalism, Exploitation, Class Conflict
○
Explanations of Social Stratification
Reading 1.8: Social Stratification
November 5, 2016
3:50 PM
READINGS Page 112
Document Summary
Social stratification: persistent patterns of social inequality within society. Position in group affects wealth (first nation): born with little power and prestige --> can"t improve level. Values resources (wealth, power, prestige) are distributed and how advantages are passed (generations) Inequalities in wealth can threaten social stability --> poor demanding more equality. May emerge as a result of skill differences --> may be able to control decisions. In most societies, stratification is more pronounced, basic skills are rarely the foundation of hierarchy. Status: rank/position as person has within a hierarchy. Ascribed: assigned at birth, function of race, gender, age --> not chosen or earned and cannot be changed. Achieved: how well someone performs in some role. Meritocracy: everyone would have equal chance to compete for higher status positions and those most capable would win rank (social mobility) Open: merit not inheritance determines social rank, social change is possible. Closed: ex: caste system --> where individual is born determines future.
