SOCIAL

STRATIFICATION
MODULE 5
Prepared by:
Jef Lim

STRATIFICATION:
Definition:
Is an institutionalized pattern of inequality in
which social categories are ranked on the basis of
their access to scarce resources (Brinkerhoff &
White, 1988).
Is the hierarchical arrangement and establishment
of social categories that evolve into a social group
together with statuses and their corresponding
roles (Panopio et al., 1994).

STRATIFICATION:
Is a system whereby people rank and evaluate
each other as superior or inferior and, on the
basis of such evaluation, unequally reward one
another with wealth, authority, power, and
prestige. One result of each differentiation is the
creation of a number of levels within the society
(Hebding & Glick, 1992).

STRATIFICATION:
A structured ranking of entire groups of people
that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and
power in a society (Schaefer, 2005).

STRATIFICATION:
Social Stratification may be viewed as:
A. Social Structure

It is perceived as the differentiation of statuses and

social roles into ranked orders as a system of layered
hierarchy of social relationships.

B. Social Process
It can be thought of as a division of society into social
categories that develop into social groups, which are
cooperating, competing, and/or conflicting with one
another for social change.

STRATIFICATION:
Social Stratification may be viewed as:
C. Social Problem

It involves bitter feelings of discontent and

strong demands for equality or social justice.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
1. It is universal in nature.
2. It has many consequences for
individuals & to the group.
3. It is a characteristic in society.
4. It persist through generations.
5. It is supported by patterns of belief.

TYPES OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS:
A. CASTE SYSTEM
B. ESTATE SYSTEM
C. CLASS SYSTEM

TYPES OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS:
CASTE SYSTEM:
Are hereditary ranks that are usually religiously
dictated, and that tend to be fixed and immobile
(Schaefer, 2005).

Ex. The caste system in India.

TYPES OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS:
ESTATE SYSTEM:
A system of stratification under which peasants
were required to work land leased to them by
nobles in exchange for military protection and
other services (Schaefer, 2005).
Also known as feudalism.
Ex. The medieval period in Europe.

TYPES OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS:
CLASS SYSTEM:
A social ranking based primarily on economic
position in which achieved characteristics can
influence social mobility (Schaefer, 2005).

Ex. The present day stratification system in the

Philippines & U.S.

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
Definition:
Is the movement of an individual or a group
from one social class or social stratum to another
(Theodorson, 1969).

The movement of individuals or group from one

position of a societys stratification system to
another (Schaefer, 2005).

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
TYPES OF SOCIAL MOBILITY:
A. Vertical Social Mobility
B. Horizontal Social Mobility
C. Intergenerational Social Mobility
D. Intragenerational Social Mobility

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
Vertical Social Mobility:
The movement of a person from one social
position to another of a different rank (Schaefer,
2005).

Ex. A janitor becomes a doctor.

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
Horizontal Social Mobility:
The movement of an individual from one social
position to another of the same rank (Schaefer,
2005).

Ex. A driver to a construction worker.

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
Intergenerational Social Mobility:
Changes in the social position of children
relative to their parents (Schaefer, 2005).

Ex. A plumber whose father was a physician.

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
Intragenerational Social Mobility:
Changes in a persons social position within his
or her adult life (Schaefer, 2005).

Ex. A women started to work as a math

instructor eventually becomes a chairperson of
the department.

SOCIAL MOBILITY:
Depending on the circumstances that a person
may encounter in his or her lifetime -ones
position in society may go up (upward social
mobility) or may go down (downward social
mobility).

FACTORS AFFECTING
SOCIAL MOBILITY:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Level of economic development of the country.

Level of industrialization and urbanization.
Rapid expansion of the service sector.
Availability of opportunities.
Competition
Education

OPEN AND CLOSED

STRATIFICATION SYSTEM:
A. Open Stratification System
B. Closed Stratification System

OPEN AND CLOSED

STRATIFICATION SYSTEM:
Open Stratification System:
A social system in which the position of each
individual is influenced by his or her achieved
status (Schaefer, 2005).
Or there is a great presence of social mobility
within the stratification system.

OPEN AND CLOSED

STRATIFICATION SYSTEM:
Closed Stratification System:
A social system in which there is little or no
possibility of individual social mobility
(Schaefer, 2005).

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Structural-Functionalist View:
According to Kingsley Davis & Wilbert Moore,
society must distribute its members among a
variety of social positions.
It must not only make sure that these positions
are filled but also see that they are staffed by
people with the appropriate talents and abilities.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Rewards, including money and prestige, are
based on the importance of a position and the
relatively scarcity of qualified personnel.
Yet this assessment often devalues work
performed by certain segments of society
(homeworkers or low-status work in fast-food
outlets).

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
They argue that stratification is universal and
that social inequality (a condition in which
members of a society have differing amounts of
wealth, prestige, or power) is necessary so that
people will be motivated to fill functionally
important positions.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
But critics say that unequal rewards are not only
means of encouraging people to fill critical
positions and occupation.
Personal pleasure, intrinsic satisfaction, and
value orientations also motivate people to enter
particular careers.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Functionalist agree but note that society must
use some type of reward to motivate people to
enter unpleasant or dangerous jobs and
professions that require a long training period.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
However, this does not justify stratification
systems in which status is largely inherited, such
as slave or caste societies.
Furthermore, it is difficult to explain the high
salaries our society offers to professional athletes
or entertainers on the basis of how critical those
jobs are to the survival of society.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Social Conflict View:
Conflict theorist see stratification as a major
source of societal tension and conflict.
They do not agree with Davis and Moore that
stratification is functional for a society or that it
serves as a source of stability.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Conflict theorist view social inequality as neither
important nor advantageous to the welfare of
most members of society .
They view stratification as an unjust system
inflicted on society by people with a monopoly of
power and wealth to safeguard their own
interests, advantages, and power.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Furthermore, stratification highly
compartmentalizes society and strongly
promotes antagonism among the competing
social class.
Thus, stratification is seen to exploit the many
while rewarding the few.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Karl Marx (the prominent figure in conflict
theory) viewed history as a continuous struggle
between the oppressors and the oppressed,
which would ultimately culminate in an
egalitarian, classless society.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
In terms of stratification, he argued that under
capitalism, the dominant class the bourgeoisie
(the owners of the means of production or
company/industry owners) manipulates the
economic and political systems in order to
maintain control over the exploited proletariat
(the working class/the paid workers).

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Like Marx, contemporary conflict theorists
believe that human beings are prone to conflict
over scarce resources such wealth,
status/prestige, and power.
Ralf Dahrendorf has modified Marxs analysis
about social inequality and extended his class
analysis onto authority relationships.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
Dahrendorf added that the most powerful
groups in society are not only those who owns
the means of production but also those who
occupy high positions in society as well (such as
managers, legislators, heads of government
bureacracy).

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
He contends that the powerful of today wants
society to run smoothly so that they can enjoy
their privileged positions.
So they have a clear interest in preventing,
minimizing, or controlling societal conflict.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
One way for them to maintain the status quo is
to define and disseminate the societys
dominant ideology (a set of cultural beliefs
and practices that helps maintain powerful
social, economic, and political interests).

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
From a conflict perspective, the social
significance of dominant ideology is that not
only do a societys most powerful groups and
institutions control wealth and property; even
more important, they control the means of
producing beliefs about reality through religion,
education, and the media.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:
The powerful, such as leaders of government,
also use limited social reforms to buy off the
oppressed and reduce the danger of challenges
to their dominance.