3.1 What is social stratification?

2026 Syllabus Objectives

This subtopic covers the following learning objectives:

3.1.1 Social stratification in open and closed societies:

  • Achieved and ascribed status
  • Poverty and wealth
  • Power
  • Social mobility
  • Meritocracy
  • Modern slavery
  • The caste system

3.1.2 Differences in life chances affected by age, gender, ethnicity and social class:

  • Life chances in: education, employment, health, housing, life expectancy

3.1.3 The intersectionality of age, ethnicity, gender and social class in understanding the impact of inequality on individuals

3.1.4 Different sociological theories on social inequality:

  • Labelling theory, e.g.: stereotypes, master status, self-fulfilling prophecy
  • Marxism, e.g.: exploitation of the proletariat, ideological control, poverty trap, reserve army of labour

Understanding Social Stratification

https://cambridgeassistant.com

🔑 Key Concepts

Social stratification is the system by which individuals and groups are ranked or graded in a hierarchy. This ranking gives some people advantages over others in society.

Social inequality refers to the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society.

Social Differentiation vs Social Stratification

Human societies have always divided functions and labour for greater efficiency. In early hunter-gatherer groups, different individuals performed tasks such as:

  • Gathering food
  • Preparing food
  • Constructing shelters
  • Watching for danger

Beyond the biological fact that women bear children, statuses (social positions a person holds) and roles (behaviors, obligations, and privileges attached to a status) are socially constructed – societies make decisions about who does what. This is called social differentiation.

Social differentiation refers to the distinction made between social groups and persons on the basis of biological, physiological, and sociocultural factors, such as sex, age, or ethnicity, resulting in the assignment of roles and status within a society.

Important distinction: Social differentiation refers only to differences in role and status. It does NOT mean some individuals are superior to others.

However, social differentiation lays the foundation for a hierarchical system where people are ranked – some are seen as superior, have greater power (the ability to achieve their own goals even when others try to prevent them), or have more possessions than others. At this point, differentiation becomes stratification.

📌 The term "stratification" is borrowed from geology, where strata are different layers of rocks laid on top of each other. Sociologists use it to describe how social groups are layered in society, with some higher than others.

Social stratification is found in all societies and is based on rules, norms, and values that can be enforced by sanctions.

Sign in to view full notes