Concept, Characteristics, and Forms of Social Stratification Quiz

Social Stratification

• Refers to the hierarchical arrangement of groups or individuals in a society based on their access to resources, power, and prestige
• Involves institutionalized inequality, where social positions are ranked according to wealth, power, and prestige

Social Differentiation

• Refers to the process of distinguishing individuals or groups based on their unique characteristics, such as education, occupation, or lifestyle
• Does not necessarily involve ranking or inequality

Key Concepts

• Status: Refers to an individual's position or rank within a social hierarchy, which determines their access to resources and opportunities
• Indicators of social stratification: Wealth, power, prestige, education, occupation, and income
• Institutionalized inequality: Refers to the way social institutions, such as education and employment, perpetuate and reinforce social inequality
• Ascribed statuses: Refers to social positions or roles assigned to individuals based on characteristics they were born with or acquired involuntarily, such as age, gender, or family background
• Power: Refers to the ability to exert control over others or resources
• Wealth: Refers to the accumulation of valuable resources, such as money, property, or assets

Sources of Income

• Ascribed status: Inheritance, which is considered an ascribed status because it is based on family background
• Examples of sources of income: Wages, salaries, investments, and entrepreneurship

Dwellings

• Categorized based on factors such as location, size, and quality, which affect the social status of their occupants

Determinants of Social Position

• To a large extent, an individual's social position is determined by their family background, occupation, and education

Attached to Power, Prestige, and Wealth

• Social status: Factor that is closely tied to power, prestige, and wealth

Achieved Statuses

• Refers to social positions or roles achieved through individual effort, talent, or merit, such as occupation or education

Prestige

• Refers to the respect, admiration, and esteem associated with a particular social position or status

Test your understanding of the concept, characteristics, and forms of social stratification systems. Explore the meaning and nature of social stratification and its impact on individuals and societies.