Social Stratification
Social Class
People who have similar position in the social
hierarchy, who have similar political and
economic interests.
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Unequal distribution of social rewards and
resources (“Good Stuff” of a society)
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Wealth
WEALTH
2004 Distribution of Income In US
• The sum total of a
person’s assets
including what they
own and their
income
• Wealth is not
distributed evenly
throughout the US
Highest
Fourth
Fifth
Middle
Second
Fifth
Lowest
Highest – 49.2%
Fourth Fifth- 23.2%
Middle- 15.0%
Second Fifth- 9.0%
Lowest- 3.6%
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Wealth
Power
POWER
• The ability to control the behaviors of others
with or without their consent
• Power can be based on:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Use of force
Possession of specific skills or knowledge
Social Status
Personal Characteristics (Charismatic Authority)
Traditional Authority
Legal Doctrine (Rational-legal Authority)
Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Wealth
Power
Prestige
PRESTIGE
• The degree of respect or esteem a
person receives from others
• May be based upon:
– Income
– Education
– Club membership
– Family membership
– Occupation
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is
based on ascribed status with little chance of social
mobility (Caste System)
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is
based on ascribed status with little chance of social
mobility (Caste System)
Class – Achieved
Two Types of Class Systems
Caste – Ascribed
Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is
based on ascribed status with little chance of social
mobility (Caste System)
Class – Achieved
Open System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is
based on achieved status with a chance of social mobility
(Class System)
Social Mobility:
• The ability to move up or down in social
class or strata
Social Mobility:
• The ability to move up or down in social
class or strata
– Vertical
Social Mobility:
• The ability to move up or down in social
class or strata
– Vertical
– Horizontal
Social Mobility:
• The ability to move up or down in social
class or strata
– Vertical
– Horizontal
– Intergenerational
Determining Social Class
Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
– Small communities.
Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
– Small communities.
– Everybody knows everybody.
Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
– Small communities.
– Everybody knows everybody.
– Not usually very accurate.
Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
– Place themselves in the middle class.
Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
– Place themselves in the middle class.
– People do not like to place themselves out of
the middle class.
Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
– Place themselves in the middle class.
– People do not like to place themselves out of
the middle class.
– Again, not very accurate.
Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.
Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.
– Income
– Occupation
– Education
Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.
– Income
– Occupation
– Education
Least biased determination, but the problem can
be with the determinants used.
US Class System
Upper Upper Class
•
•
•
•
•
•
Majority of the US Wealth
Old Money
Born into wealth and power
Prestigious schools
Status gives them rights to many things.
Education?
Lower Upper Class
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The “New Rich” “New Money”
Aquired wealth through own efforts
Not as prestigious
It does purchase most of the same privileges
Multiple houses, cars, vacations
“I make a lot of money listen to me!”
Education?
Upper Middle Class
• High income business and professional
• College educations minimum
• Money they make goes to large houses,
cars, and many luxuries.
• Retire early.
• Career orientated.
Lower Middle Class
•
•
•
•
•
White Collar Jobs
Not much manual labor
Lower education provides lower earnings
Small business, nursing, teacher
Comfortable life, but depends on job!
Working Class
•
•
•
•
•
•
Largest segment of America
Manual Labor
Blue-Collar jobs
Pink-Collar jobs
Few if any financial reserves
Everything depends on job, MUST!
Lower Class
• Lowest paying jobs, Minimum wage?
• Unemployed, elderly, Social Security
• Cycle of Poverty forces working class to
lower class
• Lack of education and opportunity