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Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Module 9:
Concept, Characteristics and
Forms of Social Stratification
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LU_Understanding Culture, Society and Politics_Module9
HUMSS – UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY and POLITICS
Module 9: Concept, Characteristics and Forms of Social Stratification
Second Edition, 2021
Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without written
permission from the copyright owners.
Management Team:
Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Module 9:
Concept, Characteristics and
Forms of Social Stratification
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are
also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on
how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on
any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing
each task.
Thank you.
In the previous lesson, you have examined the functions and importance of
educations in the society. You have learned that education is an essential part of
any society because this is the primary way of enlightening an individual with each
aspect of life. It is therefore a must that the school system delivers to society
individuals whose abilities have been developed sufficiently so that they are able to
assume positive and productive societal roles. Moreover, for the preservation and
enhancement of knowledge and the development of character within our given form
of society which will best prepare the individual for the conditions of extreme
novelty the near future is bringing.
This lesson will provide you with information and various activities that will
help you understand the concept, characteristics and forms of stratification
systems using sociological perspective.
After going through this lesson, you are expected to examine the concept,
characteristics and forms of stratification systems using sociological perspective.
Before going on, answer the activities below to check on what you
know about the topic. Have fun and good luck!
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Jumpstart
Activity 1:
Directions: Analyze each statement below. Write TRUE if it is correct, if otherwise
write FALSE. Place your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Discover
In all societies people differ from each other on the basis of their age, sex
and personal characteristics. Human society is not homogeneous but
heterogeneous. Apart from the natural differences, human beings are also
differentiated according to socially approved criteria. Society is divided based on
economic, social, religious and other aspects. Heterogeneity in society is called
social stratification.
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Social stratification is an inherent character of all societies. It is historical as
we find it in all societies, ancient and modern; and it is universal as it exists in
simple or complex societies. The social differentiation on the basis of high and low
is the historical heritage of all societies.
Sociologists use the term social stratification to describe the system of social
standing. There are various meanings of social stratification and is defined as
follows:
• It refers to what sociologists call it as “ institutionalized inequality” of
individual or “social injustice” due to social categories (Ariola, 2012).
• It is an institutionalized pattern of inequality in which social
categories are ranked on the basis of their access to scarce resources
Brinkerhoff & White, 1988).
• It is the way people are ranked and ordered in society (Cole, 2019).
• It 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)
• It is the hierarchical arrangement and establishment of social
categories that evolve into a social group together with statuses and
their corresponding roles. (Panopio el al., 1994)
• It is the differentiation of a given population into hierarchically
superposed classes. It is manifested in the existence of upper and
lower social layers. Its basis and very essence consist in an unequal
distribution of rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities, social
values and privations, social power and influences among the
members of a society (Sorokin, 1927).
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Indicators of Social Stratification
There are some people that are treated in another way because of the social
status, power, income, prestige and among others that they hold in their society
(Arcinas, 2016).
The individual’s position in the social structure is called status. The higher
or lower positions that come about through social stratifications are called
statuses. Statuses are not the same. One may get different statuses in different
ways. They can be ascribed or achived. Ascribed statuses are assigned or given by
the society or group on the basis of some fixed category, without regard to a
person’s abilities or performance. These include sex, family background, race, and
ethnic heritage. You did nothing to earn these statuses; you have no control over
these characteristics and no opportunity or chance to choose your family, your sex,
and your race. In the Philippines, the children of Ayala’s and the Zobel’s have
ascrived statuses (Zulueta, 2006). Whereas, achieved statuses are earned by the
individual because of his or her talent, skills, occupation and persevernace. These
include, degree or educational attainment, promotion, position, earned wealth and
the like. For example, Nora Aunor has moved up in the social ladder because of her
beautiful voice and singing talent. Prestige refers to the evaluation of status. You
have prestige according to your status. For example, being the president of the
Supreme Student Government of your school, you have the prestige of a president
whether or not you perform and carry out well the duties and responsibilities of
SSG president (Baleña et.al., 2016).
According to Max Weber, most societies would favor those with power,
prestige, status, wealth or class. According to Weber’s Component Theory on Social
Stratification, these three would determine a person’s standindig in his/her
community:
1. Sources of Income. There are different sources of income. These are the
inhereted wealth, earned wealth, profits, professional fees, salaries,
wages, private relief, among others. Wealth is everything that is owned by
a person. Inherited wealth is acquired since birth and without effort.
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Acquired wealth is achieved through ones effort either by talent, income
or by marriage. Income refers to the amount of money a person receives.
5. Location of residence. Power, prestige and wealth are also attached to the
location of residence. There is disparity of social status when one
residence is located in Forbes Park, White Plains, squatter area,
mountainous-rugged area, in subdivision and non-subdivision area.
Generally, there are three (3) known types of social stratification: open
systems, closed systems and ethnic systems ( Ariola, 2012).
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A. Open System
General
Categories
Characteristics
The class1.Upper Class – The people in this class have great wealth
structure is an and sources of income. They constitute the elite wealthy
open system. It group in the society. They have high reputation in terms of
encourages people power and prestige. They live in exclusive residential area,
to strive and belong to exclusive private clubs, and may have strong
achieve political influence in the system of government. They own
something. People several cars and properties and their children may study in
belonging to one exclusive schools.
social class have 2. Middle Class – The people in this class may belong to the
similar upper-middle class which is often made up of highly
opportunities, educated business and professional people with high
similar lyfestyles, incomes, such as doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and
attitudes, behavior CEOs or to the lower-middle class often made up of people
and possiblywith lower incomes, such as managers, small business
similar socio-owners, teachers, and secretaries. Aside from generally
economic command of high income, people belonging to the upper-
positions. middle class often have college education, live in
It is based on comfortable homes, own properties, have some money
aachievement, savings, and active in community activities. People in the
allow movement lower-middle class have not achieved the same lifestyle of
and interactionthe upper –middle class but somehow have modest income
between layersand live in simple life.
and classes. One 3. Lower Class – The lower class is typified by poverty,
person can move homelessness, and unemployment. The people in this class
up or down to belong to the bottom of socio-economic ladder. They may be
class through categorized into two: upper-lower class and lower-lower
intermarriages, class. In the upper-lower class, people are considered as the
opportunities, or working class or laborers. They have acquired little
achievement. education, little time to be involved in civic and community
People have equal activities. Some of them are underemployed, have many
chance to succeed. socio-economic problems, with lttle or no luxuries at all. The
Whether people do people in the lower-lower class are unemployed, or no
something to
source of income except by begging or dependent from
improve their lives private and government relief. Many of them live in squatter
or not this greatly areas, under the bridge, in street corridors, or with no
depends on them. house at all. Many of them are liabilities of society because
they may be involved in drug addiction and criminaliities.
B. Closed Systems
General
Categories
Characteristics
Closed system 1.Caste System – It is regarded as closed stratification
accommodates system in which people can do little or nothing to change
little change in their social standing. Social contact is rigid and clearly
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social position. defined. People are born and die in their caste. Contact
They do not allow between and among the caste is minimal and governed by a
people to shift set of rules – especially those who belong to the lower
levels and do not degree, as this will tend to bring them down.
permit social We do not practice caste sytem in the Philippines. It
relationships existed for centuries in India and this includes the
between levels. Brahmans who are associated with the priesthood, the
Kahatryias (the warriors), the Vaishyus (the businessmen
and traders), and the Shudrus (the servants).
2. Estate System – It is somewhat a closed system in which
the person’s social standing is based on ownership of land,
birth, or military strength. Individuals who were born into
one of the estates remained there throughout life but in
extreme cases there is social mobility, that is people could
change their status. In the middle ages there are three (3)
major estates in Europe – nobility, clergy, and the peasants.
C. Ethnic System
General Characteristics
This type of social stratification is based on national origin, laguage and
religion. Ethinicity sets segments of society apart and each group has a sense of
identity. People interact more freely with those people belonging to the same
ethnic category. During the Spanish and American colonial systems in the
Philippines, the colonizers perceived themselves to be occupying the upper social
class than the Filipinos or the natives whom they called as Indios.
Immigrants usually belong to a lower status than the inhabitants. The
Gaddangs, Itawis, Ituweraw, Ilonngots, and other ethnic minority groups are
considered inferior than the others.
Social mobility refers to the movement within the social structure, from one
social position to another. It means a change in social status. All societies provide
some opportunity for social mobility. But the societies differ from each other to
extent in which individuals can move from one class or status level to another.
Thus, people in society continue to move up down the status scale. This movement
is called ‘social mobility’. For example, the poor people may become rich, the bank
peon may become bank officers, farmers may become ministers, a petty
businessman may become a big industrialist and so on. At the same time a big
businessman may become a bankrupt and ruling class may be turned out of office
and so on.
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Kinds of Social Mobility
In a democratic state like the Philippines, a person can improve his social
status but the degree of mobility varies. In an open system, every individual is
provided equal opportunities to compete for the role and status derived regardless
of gender, race, religion, family background and political inclination. There are
three (3) types of social mobility: social mobility, geographical mobility, and role
mobility.
3. Role Mobility is the individual’s shifting from role to role. Every member of a
society has roles to play. Different situations call for enactment of various
roles. For example, the father is the bread earner of the family but may be a
teacher in school, or the leader at home or a follower in the school or office.
A daughter may be submissive at home but very active and active as a
campus student leader. A teacher may have varied roles such as being a
mother, a wife, a guidance counselor, a community leader and many more
(Ariola, 2012).
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Theoretical Perspective Major Assumptions/Analysis
Structural – Functionalism Stratification is necessary to induce people
with special intelligence, knowledge, and skills to
enter the most important occupations. For this
reason, stratification is necessary and inevitable.
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people interact primarily with others who share the same social standing. It is
precisely because of social stratification that people tend to live, work, and
associate with others like themselves, people who share their same income level,
educational background, or racial background, and even tastes in food, music, and
clothing. The built-in system of social stratification groups people together. This is
one of the reasons why it was rare for a royal prince like England’s Prince William
to marry a commoner. Symbolic interactionists also note that people’s appearance
reflects their perceived social standing. Housing, clothing, and transportation
indicate social status, as do hairstyles, taste in accessories, and personal style.
Explore
Enrichment Activity 1
Directions: Complete the table by listing the assumptions of the three theoretical
perspectives (Structural – Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic-Interactionism)
on social stratification. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.
Structural - Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Symbolic-Interactionism
Enrichment Activity 2
Directions: Differentiate the three social classes under open system by completing
the graphic organizer below. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.
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Deepen
Activity 1: In a separate sheet of paper copy the following questions then answer
them briefly but substantially. Your answers will be scored based on the rubrics
found on page 12.
Activity 2: Look for a person (a local figure) whom you consider very successful
today, that is he/she started as a poor person until he/she succeeded in life
(political, education, business, religious field). Write his/her success story. Use a
separate paper for your output. You will be graded based on the rubrics found on
page 12.
PHOTO
Success Story
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Process Questions:
1. Describe the life challenges that the person you choose before he becomes
successful.
2. Is the status of the successful person above ascribed or achieved? Why?
3. Does social stratification affects life chances of an invidual? Explain.
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Rubric for Scoring on Activity 1 And 2
Missing or
Below Meets Excellent
Criteria and Serious
Expectations Expectations Work
Points Assigned Problems
1 2 3
0
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Gauge
Directions: Read very carefully the questions below and choose the letter that
corresponds to your answer. Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper.
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9. Which of the states that "inequality exists because some people are willing to
exploit others"?
A. Conflict theory C. Structural-Functionalist theory
B. Social Exchange theory D. Symbolic-interactionist theory
10. A politician describes inequality as a motivator of people to fill the different
and necessary positions in society. He is using example of _________.
C. Conflict theory C. Structural-Functionalist theory
D. Social Exchange theory D. Symbolic-interactionist theory
11. Which of the states that stratification assures that the most qualified people
fill the most important positions, that these qualified people perform their
tasks competently, and that they are rewarded for the effort?
A. Conflict theory C. Symbolic interactionism
B. Structural-Functionalism D. None of the choices
12. Which of the following best describes the structural-functionalist theory of
social stratification?
A. Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others.
B. Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt.
C. Children are taught that a person's social class is the result of their
talent and effort.
D. The inequality of social classes helps assurre that the most qualified
people fill the most important positions.
13. Which of the following best describes the symbolic-interactionist perspective
of social stratification?
A. Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others.
B. Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt.
C. Children are taught that a person's social class is the result of their
talent and effort
D. The inequality of social classes helps assure that the most qualified
people fill the most important positions
14. Which describes a society where people frequently can, by acquiring skills
and working hard, move from one level of social stratification to a higher
level of social stratification.
A. closed system C. ethnic system
B. open system D. estate system
15. The child of an office clerk becomes a physician. This is an example of
_______.
A. Geographical mobility C. Social mobility
B. Intergenerational mobility D. Role mobility
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LU_Understanding Culture, Society and Politics_Module9
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Gauge
Assessment
1. D 11. B
2. B 12. D
3. A 13. C
4. A 14. B
5. A 15. C
6. C
7. D
8. A
9. A
10. A
Jumpstart
Activity 1
1. TRUE
2. FALSE
3. TRUE
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. FALSE
7. TRUE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10.FALSE
Key Answer
Answer Key
References
Printed Materials
Arcinas, Myla M. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. The
Padayon Series. Quezon City, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
Brinkerhoff, David B. and White, Lyn K. (1988). Sociology. St. Paul: West
Publishing.
Cole, Nicki L. (2019). What Is Social Stratification, and Why Does It Matter??
retrieved on October 18, 2020 (https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-social-
stratification-3026643)
Davis, Kingsley, and Moore, Wilbert E. (1945). “Some Principles of
Stratification.” American Sociological Review 10(2):242–249. Retrieved
October 16, 2020 (http://www.jstor.org/stable/2085643)
Glick, Leonard and Hebding, D. E. (1980). Introduction To Social Problems,
Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley
Panopio, Isable S. et.al. (1994). General Sociology, 3rd Edition. Quezon City:
Ken Inc.
https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/8-1-systems-of-stratification/
https://www.mcgill.ca/iris/files/iris/Panel8.2Haller.pdf
https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/8-2-explaining-stratification/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopenintrotosociology/chapter/intro
duction-to-theoretical-perspectives-on-stratification/
https://opened.cuny.edu/courseware/lesson/153/overview
https://www.scribd.com/document/318148460/Meaning-and-Nature-of-
Social-Stratification
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