Understanding

Culture, Society, and

Politics
Quarter 2 – Module 4:
Characteristics of Different
Systems of Stratifications
 Let Us Learn
The people who live in a society belong to a certain categorization which is primarily
based on wealth, power, education, and influence. Many believe that this categorization is a
form of inequality which comes in different forms. What are the roots and forms of this social
stratification? This question and many more will be discussed in this module.

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. identify the concepts, characteristics, and forms of stratification system; and
2. explain the concepts, characteristics and forms of stratification systems
using sociological perspectives.

Let Us Try
Read the following items carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer and
write it on a separate sheet.

1. Society is stratified through .

A. Age, gender, population, religion
B. Prestige, strength, abundance, race
C. Sex, age, strength, wealth
D. Prestige, nationality, society, faith

2. What is the element behind closed caste systems?

A. Much were outlawed.
B. They only live in rural areas.
C. They are controlled by secret governments.
D. People do not modify their social roles.

3. What factor opened up class systems?

A. Humans are more open-minded.
B. They do not have layers that are specifically defined.
C. Individuals make shared access between the groups.
D. People within their class are allowed to socialize.

4. Which of these systems enables the most social mobility to take place?
A. Caste System
B. Class System
C. Estate System
D. Slavery System
5. What argument shows the continuity of low status?
A. A celebrity actress owned homes in three nations.
B. In a modest rural home, a suburban family lives and enjoys a pleasant
vacation each summer.
C. A single mother is getting food rations and is struggling to find appropriate
employment.
D. In its first year, a college dropout starts an online business that raises
millions.

6. What is the transferring of individuals or groups from one social class to another?
A. Caste System
B. Class System
C. Social Mobility
D. Social Stratification

7. In what system does the membership at birth is ascribed?

A. Caste System
B. Estate System
C. Class System
D. Slavery System

8. Who belongs to the caste system amongst the following people?

A. Jay, who would like to get married after college.
B. Arman, who is expected to marry a member of their family friend.
C. Jessica, who is free to marry whoever she likes.
D. Leni, who has no desire to marry at all.

9. In what system does merit or effort status is obtained?

A. Caste System
B. Estate System
C. Class System
D. Meritocracy System

10. Which of the following is an example of social mobility?

A. Communicating with elite people.
B. Going for a country tour.
C. Purchasing a budget-friendly mobile phone.
D. Move from the middle class to the lower class.

11. What form of social stratification system accommodates no change to social

status?
A. Open System
B. Closed System
C. Caste System
D. Class System
12. The American sociologist who described the social stratification as characterized
by means of social, ancient, universal, diverse form and consequential was
.
A. Kingsley Davis
B. Melvin Tumin
C. Raymond Murray
D. Radcliffe-Brown

13. Which element of social stratification that the social roles, such as both parents,
are decided and differentiated from each other by combining a distinctive role?
A. Rewarding
B. Ranking
C. Status Differentiated
D. Evaluation

14. What form of social stratification system that focuses and allows layers and
classes to move and interact?
A. Open System
B. Closed System
C. Caste System
D. Class System

15. What type of social mobility that refers to the transfer of people located at the
same level from one social group to another?
A. Vertical Mobility
B. Horizontal Mobility
C. Upward Mobility
D. Downward Mobility
 Let Us Study

Identify if the statements below describe stratification either from the perspective of
a closed or open system. Write only the letter that corresponds to the definition in the square
diagram if it belongs to a closed system, while in the circle diagram if it is under an open
system.

A. An outcast person who is unable

to find a work or job

B. A person was stuck on the place

that he or she was born.
CLOSED SYSTEM C. The government or other social
institutions do not control these
groups.

D. Through your decisions, a change

of status can be accomplished.

E. There is a chance to move from

one social class to another.

F. In this system, any ascribed status

such as heritage, ethnicity, sex,
OPEN SYSTEM religion is less important.

G. The characteristics of this system

has no exact rules and there are
wide variety of positions.

H. There is little or nothing

people can do to change
their social standing.
SOCIAL STRATIFICATIONS
In the social sciences, social stratification is a concept used to define the relative social
status of individuals within a given social group, category, geographical area, or other social
units. It is derived from the Latin word "strātum" (plural; parallel, horizontal layers) that refers
to the categorization of its people by a given society into socio-economic rankings based on
factors, such as wealth, income, social status, occupation and power. Stratification is
characterized as the act of sorting information, individuals, and objects into different groups
or layers. It is a method used in combination with other system for data analysis (Wikipedia).
Further, it is an essential underlying character of the societies. As we find in all
cultures, ancient and modern, it is historical and as it persists in simple or complex cultures
that was universal. The social distinction based on high and low is both societies' historical
heritage.
For over time, these social strata and layers including divisions and subdivisions have
been recognized on the bases of gender and age, position and status, skills and incompetence,
life chances and economic cum political ascription and monopolization, ritual and ceremony,
and on numerous other grounds. Indeed, social stratification is dynamic in nature. The
distinctions of dominance and inferiority, authority, and subordination, as well as occupation
and vocation are no less dependent on it. Despite progressive thoughts and radicalism,
equality and democracy, socialism and communism, still social stratification has persisted.

MEANING & NATURE

Social stratification refers to the classification of individuals by a society into

socioeconomic category rankings based on various factors, including wealth, income,
ethnicity, education, and power. Moreover, the term stratification refers to a mechanism by
which individuals and classes are classified in a status hierarchy that is more or less
permanent. Furthermore, it refers to the division of a population into structures, one on top
of another.
Social stratification is a horizontal differentiation of society into higher and lower
social units, according to Murray (1947) in his book entitled Introductory Sociology. Further,
Tumin (1953) also stated that social stratification refers to structures in a hierarchy of roles in
any social group or community that are unequal in terms of power, property, social
assessment, and/or social gratification.
Stratification thus contains two phenomena, (1) the distinction of individuals or
groups ranked higher than others by certain individuals or groups and (2) the ranking of
individuals according to some valuation basis.
 Based on certain variations in ideals that it assigns to various positions, society
compares and ranks individuals’ classes. When individuals and classes are graded according
to some widely accepted valuation bases, we have social stratification in a hierarchy of status
levels based on inequality in social status. We mean the organization of any social group or
community by which roles are commonly separated by stratification. Regarding control, land,
assessment and intellectual satisfaction, the roles are unequal.
The nature of stratification has contributed to the issue of social inequality that is from
the past to current situation. These inequalities are institutionalized and unchangeable in
communities that have closed stratification structures. A person born into a specific economic
and social strata or caste remains until he/she dies in this stratum. Numerous current
industrial societies have structures of open stratification or class stratification. Social mobility
is possible in open stratification structures, but certain members of the community do not
have the ability to fulfill their potential.

CHARACTERISTICS OF STRATIFICATIONS

The following social stratification characteristics were described by Melvin M.

Tumin in his publication entitled American Sociological Review (1953):
1. It is Social
Stratification is social in the sense that it does not reflect biologically mediated
discrimination in social. It is true that variables such as power, intellect, age, gender
also may serve as the bases from which status is classified. But these differences alone
are not enough to justify why some societies are granted more power, land, and
prestige than others.

2. It is Ancient
The system for stratification is very old. Also, in the small wandering bands,
stratification is present. Age and sex carry the primary stratification factors. Almost
every ancient civilization gave distinction between rich and poor, powerful and
humble, freemen and slaves. Social philosophers have been deeply concerned with
economic, social, and political inequalities since the times of Plato and Kautilya.

3. It is Universal
The social stratification is universal. The difference between rich and poor is
noticeable everywhere. Stratification is quite present in non-literate communities.
 4. It is in Diverse Forms
In all cultures, social stratification has never been standardized. The Aryan
society was divided into four Varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Sudras;
the ancient Greek society into freemen and slaves; and the ancient Chinese society
into mandarins, traders, farmers and soldiers. The ancient Roman society was
stratified into two strata: The Patricians and the Plebeians. The general forms of
stratification found in the modern world tend to be class and land.

5. It is Consequential

The Stratification System has its own implications. Due to stratification, the most
important, most desirable, and sometimes the scarcest items in human life are distributed
unequally. The method has two types of implications: (i) Life chances and (ii) lifestyle. Such
topics as infant mortality rates, lifespan, physical and mental illness, marital problems,
separation, and divorce apply to life chances. The lifestyle however, include living modes,
residential areas, education, leisure practices, parent-child relationships, modes of
transportation, and so on.

Elements of Social Stratifications

There are several common elements of all stratification systems.

Differentiation, ranking, evaluation and rewarding have been established as these
components. Tumin (1953) identified the components of social stratification as the
following:

1. Status Differentiation

It is the mechanism by which social roles, such as father and mother, are
decided and differentiated from each other by combining a distinctive role, a set of
rights and responsibilities.
Differentiation of status functions more successfully when:
a) Tasks are identified clearly.
b) Power and obligation shall be separated.
c) A recruitment and training system exists.
d) There are appropriate penalties to motivate individuals, including incentives and
sanctions.

Responsibilities, services, and privileges are allocated not to specific persons,

but also to status. The societies will create general and universal rules or guidelines
that will extend to many and
 different people who are to inhabit the same status, e.g. all the different women
who will play a parent's role.

Differentiation is not in itself an independent method. Ranking is the easiest

way to promote understanding the differentiation process.

2. Ranking

Ranking is defined as a position on the achievement or status scale as a

classification of individual.

Ranking is done on the basis of:

a. Personality traits that persons are assumed to require if they are to learn and
successfully perform roles such as intellect, aggressiveness, and politeness
b. The abilities and skills that are considered essential, such as physiological,
numerical or linguistic skills, for effective role performance
c. The general characteristics of the job, such as complexity, cleanliness, risk, etc.
The aim of the ranking is to classify the right candidate for the correct position. Non-
valuative rating, i.e. jobs are classified as harder or easier, cleaner or dirtier, better or
riskier, and the individuals are classified slower, smarter or more capable than others
without indicating that some are socially more important and others are less important
because of these qualities. Ranking is a selective method in the sense that only certain
statuses are chosen for comparative ranking and only some are generally included in the
ranking process with all selected features, e.g. the Father-Mother status is not ranked.

3. Evaluation:
The method of assessment further solidifies classification and ranking. While
the ranking procedure relies more or less on the question, the assessment process focuses
better and worse on the question. Assessment is both a personal and social characteristic.
That is, people give everything a relative value, a degree of choice and a priority of
desirability. To the point that assessment is a learned value, people tend to share a specific
set of values with a consensus that tends to evolve within a society. The social dimension
essential for evaluation stratification would be value consensus.
The Three Dimensions of Evaluation

a. Prestige- These relates to honour and includes respectful behaviour. Radcliffe-Brown

(1955) in his publication “The British Journal of Sociology ” mentioned three groups
that were typically granted special prestige in hunting societies: those old people,
those with supernatural abilities, those with special personality traits such as hunting
ability. Prestige is the goods or commodity that is in limited supply and it is, therefore,
more valued.

b. Preferability- Those positions, i.e. status roles, which are selected by most citizens,
are rated higher, e.g." I'd like to be a doctor here).”

c. Popularity- Those common status roles that people know to be very prestigious are
assessed higher, e.g. Nowadays, the students are taking a course for being a teacher
because this occupation is very popular.

4. Rewarding

Differentiated, rated, and assessed statuses are assigned to differential incentives in

terms of positive things in life. In different ways, social units such as households,
subcultures, social classes, and professions that are socially classified are rewarded
differently. A few of the benefits are health care, education, wages, and positions of
prominence.

Two Types of Rewarding

1. Abundant- Which rather than material, these are spiritual or psychic and are secured
in the process of performing a role, such as pleasure, love, and respect.
2. Scarce- In this context of desirable and limited incentives, social stratification becomes
important. Many who have influence take possession of these incentives in a system
where there is an unfair distribution of incentives. In conclusion, it can be assumed
that the social mechanism that shapes and retains the stratification structure is
distinction, rating, assessment and rewarding.

FORMS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION:

Sociologists distinguish between two forms of systems of stratification: the closed

systems and the open systems. Closed systems accommodate no change to social status. It is
described as a place where individuals can do little or nothing to alter their social status. They
do not allow people to change levels and do not facilitate social interactions between levels.
The caste systems and slavery are closed systems of stratification in which individuals may do
little or nothing to alter their social status. Open systems
on the other hand, focus and allow layers and classes to move and interact. It is based on
success, allowing layers and classes to move and interact. Different systems reflect,
emphasize, and promote these cultural values and influence people's opinions. Class systems
and estate systems are the examples in open systems of stratification. Hence, stratification
systems include the caste system, the class system, slavery, and estate system (Encarnacion,
2019).

Slavery (Free or Unfree)

Slavery is a system in which people are bought and sold as slaves

against their will, compelled to work, or kept in captivity or cages.

Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase, or birth;
and can also be deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation.
Historically, slavery was institutionally recognized by many societies. Slavery predates written
records and has existed in many cultures. The number of slaves today is higher than at any
point in history, remaining as high as 12 million to 27 million. Most are debt slaves, largely in
South Asia, who are under debt bondage incurred by lenders, sometimes even for generations
(Encarnacion, 2019).

Caste Systems

Caste systems are closed systems of social stratification in which

individuals inherit their status and experience little mobility.

Caste is a complex social system that incorporates some or all of the components of
endogamy, hereditary transfer of jobs, social status, social identity, hierarchy, exclusion, and
authority. Caste is a closed social stratification structure in which membership is determined
by birth and remains fixed for life; castes are also endogamous, which means that marriage is
prevented outside one's caste, and children are automatically members of their parents'
caste. Race or ethnicity, economic class, or religious affiliation is the most prevalent
stratification of castes. Castes have been noted in cultures all over the world throughout
history, but they are sometimes mistakenly considered to be a practice specific to India
(Encarnacion, 2019).
 Historically, there were four well-known types in the caste system in India: Brahmins
(priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (commerce), Shudras (workmen). In these four caste
classifications, some people left out were called "outcasts" or "untouchables" and were
ostracized and persecuted. While Indian culture is often associated with the term "caste
system," in many non-Indian societies, the system is prevalent. Caste structures have been
found in various cultural settings around the globe, including primarily Muslim, Christian,
Hindu, Buddhist, and other societies (Encarnacion, 2019).

Class Systems

Social class refers to the grouping of people, typically based on income,

education, and occupation, in a stratified social hierarchy.

Social class refers to the grouping of people in a stratified social hierarchy into
positions. In terms of variables, such as wealth, income, education, and occupation, a class
consists of a group of people who share similar status. Class systems, unlike caste systems,
are transparent. People are free to get a standard of education or jobs different from that of
their parents. They can also socialize with members of other classes and marry them, allowing
individuals to switch from one class to another. Employment is not fixed at birth in a class
system. While family and other social models help direct an individual towards a career, there
is a place for personal choice. Certainly, class systems are the most accessible, which means
that they have the most vertical mobility (Encarnacion, 2019).

Estate Systems

Estate systems are characterized by land ownership and were widespread

during the Middle Ages and through the 1800s in Europe and Asia.

In feudal systems, estates were classified especially in Europe during the Middle Ages.
They were less restrictive than castes, and some mobility was permitted. In an estate
structure, according to their birth, military strength and landholdings, men are assigned to
their strata. Unlike castes, instead of religious rules, estates were created politically through
man-made laws. Each estate had a code of suitable behavior of its own (Encarnacion, 2019).
The common threefold divisions are:
A. The nobility (first/highest) estate), consisting of aristocracy and gentry;
B. The clergy (second estate), which had a lower position, but had various privileges; and
C. The commoners, ranging from peasants and artisans to everything else.

The individuals of different strata were defined in an estate structure by the privileges
they had and the obligations they were supposed to fulfill. These structures differ depending
on their degree of vertical mobility, or the likelihood that the stratification ladder will rise or
fall. A person has virtually no chance of going up or down in some so-called closed societies.
There is more vertical mobility in open societies to some individuals, and maybe many
individuals will level up or even go down. To define the consistency or lack thereof of an
individual's rank across these variables, sociologists use the term status consistency. Caste
structures equate with high consistency of status, although there is lower consistency of
status for the more fluid class structure. In economic, social, political, and ideological aspects,
social stratification structures trigger relational sets of inequalities (Encarnacion, 2019).

SOCIAL MOBILITY

Social mobility refers to the transition from one social status to another within the
social system. This indicates a change in social standing. All societies offer some conditions
for social mobility. Unlike culture, social mobility is the extent that people can transfer from
one class or level of status to another.

It is claimed that the greater the degree of social mobility, the more accessible the
class structure. In evaluating the relative "openness" of a social system, the idea of social
mobility has fundamental significance. The aspect, shapes, direction, and magnitude of social
mobility depend on the nature and types of social stratification. In order to find out the
relative 'opening' of a social system, sociologists studied social mobility.

Any community that enhances its standards would also enhance its social standing.
But there are no uniform levels of social mobility in all countries. From time to time, it varies
from society to society. The rate of mobility in India is inherently poor because of the
predominant occupation which is agriculture and the continuity of the caste system which is
relative to the other nations of the world (YourArticleLibrary).
Types of Social Mobility:

In social stratification, the movement occurs in three directions.

(a) From lower to higher

(b) From higher to lower
(c) Between two positions at the same level.

Two Types of Social Mobility:

1. Horizontal mobility
2. Vertical mobility

HORIZONTAL MOBILITY

This refers to the transfer of people possessing the same level from one social group
to another. This implies that the ranks of these two categories are not distinct. It
demonstrates a change of place without a change of status. For example, horizontal mobility
is the case if a teacher leaves one school and joins another school, or a bank officer leaves
one branch to work in another or even changes residence.

VERTICAL MOBILITY

This refers to the transfer of individuals from one layer to another or from one place
to another while their class, occupation, and power change. It is the movement from lower
to higher or higher to lower is involved. Two forms of vertical mobility exist. One is upward,
and the other is downward).

Further, it is called upward mobility if a person moves from lower status to higher
status. For instance, it is said to be upward social mobility if the son of a peon enters a bank
as an officer, but if he loses the job due to some other cause or inefficiency, he is downwardly
moved from his previous job. So downward mobility takes place when a person steps down
and changes his/her status from one position to another.
 Let Us Practice
I. Identify what particular stratification scheme is defined in the following statements. Write your
answers on a separate sheet.

1. A system in which individuals are purchased and sold as land,

forced to work, or held against their will in captivity.

2. A closed system of social stratification in which individuals

inherit their rank and experience little mobility.

3. These refer to the classification, generally based on income,

education, and occupation, of people in a stratified social
hierarchy.

4. These are distinguished by land control and were widespread in

Europe and Asia during the Middle Ages.

5. A system of social stratification which throughout history has been

institutionally supported in many societies around the world.

6. They are definitely the most accessible, which mean that they have the
most vertical mobility.

7. The individuals of different layers were defined in these structures by

the privileges they had and the duties they were supposed to perform.

8. They are very frequently stratified by race or ethnicity, economic

status, or religious status.

9. These were politically established by man-made laws rather

than religious rules.

10. The people will socialize with and marry members of other classes in
these systems, which encourages people to switch from one class to
another.
 Let Us Practice More
Direction: Complete the table below by supplying the similar and different qualities of social
stratification forms. Write your answers on a separate sheet.

FORMS OF SOCIAL
SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES
STRATIFICATIONS SYSTEM
1. Estate – Class System

2.Slavery- Caste System

3.Estate- Slavery System

4.Class- Caste System

Let Us Remember

Systems of stratification vary in their degree of vertical social mobility. Some societies are
more open in this regard, while some are more closed.
The major systems of stratification are slavery, estate systems, caste systems, and class
systems.
Slavery is a system of social stratification that has been institutionally supported in many
societies around the world throughout history.
Caste systems are closed systems of social stratification in which
individuals inherit their status and experience little mobility.
Estate systems are characterized by land ownership and were widespread during the
Middle Ages and through the 1800s in Europe and Asia.
Class systems refers to the division of people, typically based on income, education, and
occupation, in a stratified social hierarchy.
I. Complete the table below that shows the significant advantages and disadvantages among
the different forms of social stratification that promotes equality in the society. Cite at least
two (2) advantages and two (2) disadvantages per social stratification system.

Systems Open/Close Advantages Disadvantages

1. Slavery

2. Caste Systems

3. Estate Systems

4. Class Systems

Let Us Assess
Read the following items carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer and
write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What form of social stratification system accommodates no change to social

status?
A. Open System C. Caste System
B. Closed System D. Class System

2. The American sociologist who described the social stratification as characterized

by means of social, ancient, universal, diverse form and consequential was .
A. Kingsley Davis C. Raymond Murray
B. Melvin Tumin D. Radcliffe-Brown

3. Which element of social stratification that the social roles, such as both parents,
are decided and differentiated from each other by combining a distinctive role?
A. Rewarding C. Status Differentiated
B. Ranking D. Evaluation

4. What form of social stratification system that focuses and allows layers and
classes to move and interact?
A. Open System C. Caste System
B. Closed System D. Class System

5. What type of social mobility that refers to the transfer of people located at the
same level from one social group to another?
A. Vertical Mobility C. Upward Mobility
B. Horizontal Mobility D. Downward Mobility
 6. What is the element behind closed caste systems?
A. Much were outlawed.
B. They only live in rural areas.
C. They are controlled by secret governments.
D. People do not modify their social roles.
E.
7. Society is stratified through .
A. Age, gender, population, religion
B. Prestige, strength, abundance, race
C. Sex, age, strength, wealth
D. Prestige, nationality, society, faith

8. In what system does merit or effort status is obtained?

A. Caste System C. Estate System
B. Meritocracy System D. Slavery System

9. In what system does the membership at birth is ascribed?

A. Caste System
B. Class System
C. Estate System
D. Slavery System

10. What factor opened up class systems?

A. Humans are more open-minded.
B. They do not have layers that are specifically defined.
C. Individuals make shared access between the groups.
D. People within their class are allowed to socialize.

11. Who belongs to the caste system amongst the following people?
A. Jay, who would like to get married after college.
B. Arman, who is expected to marry a member of their family friend.
C. Jessica, who is free to marry whoever she likes.
D. Leni, who has no desire to marry at all.

12. Which of these systems enables the most social mobility to take place?
A. Caste System C. Estate System
B. Class System D. Slavery System

13. What argument shows the continuity of low status?

A. A celebrity actress owned homes in three nations.
B. In a modest rural home, a suburban family lives and enjoys a pleasant
vacation each summer.
C. A single mother is getting food rations and is struggling to find
appropriate employment.
D. In its first year, a college dropout starts an online business that raises
 millions.

14. Which of the following is an example of social mobility?

A. Communicating with elite people.
B. Going for a country tour.
C. Purchasing a budget-friendly mobile phone.
D. Move from the middle class to the lower class.

15. What is the transferring of individuals or groups from one social class to
another?
A. Caste System C. Social Mobility
B. Class System D. Social Stratification

Let Us Enhance

Copy and complete the following pledge that demonstrates your aid in supporting
equality in your city.
I, a citizen of (Name of Barangay

Barangay) Pledge solemnly to promote equality in our area

by
 Let Us Reflect

❖ My Perspective
Now that you understand what social stratification is, try to provide your perspective
by completing at least one of the following unfinished statements.

1. By doing various activities on the concepts, characteristics, and forms of

stratification system, now I understand that

2. Doing various activities on the concepts, characteristics, and forms of stratification

system is important
because

3. Through various activities, my social background as a youth influences

my life opportunities and chances
because