Chapter 13 Social Inequality and

Stratification

Key Terms

 inequality

The extent to which culturally valued material

and social rewards are allocated
disproportionately to individuals, families, and
other groups.
egalitarian

Form of society in which there is little inequality

in access to culturally valued rewards.

 ranked

Society in which there are a fixed number of

statuses that carry prestige, and only certain
individuals are eligible to attain these statuses.
stratified

Society with marked and usually heritable

differences in access to wealth, power and
prestige, inequality is based on unequal access
to productive and valued resources.

 class

System of stratification in which membership in a

stratum can theoretically be altered and
intermarriage between strata is allowed.
caste

Stratification systems in which membership in a

status is in theory hereditary, strata are
endogamous, and contact or relations between
members of different strata are governed by
explicit laws, norms or prohibitions.

 ideology

(narrow meaning of the term)

Ideas and beliefs that legitimize and reinforce
inequalities in stratified societies.

secular

ideology
An ideology that does not rely on the will of
supernatural powers but justifies inequality on
the basis of its society wide benefits.

 functional

theory of inequality
Unless society offers unequal rewards for
unequal talents and efforts, the most talented
people will have no incentive to put their talents
to work for the welfare of all.

conflict

theory of inequality
Inequality offers few benefits to anyone except
the elite and, indeed, is harmful to the whole
society because of the conflicts it creates.