Social stratification 

refers to a society’s
categorization of its people into rankings of
socioeconomic tiers based on factors like
wealth, income, race, education, and power.

a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a

hierarchy
1. a Social Phenomenon: 2. Very Ancient: 3. Diverse Forms: 4. Universal 5. Consequential:
 n
tio
The Caste System

ca
tifi
tra

cy
fS
The Class System

en
so

ist
m

ns
ste

Co
Meritocracy
Sy

us
at
St
According to Maclver and Page, social stratification implies
three features:
(i) A hierarchy of status groups;
(ii) The recognition of the superior-inferior stratification; and
(iii) Some degree of permanence of the structure.
Dimensions of Social Stratification and Inequality:
(a) Wealth, Property or Income: (b) Family or Kinship:
(c) Location of Residence: (d) Duration of Residence:
(e) Occupation: (f) Education and Knowledge:
g. Gender h. Health
i.sex j. Age
k. Geographic location

:
.
 3. H
pu r
pro

to
4. p
a
elps f diffe
suit
1.

fess

c
r
po  Ma

2.  rk:

q
o
wo

uire a otivation
v
En
si tc

o
the
ion

i
ti h

des m
on es

co
d:

s:
s: ab

pro nt
ur
e
i fi

p
ili t

ag

o
ty s

re
cess
ju

s
w

es

ition:
it d
h an

ha

of
hi
al

rd
gh r
e u
r at
 N
Functions of 5.
12. Less rigid
stratification ensures social 6. Recognizes merit and ability:
both social stratification 7. A
l
integration and hen l Posit
ce n io
differentiation: eed ns are
es on

Elit ulatio s

stra
ss t i

n
circ Ensur

8. ce
9. In tific ot equ
la ra

10.
comp

 S nt
in
atio
l c eg

al a
es:

ou iv
n: nd
 
i a nt

trodu n in socie

rc es
oc f i

e in
etitio
ls o

of s
al rce

na

m oc
e
of u

ces

uc iet
l e so

h y:
op s a

ne
ng
pe a

ed
e s

ed
th ct
of .  A

ty:
11
 Definition of Social Inequality
Social inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and
rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group
or society
Four Domains of Social Inequality