What Is Social Stratification? (Copy)
O Level Sociology – Cheat Sheet
3.1 What is Social Stratification?
3.1.1 Social Stratification in Open and Closed Societies
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Achieved Status | Social position gained by individual effort or talent (e.g. becoming a doctor). Common in open societies. |
| Ascribed Status | Social position assigned at birth, not earned (e.g. caste, royalty). Common in closed societies. |
| Poverty | Lack of access to basic needs such as food, housing, education, and healthcare. |
| Wealth | Ownership and control of valuable resources such as money, property, and investments. |
| Power | The ability to influence or control others. Linked with wealth, status, and occupation. |
| Social Mobility | The ability to move up or down the social hierarchy. More possible in open societies than in closed ones. |
| Meritocracy | A system where status is achieved through individual merit (ability + effort), not background. |
| Modern Slavery | Contemporary forms of exploitation where individuals cannot refuse or leave (e.g. forced labor, human trafficking). |
| Caste System | A traditional form of closed stratification based on heredity, especially in parts of India. Movement between castes is not allowed. |
3.1.2 Differences in Life Chances by Social Factors
Life Chances = Opportunities and outcomes in key areas of life, shaped by one’s social background.
| Area | Influence of Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Social Class |
|---|---|
| Education |
- Working-class children may have fewer resources and support.
- Ethnic minorities may face language barriers or racism.
- Girls may outperform boys in exams in many societies.
- Older learners may lack access to education. |
| Employment |
- Gender pay gap; fewer leadership roles for women.
- Ethnic discrimination in hiring.
- Upper-class individuals have better networks and opportunities.
- Older/younger workers may face age discrimination. |
| Health |
- Poorer individuals often face worse health outcomes.
- Women may receive less research-based healthcare.
- Ethnic groups may suffer from health inequalities.
- Elderly often need more healthcare but may face neglect. |
| Housing |
- Wealthier individuals access better, safer housing.
- Ethnic minorities may face overcrowding or discrimination.
- Women may be more vulnerable in unstable housing.
- Young people may struggle to afford housing. |
| Life Expectancy |
- Higher among richer and educated people.
- Lower for working-class, certain ethnic groups, and those in poor housing.
- Women tend to live longer than men in most societies.
- Elderly may suffer from poor healthcare access if low-income. |
3.1.3 Intersectionality
- Intersectionality = Understanding how multiple social factors (age, gender, class, ethnicity) combine to create complex and overlapping inequalities.
📌 Example: A working-class, elderly, ethnic minority woman may face multiple layers of disadvantage in employment, healthcare, and housing.
3.1.4 Sociological Theories on Social Inequality
| Theory | Key Ideas |
|---|---|
| Labelling Theory |
- Stereotypes: Fixed, oversimplified beliefs about groups (e.g. “all poor people are lazy”).
- Master Status: A dominant label that overrides all others (e.g. “ex-convict”).
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Individual behaves in line with label, making it come true.
E.g. a student labelled “failure” may stop trying. |
| Marxism |
- Exploitation of the Proletariat: Working class is used for profit by the ruling class (bourgeoisie).
- Ideological Control: Media, education, religion spread ruling class ideas as ‘normal’ or ‘fair’.
- Poverty Trap: System is rigged to keep the poor in poverty generation after generation.
- Reserve Army of Labour: A group of unemployed workers that can be hired and fired easily to control wages and labor. |