Module I
Social Stratification
DR. SHIVANI SINGH
Meaning and definition of Social
Stratification
Social stratification is the segmentation of society into different hierarchical
arrangement or strata. It refers to the differences and inequalities in the socio-
economic life of people in a given society. It represents the ranking of individuals or
social positions and statuses in the social structure.
The society in which divisions of social classes exist is known as a stratified society
and it involves two phenomena:
(i) differentiation of individuals or groups on the basis of possession of certain
characteristics whereby some individuals or groups come to rank higher than others,
(ii) the ranking of individuals according to some basis of evaluation.
Meaning and definition of Social
Stratification
1. Ogburn and Nimkoff: ‘The process by which individuals and groups are
ranked in more or less enduring hierarchy of status is known as stratification”
2. Lundberg: “A stratified society is one marked by inequality, by differences
among people that are evaluated by them as being “lower” and “higher”.
3. Gisbert: “Social stratification is the division of society into permanent groups
of categories linked with each other by the relationship of superiority and
subordinations”.
Characteristics of Social
Stratification
(a) Social stratification is universal. According to Sorokin “all permanently
organized groups are stratified”.
(b) Stratification is social
(c) It is ancient
(d) It is in diverse forms
(e) Social stratification is Consequential. Social stratification has two important
consequences one is “life chances” and the other one is “life style”. A class
system not only affects the “life- chances” of the individuals but also their “life
style”.
Forms of Social Stratification
(a) The Caste system:
The India Caste System is a perfect example of the stratification system. Caste
is a hereditary social group where a person’s rank and his rights are decided on
the caste he is born into. For instance, the Hindu religion has castes that range
from Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudra. A person’s caste enables one
to inherit the status and function of their parents. While the Brahmins are the
highest caste, they enjoy all the amenities which the lower caste person isn’t
allowed to. People are not allowed access to certain things solely because of
their caste. This creates a lot of division between the Indian society.
Forms of Social Stratification
(a) The Class system:
The class system has three parts of the upper class, middle class, and the lower class.
However, the class system is not definite, unlike the caste system. For instance, a
person of lower class can enter the upper class and vice versa.
The upper classes tend to be aristocrats (or landed gentry) who have been born into
lives of greater wealth and privilege.
The middle class comprises of people who can afford to live decently but are not
wealthy enough to enjoy the type of fine living experienced by the upper class.
The lower class is the category with people having lowest social status in terms of
their position and economic status.
Forms of Social Stratification
(a) The Estate system:
This system comes from the medieval Europe origin. Estate based social
stratification gives much importance on the original birth status. It also considers
wealth and other possessions that belong to the individual. This means if a
person was born in a particular class, he/she remains in the same until death,
without any change. This kind of social stratification works on the principle that
each estate has a state and remains with it, right from the beginning until the end.
Forms of Social Stratification
(a) The Gender system:
Similar to the caste system and class system, another stratification of society is
based on the gender of a person. Gender has been the oldest source of social
stratification. Even in modern Indian society, it is prevalent to date. Gender
stratification happens amongst various groups, communities, and regions.
Furthermore, gender does not limit to the sex of a person. Gender is more of a
socially constructed category rather than being determined biologically. For
instance, there are numerous genders now. Some of them are straight, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer and more. The Indian society stratifies greatly
between other genders other than straight people. The LGBTQ community is at
the receiving end of this stratification from time to time.
Forms of Social Stratification
(a) The Slavery system:
Though slavery has been abolished in most part of the world, it is still in practice
in some countries. People, being classified under this category, are known as
slaves. Every slave is under a master whom he/she belongs to. This system
remains so from one hierarchy level to the other. It continues for generations.
The master, thus, owns the slave and by this his power on the slave remains
unlimited. It also means that the master can technically use the slave for varied
set of reasons. The master can assign any task to the slave. The slave has to
complete that task as and when asked for.
Meaning and definition of Social
Stratification
Social stratification is the segmentation of society into different hierarchical
arrangement or strata. It refers to the differences and inequalities in the socio-
economic life of people in a given society. It represents the ranking of individuals or
social positions and statuses in the social structure.
The society in which divisions of social classes exist is known as a stratified society
and it involves two phenomena:
(i) differentiation of individuals or groups on the basis of possession of certain
characteristics whereby some individuals or groups come to rank higher than others,
(ii) the ranking of individuals according to some basis of evaluation.
Characteristics:
1. The status is determined by the cultural situation of the particular society,
2. The status is determined only in relevance of the other members of the society,
3. Every individual has to play certain role in accordance with the status,
4. Status is only a part of the society as a whole,
5. As a result of status, the society is divided into various groups,
6. Every status carries with it some prestige,
7. According to status people may be divided into various categories. These categories or statuses
are not imposed from above. Some of these statuses are earned or achieved while others are
ascribed.
Types of Social Status
Status can be mainly of two types: ‘ascribed’ or inherited land ‘achieved’ or
acquired. If an individual’s status is determined at his birth, it would be regarded as
an ascribed status. Birth determines the sex and age of the child finally and
conclusively, as also his ethnic and family background. While age is a changing
factor in life, the, others remain unchanged.
An individual may be born into a status, but he may ‘acquire’ another status in his
life time with the exercise of his ability, skill or knowledge.
Ascribed Status
The status which is given to an individual on the basis of the situation in the society
or by other members of the society is called ascribed status. Such a status may be
given by birth or by placement in a social group.
Basis of the ascribed status:
These two kinds of statuses are based on factors that are not common. For example
the ascribed status is based on age, sex, kinship race, family etc.
Achieved Status:
The status or the position that a person has earned out of his own personal
efforts is called achieved status. This status is given by the ability, capacity
and the efforts of the individuals.
Basis of Achieved status:
The achieved status is based on the personal ability, education, earned wealth
etc.
Distinction between the Ascribed
status and Achieved status:
1. Ascribed status is given by the society to its individual members who make no
effort to get it. Achieved status is the result of the efforts of the person who
acquires it due to his ability and capacity.
2. There is no precondition for getting an ascribed status because is given by the
society on the basis of its customs and traditions. In contrast an achieved status
requires certain preconditions. In order to achieve such a status a person has to
fulfil certain conditions, prove his ability and efficiency.
Distinction between the Ascribed
status and Achieved status:
3. Ascribed status has a great relationship with the customs, traditions and
other cultural factors of society. It is mostly a tradition-based status. Achieved
status is the result of personal accomplishments and is acquired in situation of
competition. It has a limited relationship with the customs and traditions.
4. Generally, ascribed status is based on age, sex, race, caste, kinship and
tradition. The achieved status is based on qualities, capacities and abilities of
the persons.
Distinction between the Ascribed
status and Achieved status:
5. Ascribed status is more stable and more rigid. Its basis does not easily change.
Achieved status has an instable basis and so it is self-changeable.
6. Ascribed status occupies a place of respect in a traditional society. In open and
modern societies, the achieved status is given importance because in rests upon
the personal qualities and achievements of each person.
7. In the case of ascribed status, the role of the authority and actions that flow
from it are unpredictable because it is based on traditions which can be differently
interpreted and used. In the case of achieved status, the role of authority and
actions which flow from it are predictable because these are based on reason and
evaluations.
Distinction between the Ascribed
status and Achieved status:
8. In ascribed status there is a co-relationship between the status and role. In
the achieved status, it cannot be said with certainty that there shall be a co-
relationship between the achieved status and the role.
9. The ascribed status has a vital relationship with the internal aspects of the
personality. It provides satisfaction to sentiments, emotions and feelings.
Achieved status is the gift of one’s personal accomplishments and personal
characteristics.
10. Ascribed status is helpful in removing the difficulties and disabilities of the
achieved status. Similarly achieved status is also helpful to remove the
disabilities of the ascribed status
Distinction between the Ascribed
status and Achieved status:
11. There is a relationship between the ascribed status and achieved status in
so far as each can extend a helping hand to the other. The former can help a
person to get an opportunity to achieve some achievements and the later can
help former by increasing his prestige which can lead to a higher status. Both
can be complimentary to each other.
Role:
The concept of role was initially developed by Ralph Linton (1936).
According to Linton, individuals occupy positions in different aspects of social
life.
In some sense of the word or the other, every individual adorning a status has
to play a role as if he is dramatizing it. An individual’s role is the behaviour
expected of him in his status and in the determination of his relationship with
other members of his group.
The expectancy as to the standard of behaviour is so conscious and well-
defined that the person playing it has little independence.
Role:
The concept “role/s” assumes that, when people occupy social positions, their
behaviour is determined mainly by what is expected of that position rather than
by their own individual characteristics.
The concept “role/s” assumes that, when people occupy social positions, their
behaviour is determined mainly by what is expected of that position rather than
by their own individual characteristics.
A person will play many such roles. Everyone has multiple roles in life.
‘Multiple’ roles refer to cluster of roles which an individual is expected to play
in variety of situations (i.e. in the multiplicity of groups to which he belongs).
Characteristics of the Role:
Characteristics of the Role:
Characteristics of the role may be studied in the following heads:
Action Aspect of Status
Changing Concept of Role
Limited Field of Operation
Roles are not Performed 100% for the Fulfillment of the Expectations
Difference in the Importance of Role
Classification of Roles:
various methods of classifying roles have been used by sociologists. According to Linton roles can be
divided into:
Ascribed Roles : The ascribed roles are those obtained at birth. Here role learning commences at
birth itself.
Achieved Roles : Achieved roles are acquired by individuals through merit and competition.
Classification of Roles:
various methods of classifying roles have been used by sociologists. Relational and Non-relational
Roles
Nadel (1957) adopted the principle of content (i.e., the kind of conduct expected) of roles and divided
them. He further subdivided them into relational and non-relational roles.
A relational role can be played only in relation to a complementary role, while non-relational role is not
dependent on a complementary role.
Where roles do not require a complementary role, in can be described as non-relational.
