LESSON 1 – SOCIAL STRATIFICATION UCSP Q2 W4 / page 1
Last week’s discussion was all about
institutions, including Education that has a
vital role in the development of the State. This
Lesson will focus on the stratification that exist
in the society. How wealth, power, and prestige
will put a certain person higher in terms of
societal status and how stratification creates
inequalities will be tackled in this part of the
LAS.
RANK ME
Directions: According to your own preference, rank and order the following. With 1 (one)
as the highest and 10 (ten) as your lowest on the space provided before the number.
Teacher
Actor/Actress
Farmer/Fisherman
Mayor
Environmental Protection Advocate
Construction worker
Businessman
Beggar
Sikad driver
Governor
1. What is your basis of ranking them from 1 to 10?
UCSP Q2 W4 / page 2 People born in their social standing will
remain in it through their entire lives.
Open System
This system is based on the
achievement of the members of the society,
which flexibility on social roles are evident,
there’s an increase social mobility and a
Social Stratification better, open interaction among social
This refers to the division of a whole groups and classes regardless of status.
social group into smaller groups in the
society based on the people’s status. Class System
People are placed in a certain level and in a A system which is based on the
certain rank in the society based on their ownership of resources and the
access to opportunities and in the control individual’s occupation or profession. This
over economic resources. This labeling will system is composed of people who share
lead to social inequalities which will be the same background and characteristics
discussed on the next LAS. such as income, education and
occupation. This system is based on the
Social Desirables achievement of the member rather than
These are factors which affects social ascription and thus more open for social
stratification. mobility wherein a person is free to move
1. Wealth – everything that the person or a from one social class to the another.
group owns.
2. Power – the ability to control one’s own Social Mobility
life and to influence others. Is the ability of individuals or groups
3. Prestige – a social recognition that a to change their positions within the social
person or group receives. hierarchy or stratification system.
Social Exclusion Upward mobility refers to the upward
Refers to the process by which movement of a person or a group of people
individuals are cut off from the full from a particular social class.
involvement in the society. For example
people in the marginalized sectors have low Example: Manny Pacquiao came from a
to no access and majority of them are poor family and rose to fame through
deprived from shelter, food, health and boxing. He is now a politician and
security. considered as one of the richest Filipino.
Systems of Stratification Closed Downward mobility refers to the lowering
System of an individual or group’s social class.
A system which is resistant to
change especially on the social roles of the Example: Many Filipino actors and
people. This system impose a bold dark actresses in Philippine entertainment are
line boundary between groups in the now not in the limelight and are outdated.
society, which limits interaction among
people with different social groups or
people in different levels of status.
• Caste System which is common in India
is an example of a closed system
because people in this kind of system
2
are unable to change their social
standing.
Sociological Perspectives of Social Stratification
Functionalism Conflict Theory Symbolic Interactionism
Davis-Moore Thesis Stratification This view refrains from
(Kingsley Davis and Wilbert perpetuates inequality. looking into the larger
Moore, 1945): Stratification is structural factors,
Certain tasks in the influenced by economic instead it examines
society are more valued forces. stratification in
than others. Individuals According to Karl Marx, microlevel.
who perform highly society is divided into Social stratification
valued work are two groups: bourgeois leads people to interact
rewarded with greater or capitalists (who with others within their
income, prestige, and owns resources, land own social class (people
power in society. and businesses), they who have the same
Social stratification is belong to the upper background, interests,
necessary because it classes of the society and way of life).
motivates individuals to and gained wealth due Therefore, social
be more efficient and to the profits from their stratification groups
more productive in their businesses; and people together.
tasks in seeking a high- proletariat (workers People’s appearance
value positions in the and laborers), belongs to reflects their perceived
hierarchy. the lower classes, lacks social class through
power and influence, housing, clothing,
Melvin Tumin, 1953 and experiences great transportation,
Individuals of little talent hardships. hairstyles, taste in food,
or skill are also able to Inequality cause music, accessories, and
access better proletariat to experience personal style.
opportunities or occupy alienation, isolation, and Theory of conspicuous
higher positions in the great misery due to their consumption refers to
society. powerless status and buying certain products
Inequality. Unequal lead to class conflict. to make a social
opportunities for statement about status.
education or Driving a luxury car or
employment due to race just a rusty bike to
or gender. work could indicate a
Social stratification as person’s social
being defined by the lack standing.
of opportunities for less-
privileged people.
Social stratification
becomes a hindrance UCSP Q2 W4 / page 3
that prevents qualified
people from occupying
significant social roles.
UCSP Q2 W4 / page 4
PICTURE ANALYSIS
Directions: Describe and explain the photo
found on the left side.
Directions: Read the statements found in the box. Put a (/) mark on the first column if
the statement is a Functionalism, (X) wrong mark on the second column if it is a
Conflict Theory, and (0) on the third column if it’s a Symbolic Interactionism view.
Symbolic
Functionalism Conflict Theory
Viewpoints Interactionism
(/) (X)
(0)
1. It examines social stratification in
individual’s behavior or in microlevel rather
than the structural factors.
2. Social stratification defines how the
underprivilege has a lack to no opportunities
in the society.
3. Fashion, hairstyle, transportation and
food preference could determine social
status.
4. Society is divided into: high classes and
lower classes.
5. Alienation, isolation, and misery will lead
to class conflict.
6. Social stratification motivates individuals
to be more productive.
UCSP Q2 W4 / page 5
Directions: Encircle the correct answer.
1. It is a system by which society categorizes people, and ranks them in a hierarchy.
a. Social stratification c. Social exclusion
b. Social desirables d. Social mobility
2. Which of the following factors affects social stratification?
a. Wealth c. Prestige
b. Power d. All of these
3. People in the marginalized sectors have low to no access of opportunity.
a. Social stratification c. Social exclusion
b. Social desirables d. Social mobility
4. Ishan, a Hindu who belongs to the lower class can only marry a woman who is also
belongs to the same class.
a. Closed system c. Upward mobility
b. Open system d. Downward mobility
5. A class system is an example of .
a. Closed system c. Upward mobility
b. Open system d. Downward mobility
6. Sebastian, a millionaire got bankrupt due to gambling and investing to wrong people.
a. Closed system c. Upward mobility
b. Open system d. Downward mobility
7. Dominique, was raised in the slums of Tondo, Manila but now she’s a self-made CEO
of a company who publishes books for children.
a. Closed system c. Upward mobility
b. Open system d. Downward mobility
8.Social stratifications motivates an individual to work hard in order for him/her to
achieve his/her desired societal status.
a. Functionalism c. Symbolic Interactionism
b. Conflict Theory
9.Manual labors are needed by the bourgeois to produce goods and to create high profits
from their lands and businesses. This, sometimes creates conflicts among different
social classes.
a. Functionalism c. Symbolic Interactionism
b. Conflict Theory
10.This sociological perspective, views an individual’s behavior and appearance to
determine a certain societal status.
a. Functionalism c. Symbolic Interactionism
b. Conflict Theory
