Week 5

Learning Competency:

Examine the Concept,

Characteristics and Forms of
Stratification Systems Using
Sociological Perspectives
 Stratification
Systems
Stratification is defined as the act of sorting data,
people, and objects into distinct groups or layers.

Stratification system is a hierarchical arrangement

of individuals or groups within a society, based on
their social standing, privileges, and access to
resources.

These systems are often characterized by unequal

distribution of wealth, power, and opportunities,
resulting in distinct social classes or strata.
Key characteristics of stratification systems:

1.Hierarchy: Individuals or groups are ranked based on

their perceived social worth, creating a layered structure.
2. Inequality: Access to resources, opportunities, and
power is unevenly distributed, leading to disparities in
wealth, status, and life outcomes.
3. Social mobility: Movement of one individual or group
from one social class to another.
4. Socialization: Stratification systems are reinforced
through socialization, where individuals learn their
ascribed social position and the expectations associated
with it.
Types of Stratification Systems
There are several types of stratification systems commonly studied in
sociology:
1.Caste System: This is a rigid system where individuals are assigned to social
groups based on birth and cannot move up or down in the hierarchy.
2.Class System: This is a more open system where individuals can move up or
down the social ladder based on factors like education, occupation, and
income.
3.Estate System: This is a system where society is divided into distinct social
classes, often based on land ownership or hereditary status.
4.Gender Stratification: This refers to the unequal distribution of power and
resources between men and women.
5.Racial Stratification: This refers to the unequal distribution of power and
resources based on race or ethnicity.
6. Socioeconomic Stratification: This is the most common form of
stratification, where individuals are ranked based on their economic
position. For instance, in many societies, there are distinct classes
like upper class, middle class, and lower class.
7. Political Stratification

refers to the hierarchical arrangement of

individuals or groups within a political system.
It is a way of understanding how power and
influence are distributed within a society.
Status is the
individual’s spot in the
social structure.
For example: some
people are prominent
government officials
while others are
salesmen, utility
workers, etc.
Types of Social Mobility

Horizontal mobility refers to a change in social position that does not

involve a change in social status. This means moving from one job to
another at the same level of prestige or income.
For example, a teacher moving from one school to another

Vertical mobility, on the other hand, involves a change in social status.

This can be either upward or downward.
For example, becoming a manager after working as a sales associate.
Social Desirables

Any rational individual will always

aspire for things that give wealth,
power, and prestige.
Prestige and Esteem

Prestige refers to the evaluation of status. You gain respect

according to your status.
For example, being a senior student, you have the prestige of a
senior student at your school. It does not apply directly to you as a
person, but rather to the social category to which you belong (senior
class).

Esteem is a term that encompasses both self-esteem and the

esteem one receives from others. It's a measure of one's self-worth,
respect, and confidence.
I. Instructions: For each statement, classify the social class it represents: Upper
Class, Middle Class, or Lower Class.

1. Owns multiple vacation homes and yachts.

2. An entrepreneur with a seven-figure income.
3. An individual relies on government assistance.
4. Drives a luxury car and frequents exclusive clubs.
5. Has a college degree and works in a professional office setting.
6. Struggles to afford basic necessities like food and housing.
7. Working as a government employees living in his own house.
8. Lives in a squatter area in Quezon City and works as a construction worker.
9. Enjoys hobbies like golfing and horseback riding.
10.Lives in a small apartment or rented accommodation.
II. Instructions: Identify whether each statement describes an ascribed status or an
achieved status.
1. A child inherits their parents' wealth and social position.
2. A doctor earns a high income through years of education and training.
3. A woman is born into a royal family and automatically becomes a princess.
4. A man becomes a successful entrepreneur after hard work and dedication.
5. A person's ethnicity is determined by their genetic makeup.
6. A student earns a scholarship through academic excellence.
7. A person's skin color often leads to discrimination.
8. An athlete becomes famous through their athletic achievements.
9. A person's gender is assigned at birth.
10.A lawyer gains recognition for their legal expertise.
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. It consists of the elite or wealthy families.
A. Lower class C. Ascribed status
B. Upper class D. Achieved status

2. It is one in which people are born into their social standing and will remain in it their whole lives.
A. Caste and closed-class system C. Middle class
B. Open class system D. Lower class

3. The individual’s position in the social structure.

A. Upper class C. Status
B. Middle class D. Statuses

4. A society’s categorization of people into socioeconomic strata/layer, based on their occupation and
income, wealth and social status, or derived power.
A. Vertical mobility C. Political stratification
B. Horizontal mobility D. Stratification

5. Status earned by the individual.

A. Status C. Ascribed status
B. Achieved status D. Statuses
6. The act of moving from one social status to another.
A. Social mobility C. Social stratification
B. Political stratification D. Differentiation

7. People in the social class who depend merely on their salary.

A. Middle class C. Upper class
B. Lower class D. Social class

8. It refers to the evaluation of status.

A. Esteem C. Differentiation
B. Prestige D. Stratification

9. This refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups within a political system.
A. Social structure C. Differentiation
B. Social mobility D. Political stratification

10. These are mostly professional people like lawyers, doctors, managers, owners of small
businesses, executives, etc.
A. Upper class C. Lower class
B. Social class D. Middle class
11. The movement of a person within a social class level.
A. Horizontal mobility C. Statuses
B. Vertical mobility D. Status

12. Family background, gender, sex, race, ethnicity, etc. are examples of this social
desirable.
A. Status C. Ascribed status
B. Achieved status D. Statuses

13. The movement of a person between social class levels or another class
A. Horizontal mobility C. Vertical mobility
B. Upward mobility D. Downward mobility

14. Individuals are free to gain a different level of education or employment than their
parents. They can also socialize with other members of the group.
A. Caste and closed-class system C. Social status
B. Social class D. Open class system

15. It's a measure of one's self-worth, respect, and confidence.

A. class c. Prestige
B. Esteem d. Status
Stratification Political Stratification

Open System Status

Stratification System
Horizontal Mobility Vertical Mobility

Prestige Social Mobility Hierarchy

Gender Stratification Social Desirables
Gene
 Instruction: Write your answer to each item below by selecting from the choices as listed
above.
1. It refers to aspiring for things that give wealth, power, and prestige.
2. The individual’s spot in the social structure.
3. A classification of stratification system that allows more social mobility.
4. The classification of people into socioeconomic class, based upon their occupation and
income, wealth and social status.
5. It refers to the evaluation of status.
6. The extent to which inequalities are encapsulated in, or influenced by political structures
and, processes regarding influence, power and authority.
7. This refers to the unequal distribution of power and resources between men and women.
8. A characteristics of stratification systems that refers to ranking based on their perceived
social worth, creating a layered structure.
9. It refers to the movement of individual from one social class to another.
10. A hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups within a society, based on their
social standing, privileges, and access to resources.
Activity 5: FROM RAGS TO RICHES (Performance
Task)
Direction: Research one (1) male or female Filipino
who has a “rags to riches” life story. Include in your
research his/her ascribed and achieved status in life.
And if possible, attached picture/s of this person. Use a
long bond paper for your answer.