1. Social Stratification

2. Social Class
People who have similar position in the social
hierarchy, who have similar political and
economic interests.

3. SOCIAL INEQUALITY

4. SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Unequal distribution of social rewards and
resources (“Good Stuff” of a society)

5. Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.

6. Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Wealth

7. WEALTH
• The sum total of a
person’s assets
including what they
own and their
income
• Wealth is not
distributed evenly
throughout the US
22000044 DDiissttrriibbuuttiioonn ooff IInnccoommee IInn UUSS
Highest
Fourth
Fifth
Middle
Second
Fifth
Lowest
HHiigghheesstt –– 4499..22%%
FFoouurrtthh FFiifftthh-- 2233..22%%
MMiiddddllee-- 1155..00%%
SSeeccoonndd FFiifftthh-- 99..00%%
LLoowweesstt-- 33..66%%

8. Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Wealth
Power

9. POWER
• The ability to control the behaviors of others
with or without their consent
• Power can be based on:
– Use of force
– Possession of specific skills or knowledge
– Social Status
– Personal Characteristics (Charismatic Authority)
– Traditional Authority
– Legal Doctrine (Rational-legal Authority)

10. Social Stratification
Ranking of Individuals or categories of
individuals on the basis of unequal
access to scarce resources and social
rewards.
Wealth
Power
Prestige

11. PRESTIGE
• The degree of respect or esteem a
person receives from others
• May be based upon:
– Income
– Education
– Club membership
– Family membership
– Occupation

12. Determining Social Class

13. Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.

14. Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
– Small communities.

15. Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
– Small communities.
– Everybody knows everybody.

16. Reputational Method
• Rank other community members.
– Small communities.
– Everybody knows everybody.
– Not usually very accurate.

17. Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.

18. Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
– Place themselves in the middle class.

19. Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
– Place themselves in the middle class.
– People do not like to place themselves out of
the middle class.

20. Subjective Method
• Individuals asked to rank themselves.
– Place themselves in the middle class.
– People do not like to place themselves out of
the middle class.
– Again, not very accurate.

21. Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.

22. Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.
– Income
– Occupation
– Education

23. Objective Method
• Sociologists define social class.
– Income
– Occupation
– Education
Least biased determination, but the problem can
be with the determinants used.