Defining social stratification, the main systems of stratification, the concept of social class, and the difference between achieved and ascribed status.

What this dot point is asking

AQA wants you to define social stratification, know the main systems used to divide societies, understand social class, and explain the difference between achieved and ascribed status. This is the foundation of the stratification topic on Paper 2, and the definitions are tested directly.

What is social stratification?

The word "strata" comes from geology and captures the idea of a society made up of stacked, unequal layers. Importantly, stratification is not only about money: it involves three things together, wealth (economic resources), power (the ability to influence others) and status (social honour or prestige). A person can be high in one and lower in another, an idea developed further by Weber.

Systems of stratification

The key contrast is between open systems, where people can move between layers (high social mobility), and closed systems, where position is fixed at birth (no mobility). A class system is open because position depends largely on what you achieve; a caste system is closed because position depends entirely on what you are ascribed at birth.

Social class and status

In Britain, social class is the main form of stratification, usually divided into the working, middle and upper classes based on occupation, income, wealth and lifestyle. A key distinction underpins the open/closed difference between systems, the two types of status:

• Ascribed status is fixed and given at birth, such as being born into a noble family or a caste. It cannot easily be changed by the individual.
• Achieved status is earned through a person's own effort and ability, such as gaining qualifications, building a career or reaching a senior job.

Class systems are more open because status is mainly achieved, allowing social mobility; caste systems are closed because status is ascribed and fixed.