How is society divided into layers, and what does that mean?
Defining social differentiation and stratification, including the key concepts of social class, status, the strata of society, and ascribed and achieved status.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology stratification topic, defining social differentiation and stratification, social class and status, the strata of society, and ascribed and achieved status.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to define social differentiation and stratification and to use the key terms: social class, status, the strata of society, and the difference between ascribed and achieved status. These are the building-block concepts for the whole stratification topic on Component 2, tested directly by short describe and explain questions.
Social differentiation and stratification
The difference is important. Differentiation simply notes that people are divided into groups; stratification adds that the groups are ranked unequally. Sociologists study stratification because these layers shape people's whole lives, from their income and health to their education and life expectancy.
Social class
Class is central because it is largely based on achieved factors (such as the job a person does) but is also influenced by the family they are born into, so it combines both ascribed and achieved elements. The link between class and life chances is one of the most important ideas in the whole topic.
Ascribed and achieved status
The concept of status (a person's social position and the respect it carries) is divided into two types:
- Ascribed status is given at birth and cannot easily be changed: being born into a particular family, sex, or, in some societies, a fixed caste. It is based on who you are, not what you do.
- Achieved status is earned through a person's own efforts and abilities: becoming a doctor, a manager or a champion. It is based on what you do.
Sociologists use this distinction to compare societies. A caste system (such as the traditional system in India) is based mainly on ascribed status and is closed, so movement between layers is very hard. Modern Britain is described as a more open class system with more achieved status, where movement between classes (social mobility) is possible, though class background still has a strong influence.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20192 marksDescribe what is meant by social stratification.Show worked answer →
A two-mark describe item: define the term with a brief image.
Social stratification is the way society is divided into a hierarchy of unequal layers or strata, such as social classes, with some groups having more wealth, power and status than others.
Markers reward an accurate definition (society arranged in unequal layers). Comparing it to layers of rock (strata) helps show the hierarchy.
Eduqas 20214 marksExplain the difference between ascribed status and achieved status.Show worked answer →
A four-mark explain item: define both and bring out the contrast.
Ascribed status is a position given at birth that a person cannot easily change, such as being born into a particular family, sex or, in some societies, caste. Achieved status is a position earned through a person's own efforts and abilities, such as becoming a doctor or a manager.
Develop the contrast: ascribed status is fixed and based on who you are born as, while achieved status is open and based on what you do, which is why modern Britain is described as having more achieved status than a rigid caste system. Markers reward clear definitions of both and an explicit statement of how they differ.
Related dot points
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Sociology (C200) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)