How is society divided into layers, and what is social class?
The concept of social stratification, the main systems of stratification including the class system, and how social class is defined and measured in modern Britain.
A focused answer on social stratification for WJEC GCSE Sociology: the concept of stratification, systems such as the class system, slavery, caste and feudalism, and how social class is defined and measured.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers social stratification: the way society is divided into layers ranked one above another. You need to define stratification, describe the main systems (the modern class system, and older systems such as slavery, caste and feudalism), and explain how social class is defined and measured in modern Britain, including why it is hard to measure precisely. Stratification is the foundation of the whole of Component 2.
What stratification is
Systems of stratification
The class system in modern Britain
Defining and measuring class
Try this
Q1. Identify two systems of stratification other than class. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Any two of: slavery (people owned as property), the caste system (position fixed at birth) and feudalism (a ranked order from monarch to peasants).
Q2. Explain why social class is difficult to measure precisely. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Class is often measured by occupation, but wealth, status and lifestyle do not always match a person's job, and class is partly about how people see themselves, so any single measure is imperfect.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC (Component 2)2 marksExplain what is meant by 'social stratification'.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (AO1). Reward a clear definition with development.
Definition. Social stratification is the way society is divided into layers, or strata, ranked one above another.
Development. The most important system in modern Britain is the class system, based mainly on occupation and wealth.
Top marks. A precise definition plus an example of a system earns both marks.
WJEC (Component 2)6 marksExplain how social class is defined and measured in Britain.Show worked answer →
An explain question (AO1 and AO2). Reward developed points on definition and measurement.
Definition. Social class is a group of people sharing a similar economic position, in particular a similar occupation, income and lifestyle.
Measurement. Sociologists and government often measure class by occupation, grouping jobs into categories such as professional, intermediate and routine.
Difficulty. Class is hard to measure precisely, because lifestyle, wealth and status do not always match occupation.
Top band. A clear definition, the use of occupation to measure it, and the difficulty of measuring it precisely.
Related dot points
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A focused answer on social class and life chances for WJEC GCSE Sociology: how class shapes life chances, the difference between wealth and income, and the meaning, measurement and causes of poverty.
- The concepts of power and authority, the difference between power and authority, and the three types of authority: traditional, charismatic and legal rational.
A focused answer on power and authority for WJEC GCSE Sociology: the difference between power and authority, coercion versus consent, and Weber's three types of authority - traditional, charismatic and legal rational.
- The concept of social mobility, the difference between open and closed systems and between upward and downward mobility, and the factors that help or hinder movement between classes.
A focused answer on social mobility for WJEC GCSE Sociology: open and closed systems, upward and downward mobility, intergenerational and intragenerational mobility, and the factors that help or hinder it.
- Forms of social differentiation and inequality beyond class: gender, ethnicity, age and disability, the meaning of prejudice and discrimination, and how the law seeks to promote equality.
A focused answer on other forms of inequality for WJEC GCSE Sociology: differentiation by gender, ethnicity, age and disability, the meaning of prejudice and discrimination, and equality law.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Sociology (Wales) specification (C200QS) — WJEC (2017)