The Concept Of Social Stratification - 893 Words

The concept of social stratification is quite complex. It involves categorizing a person into socioeconomic levels based upon one’s profession, wealth, social status, and perceived power. Such a stratification makes up a social hierarchy, which involves placing groups of people in a higher standing than another group, with fewer people being included into the ‘higher’ classes. These concepts were not always apparent, only developing as result of human influence. Using Sumer and Uruk as examples, one is able to witness evidence of the formation of some of the earliest forms of complex social establishments. Further, both early civilizations illustrate the emergence of social strata as a result of social organization through agriculture and skill specialization, which still influence social strata. As societies and cultures have evolved through millennia, it is evident that the social strata has increasingly become complex and more people are included into the lower ranks, while the most elite becomes a smaller group of individuals and increasingly powerful. Sumer is one of the earliest ancient civilizations, located in modern Iraq. It was during the Bronze Age that Sumer was permanently settled, around 5500 BC. To survive and flourish in their environment, Sumerians developed the practice of irrigation. Through irrigation the Sumerian agriculture was able to greatly develop, allowing for a continued rise in population that may have accumulated to over 10,000 persons (HoleShow MoreRelatedThe Concept of Social Stratification1290 Words   |  5 PagesSocial stratification can be simply defined by stating that it is a system in which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy (Macionis, page 224). The concept of social stratification is based on four central principles, which are social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences, it carries over from one generation to the next, while it is un iversal, it is also variable, and social stratification involves not only inequality but beliefs asRead MoreThe Movie I Have Chosen For My Review949 Words   |  4 Pagesmistreatment of the Jews. This makes it of historical importance in understanding its social stratification value. It was especially important to Steven Spielberg because he is also Jewish and his family has direct ties to the Holocaust. The social stratification concepts I chose are social differentiation, social inequality, and the stratification systems. Specifically the slave and social class systems. Social Stratification is defined as â€Å"A form of inequality in which categories of people are systematicallyRead MoreMovie Review : Film And Co Produced By Steven Spielberg943 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Jews. This makes it of historical importance in understanding its social stratification value. It became especially emotional for Steven Spielberg because he is also Jewish and his family has direct ties to the Holocaust. The social stratification concepts I chose to select are social differentiation, social inequality, and the stratification systems. Specifically the slave and social class systems. Social Stratification is defined as â€Å"A form of inequality in which categories of people are systematicallyRead MoreSocial Stratification : Functional Theory, And Conflict Theory1091 Words   |  5 PagesDoes Social Stratification Have a Functional Purpose in Society Social Stratification is considered to be a hierarchy of positions concerning economic production which influences the social rewards to those in the positions (Social Stratification, Definition Social Stratification, n.d.). There are two commonly known theories when it comes to social stratification, the functional theory, and the conflict theory. The functionalist believes that stratification is needed for society to enhance stabilityRead MoreQuestions On Sociology Of Education Essay1539 Words   |  7 PagesEducation 1 Submitted by: Bhawna Kapoor (M2014EE004) Systems of stratification in Indian Context Social stratification refers to a system by which categories of people in a society are ranked in a hierarchy. This hierarchy then shapes people’s identity and experiences, their relations with others, as well as their access to resources and opportunities. Social stratification is a society-wide system that unequally distributes social resources among categories of people. In the primitive societiesRead MoreWhat Do Sociologists Mean by Social Stratification?1506 Words   |  7 Pagessociologists mean by social stratification? Discuss its consequences for society and for individuals living within it. Illustrate and support your response with sociological argument and evidence. Sociologists have varying views on social stratification, therefore their approach to how it can impact society and individuals results in very different concepts. This piece of work will identify and discuss the key points which are significant to the sociological debate. Social Stratification is ‘a systemRead MoreContemporary Theory: Stratification Essay examples1245 Words   |  5 PagesA major concern of modern-day theory would be the impacts of stratification within society. Social stratification is defined as the â€Å"hierarchical or vertical division of society according to rank, caste, or class† (Dictionary.com 2014). Social stratification can be operationally defined â€Å"as the systematically unequal distribution of power, wealth, and status (Bowles 2013; Kerbo 2000). Stratification sets up that all known societies past and present â€Å"distribute its scarce and demanded goods and servicesRead MoreSsci 316 Study Guide Answers Essay978 Words   |  4 Pagesor implied status hierarchy, the issues of inequality would not be as important as they are today 2. Are race and ethnicity the only types of inequality in the US today? diversity in US today is not limited to ethnicity, race – other factors: social class (SES or socio-economic status), education, size of group, religion, language As defined in this class what do the terms ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ refer to? (understand that a primary difference is relationship to power; it is not about numbers) Read MoreSociology and Social Integration. D.1725 Words   |  7 Pagestragedies b. new; old c. specific; general d. general; particular 2. According to Emile Durkheim, a category of people with a higher suicide rate typically has: a. more clinical depression. b. less money, power, and other resources. c. lower social integration. d. greater self-esteem. 3. The pioneering sociologist who studied patterns of suicide in Europe was: a. Robert K. Merton. b. Auguste Comte. c. Emile Durkheim. d. Karl Marx. 4. C. Wright Mills claimed that the sociological imaginationRead MoreRelevance of Social Stratification1272 Words   |  6 PagesSocial stratification is defined as the division of a society into a number of hierarchically arranged strata. Strata are the levels or classes in society which are layered in a structured hierarchy with the least privileged at the bottom and most privileged at the top. (Giddens, 1977) A society, or human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority