The study of society, human social interaction, and the rules and processes that

bind and separate people not only as individuals, but as members of associations,
groups, and institutions.

The study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins,
organization, institutions, and development of human society.

Whats the social mobility:-

Social mobility is the degree to which an individual's family or group's social status
can change throughout the course of their life through a system of social hierarchy
or stratification. ...

In a society that defines itself by some type of status hierarchy, people naturally
move up and down in the system throughout their lives. Social mobility refers to
how far and how easily a person can move in the social system. People looking to
gain power and influence, or simply an easier or more luxurious lifestyle, are often
said to be “upwardly mobile.” Yet scrambling for power can also carry its own risks,
and in societies where social mobility is extremely important, it is often much easier
to lose social status than to gain it.

Social mobility often depends on what the society values the most. If it is a society driven by
money and possessions, the highest ranks will be owned by those with the most money or
biggest house. Yet societies rarely value only one trait or concept; if it is found that the biggest
house on the block is owned by drug-dealers in a neighborhood that despises drug-use, the
owner's will likely lose their social status.

While in many cultures social mobility is determined mainly by achievements, some places have
much more rigid structures based on status across generations. In the traditional caste system of
India, social position is determined by the historical rank, or caste, of the family and can rarely
be changed. Social mobility is very limited in areas with rigid social structures, as marriage is
often forbidden or frowned upon between people with widely different social standing.

Rigid social structures have become less common since the mid-20th century. In the Western
world, humans moved away from the complicated concepts of nobility and toward democratic
ideals where each citizen has equal privileges under the law. Although this began as a political
concept, it quickly permeated many societies and greatly relaxed the standards of social mobility.
In the early 20th century, King Edward the Eighth of England was forced to abdicate in order to
marry a woman of a different social class; in 2005, by contrast, Prince Charles of England was
able to marry a commoner without any serious public outcry.

Although the standards of social mobility may have been relaxed, they certainly have not
disappeared. A visit to any high school cafeteria will be a quick and easy reminder that people
are often broken down into different ranks and social groupings based on money, appearance,
and interests. Adults in the modern world do not fare much better than teenagers; status is still
largely determined by occupation, economic position, or values.

Even among animals, society arranges itself into a social hierarchy based on strength and value
to the community. The relative fluidity of wealth and dissipation of defined social classes has
diminished the strict rules guiding mobility to some extent, but it can often lead to confusion as
many social rules are now unspoken and difficult to understand. The world of social mobility can
be quite frustrating and confusing, and leads many to suggest that it is more important to focus
on personal and family happiness rather than social position.

Factors affecting social mobility

Hard work

Social structure

Societal values and norms

Level of education

Marriage

Luck

Types of social mobility :

1) Vertical Mobility-: if a great shift occurs in the position of any individual and this shift
is quite prominent and visible in society is vertical mobility. e.g. A son of a poor former
of remote village joint military after basic education can reach to the post of Military
General is, Vertical Mobility.
2) Horizontal Mobility-: if a person or Group change its profession and locality but if no
change occurs in his / her position and status is Horizontal Mobility. e.g. even a Rich
Land Lord or Feudal migrate to the city but if he is not able to attain a different position
and status despite desire and effort is Horizontal Mobility.
3) Upward Mobility-: under this type of social mobility the people moves towards to
highest position. e.g. a university lecturer joins university but ultimately achieve the post
of Vice chancellor is Upward Mobility.
4) Downward Mobility-: if some one undergoes demotion in his profession and position is
Downward Mobility. e.g. if a Police I.G is demoted to lower rank is a Downward
Mobility.

Nature of Social Mobility

Social Mobility may be defined as the act of moving from one social class to another. An open
class society is one in which mobility is high; a closed class is one in which there is little
mobility. The caste system in which people are confined to the occupations and statuses of their
ancestors is the most extreme example of an closed class society (Berreman, 1981). India is often
sited the world’s most caste-ridden country. Its government now is opening higher status
occupations to low- caste groups which, for centuries, have been limited to low- status work. It is
trying to move India toward an open class society ( Gandhi, 1980 ). In the modern world, many
countries are seeking to increase social mobility in the belief that this makes people happier and
enables them to do the kind of work for which they are best situated. If social mobility is high,
even though individual have unequal social origins, all may believe that they are equal in having
position. If social mobility is Low, then it is clear that most people are frozen into the status of
their ancestors.

What is Social Mobility

1) “Social Mobility is a change of position and status of any person or transformation from
one level to another is Social Mobility.” (David Popnoe).
2) “Social Mobility is a transformation from one state to another state.” (Fare Child)
3) “The Changes taking place in the position and status of an individual in his / her Social
life is Social Mobility.” (P.A Morkin).