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UNDERSTANDING
CULTURE, SOCIETY AND
POLITICS
2nd Grading –Module 9
CONCEPTS, CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMS OF
STRATIFICATION
 Isinasaad sa Batas Republika 8293, Seksiyon 176 na: Hindi maaaring
magkaroon ng karapatang-sipi sa anomang akda ang Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas.
Gayonpaman, kailangan muna ang pahintulot ng ahensiya o tanggapan ng
pamahalaan na naghanda ng akda kung ito ay pagkakakitaan. Kabilang sa mga
maaaring gawin ng nasabing ahensiya o tanggapan ay ang pagtakda ng kaukulang
bayad.

Ang mga akda (kuwento, seleksiyon, tula, awit, larawan, ngalan ng produkto o
brand name, tatak o trademark, palabas sa telebisiyon, pelikula, atbp.) na ginamit sa
aklat na ito ay nagtataglay ng karapatang-ari ng mga iyon. Pinagsumikapang
matunton ang mga ito upang makuha ang pahintulot sa paggamit ng materyales.
Hindi inaangkin ng mga tagapaglathala at mga may-akda ang karapatang-aring iyon.
Ang anomang gamit maliban sa aklat na ito ay kinakailangan ng pahintulot mula sa
mga orihinal na may-akda ng mga ito.

Walang anomang parte ng materyales na ito ang maaaring kopyahin o

ilimbag sa anomang paraan nang walang pahintulot sa Kagawaran.

Schools Division Superintendent: Mariano B. De Guzman, CESO VI

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Sueno S. Luzada Jr

Bumuo sa Pagsusulat ng Modyul

Writer: NORMAN C. LINGAHAN, LPT, M.A.Ed.

(Carolina National High School)

Evaluator: HONESTO PESIMO

Education Program Supervisor, SDO Naga City

Evaluator: JARME D. TAUMATORGO

Education Program Supervisor, SDO Naga City

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 INTRODUCTION

Social stratification is a process in which social inequalities exist in the form

of structural hierarchical strata, placed one above the other. According to Sutherland
and Maxwell social stratification is defined as a process of differentiation that places
some people higher than the others. Stratification is viewed as a social process as well
as a method devised by sociologists to understand inequality in the society.
People would differ also based from their personal characteristics. Aside from
their natural differences, people also differ based on a socially approved criteria. Marx
also defines social stratification as a system by which a society ranks categories of
people in a hierarchy. In the United States, it is perfectly clear that some groups have
greater status, power, and wealth than other groups.

LEARNING COMPETENCY / OBJECTIVE(S)

After you enjoyed this module, you are expected to:

a. identify the concepts and characteristics of Stratification systems;
b. distinguish the forms of stratifications; and
c. examine stratification systems using sociological perspective.

TRY THIS!

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read the question carefully in each number and choose
the best answer. Write the LETTER of your answer on the space provided
before the number.

______1. They defined stratification as he process by which individuals and groups

are ranked in a more or less enduring hierarchy of status.
A. Davis and Gisbert C. Sutherland and Maxwell
B. Ogburn and Nimkoff D. Marx and Ogburn
______2. This is one of the perspectives in stratification which ocuses on how
prestige and personal influence create inequality through face-to-face and
small group interactions.
A. Macro-level Analysis C. Meso-level Analysis
B. Micro-level Analysis D. Multi-level Analysis
______3. This refers to one of the sub processes of social stratification wherein
differences are evaluated based from prestige, desirability, etc.
A. Differentiation C. Ranking
B. Evaluation D. Rewarding
______4. This analysis considers the role of international economic systems in
shaping individuals’ resources and opportunities.
A. Macro-level Analysis C. Meso-level Analysis
B. Micro-level Analysis D. Multi-level Analysis
______5. This is being applied to to people who share a set of common characteristics
which are evaluated in terms of desirability and undesirability.
A. Differences C. Ranking
B. Heirarchy D. Position

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 KEEP THIS IN MIND

ACTIVITY NO.1: MY LIFE LADDER

DIRECTION: You are tasked to fill in the boxes as you go through your journey
to life. Put your specific goals in every step of the ladder. Ready?

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

ACTIVITY NO.2: MY LIFE PLANNER

DIRECTION: Create your own life planner by putting your desire achievement and
accomplishments at specific age. GOODLUCK!

Age Plan Age Plan

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 ANALYSIS

PROCESSING QUESTIONS:
Read the questions carefully in each number and answer it briefly. Write
your answer on the space provided.
1. What are the step by step goals you have written in your ladder? Why do you want
to achieve those goals?
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2. At this moment, how can you describe your economic status in your own
community? Would you ask for more?
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3. What do you think is the importance of having social stratification in a specific

society, do you think it contributes to society’s economy?
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ABSTRACTION/GENERALIZATION

CONCEPTS, CHARACTERISTICS AND

FORMS OF STRATIFICATION
Social stratification is a process in which social inequalities exist in the form of
structural hierarchical strata, placed one above the other. According to Sutherland and
Maxwell social stratification is defined as a process of differentiation that places some
people higher than the others. Stratification is viewed as a social process as well as a
method devised by sociologists to understand inequality in the society. It has four sub
processes. Ogburn and Nimkoff define social stratification as the process by which
individuals and groups are ranked in a more or less enduring hierarchy of status.
Stratification and inequality can be analyzed as micro-, meso-, and macro-
level phenomena, as they are produced in small group interactions, through
organizations and institutions, and through global economic structures. There are
three dominant theories that consider why inequality exists on a global scale. First,
some sociologists use a theory of development and modernization to argue that poor
nations remain poor because they hold onto traditional attitudes and beliefs,
technologies and institutions. Second, dependency theory blames colonialism and
neocolonialism (continuing economic dependence on former colonial countries) for
global stratification. Lastly, world systems theory suggests that all countries are
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divided into a three-tier hierarchy based on their relationship to the global economy,
and that a country’s position in this hierarchy determines its own economic
development.
SUBPROCESSES OF STRATIFICATION

TYPES OF STRATIFICATION
1. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION BASED ON ECONOMY
Economic strata have existed in almost society. In this materialistic
philosophy Karl Marx has given enormous importance in the economic
analysis of strata but in the place of strata he refers the term class. These
economic classes according to Marx are the actual representatives of the
Social Stratification.
2. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION BASED ON POLITICS
There is also a political stratification propounded by Gumplowiez and
Ratzenhofer who believe that stratification is derived from the conquests of
divergent ethnic groups. On the other hand Mosca believes that stratification
is simply a distinction between dominant political groups and the masses.
Thus the ruling class determines the structure of society and the level of
civilization. Plato also assumed that stratification is based on the structure
and dynamics of ruling class.
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON STRATIFICATION
Stratification is generally analyzed from three different perspectives:
micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level.
1. MICRO-LEVEL ANALYSIS focuses on how prestige and personal
influence create inequality through face-to-face and small group
interactions. For example, the more physically attractive a person is, the
more likely they are to achieve status in small groups.
2. MESO-LEVEL ANALYSIS of stratification focuses on how connections
to organizations and institutions produce inequality. For example, parents,
teachers, and friends convey expectations about one’s class position that
teach different skills and values based on status.

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 3. MACRO-LEVEL ANALYSIS of stratification considers the role of
international economic systems in shaping individuals’ resources and
opportunities.

APPLICATION

TASK 1.1.After the lesson, you can now identify the factors which affect or lead to
stratification. Fill-in the diagram below by writing each factor inside the figure.

SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION

LEARNING INSIGHTS/REFLECTION

After learning the lesson, its now your turn to give insights about Social
Stratification. How can you see stratification in a society? Is it really helpful? Write
your answer on the space provided below.
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 REINFORCEMENT/ENICHMENT

STRATIFICATION IN MY COMMUNITY. By assessing or observing your community,

fill-in the hierarchical triangle below. You can use proper name or general terms in
answering. Within yiur community who are in every level.

POST TEST

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read the question carefully in each number and choose the
best answer. Write the LETTER of your answer on the space provided before the
number.
______1. They defined stratification as he process by which individuals and groups
are ranked in a more or less enduring hierarchy of status.
A. Davis and Gisbert C. Sutherland and Maxwell
B. Ogburn and Nimkoff D. Marx and Ogburn
______2. This is one of the perspectives in stratification which focuses on how
prestige and personal influence create inequality through face-to-face and
small group interactions.
A. Macro-level Analysis C. Meso-level Analysis
B. Micro-level Analysis D. Multi-level Analysis
______3. This refers to one of the sub processes of social stratification wherein
differences are evaluated based from prestige, desirability, etc.
A. Differentiation C. Ranking
B. Evaluation D. Rewarding
______4. This analysis considers the role of international economic systems in
shaping individuals’ resources and opportunities.
A. Macro-level Analysis C. Meso-level Analysis
B. Micro-level Analysis D. Multi-level Analysis

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 ______5. This is being applied to to people who share a set of common characteristics
which are evaluated in terms of desirability and undesirability.
A. Differences C. Ranking
B. Heirarchy D. Position

GLOSSARY

Macro-Level Analysis of stratification considers the role of international

economic systems in shaping individuals’ resources and opportunities.
Meso-Level Analysis of stratification focuses on how connections to organizations
and institutions produce inequality.
Micro-Level Analysis focuses on how prestige and personal influence create inequality
through face-to-face and small group interactions.

ANSWER KEY
1. B. Ogburn and Nimkoff
2. A. Macro-level Analysis
3. A. Differentiation
4. A. Macro-level Analysis
5. C. Ranking

REFERENCES

Myla M. Arcinas, PhD. 2016. The Padayon Series:Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics. 927 Quezon Ave., Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
Accessed 2016.
https://www.sociologyguide.com/social-stratification/index.php
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/systems-of-
stratification