CONCEPT,

CHARACTERISTICS AND
FORMS OF STRATIFICATION
SYSTEMS
UCSP QUARTER 2 – MODULE 3:
AFTER GOING THROUGH THIS MODULE, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:

• 1. identify the concept of stratification using a pyramid of social classes;

• 2. compare and contrast the characteristics of two forms of stratification
systems using a Venn diagram;
• 3. identify social mobility and social inequality in understanding
stratification systems in sociological perspectives; and
• 4. view stratification systems as a way for social mobility and a reason of
social inequality in the society.
CONNECTING THE PREVIOUS LESSON TO NEW LESSON
THE PYRAMID OF SOCIAL CLASSES
INSTRUCTION: IN THE PYRAMID OF SOCIAL CLASSES SHOWN BELOW, FILL IN
THE BOXES TO INDICATE THE SOCIAL CLASS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PLACED
IN EACH LEVEL.
THE CLASSES THEY BELONG
INSTRUCTION: CATEGORIZE THE GIVEN PERSONAS BASED ON THEIR WEALTH,
POWER, SOCIO-ECONOMIC CAPABILITY, PRESTIGE AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
What is Social Class
Social class or class is
the division of a
society based on
social and economic
status. People in the
same social class have
the same
socioeconomic status.
 ACTIVITY 1
• WHAT. What makes an individual or group of people belong to upper, middle, or
lower class? Explain the basis for your answer.

• HOW. How could education be a way for social mobility and eventually change one’s
current social class?

• WHY. Do you think inequality may arise in a society because people don’t have the
same social status in life? Why or why not?
OBJECTIVE 2

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE

CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO
FORMS OF STRATIFICATION
SYSTEMS
CHARACTERISTICS OF
STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS

• 1. Universal but variable.

• 2. Not a matter of individual differences.
• 3. Persists across generations.
• 4. A social beliefs.
1. UNIVERSAL BUT VARIABLE.

• Stratification is universal but variable because it shows

up in every society in the world, but how exactly it
looks like, how it divides and categorizes people, and
what the advantages or disadvantages are that come
with that division - vary from society to society.
 2. NOT A MATTER OF INDIVIDUAL
DIFFERENCES.
• we can see the effects of social stratification on people
regardless of their personal choices or traits. For example,
children of wealthy families are more likely to live longer and
be healthier, to attend college, and to excel in school as
compared to children born into poverty. Moreover, they are
more likely to be wealthy themselves when they grow up.
3. PERSISTS ACROSS GENERATIONS.

• Stratification serves to categorize and rank

members of society across generations, resulting
in different life chances. Yet generally, society
allows some degree of social mobility, or changes
in the position within the social hierarchy.
4. A SOCIAL BELIEFS.
• Society’s cultural beliefs tell us how to categorize people, and
they define inequalities of a stratification system as being normal,
or even fair. If people don’t believe that the system is right, it
won’t last. Beliefs are what make systems of social stratification
work and it is through these beliefs about social stratification that
inform what it means to deserve wealth, success, or power.
FORMS OF STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS

• 1. CLOSE SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION - In a closed system of

stratification is little or no opportunity to advance from one social class
to another. Social status is hereditary, based on a group characteristic.

• 2. OPEN SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION - In an open system there is

an opportunity to move from one social class to another (achieved
status)
India’s
Caste
System –

best-known
forms of close
system of

stratification.
1. CLOSE SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION

• The system required endogamy - marriage within your own caste

category. In everyday life, the caste system determines whom one
could interact with, and how, with systems of social control, contact
between lower and higher castes is restricted.
• This whole system is based on a set of strong cultural and religious
beliefs that living within your own category is a moral and spiritual
duty
II. OPEN SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION

• Class System is one of the best examples of open system of

stratification and is not based solely on ascribed status at birth
alone. Instead, it combines ascribed status and personal
achievement or achieved status in a way that allows some
social mobility.
Statuses are not the same.
ascribed statuses, which are assigned or given by the
society or group based on some fixed category, without
regard to a person’s abilities or performance. Ex. sex,
family background, race, and ethnic heritage or wealth.
achieved statuses are earned by the individual. Ex. A
poor teenager becomes an actress-singer after winning
in a television contest
ACTIVITY 2
COMPARE AND CONTRAST 2 DIFFERENT STRATIFICATION: THE CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIA AND THE CLASS
SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES USING A VENN DIAGRAM.
REVIEW CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION

a. Variable b. Unified
1. Stratification is universal but ___________.

a. TRUE b. FALSE
2. Children of wealthy families are more likely to be wealthy
themselves when they grow up.
a. Inequality b. Mobility
3. People sometimes move upward or downward in social class,
which is the basic concept of social ________.

a.Closed System b. Open System

4. A form of stratification system where social status is
hereditary.

a. Endogamy b. Polygamy
5. A marriage within your own caste category
 OBJECTIVE 3

•Identify social mobility and social

inequality in understanding
stratification systems in sociological
perspectives
FUNCTION VS. DYSFUNCTION
 Activity 3 :
WORK IN PAIR AND ANALYZE THE
PROFILE PIC ABOUT THE FAIRY TALE
STORY OF PRINCE HARRY AND
MEGHAN MARKLE. ALSO, ANSWER
THE GUIDE QUESTIONS THAT
FOLLOW.
Did you know that a fairy tale happy ending can happen
in real life too? This fairy tale story of Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle started when they got married on May
19, 2018 at St. George's Chapel on Windsor Castle in
the United Kingdom.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is the youngest son of
Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales,
and is sixth in the line of succession to the British
throne. Before marrying the love of her life, Meghan
Markle meanwhile was a freelance calligrapher and
taught bookbinding to support herself apart from her
acting jobs back then. She also took on several contract
acting and modeling jobs, including a stint as a
"briefcase girl" in the US game show Deal or No Deal.
INSTRUCTION: ANSWER EACH QUESTION
BY COMPLETING THE SENTENCES.

• QUESTION 1. As individuals before they got married, who do you think

belongs to the upper class, middle class or lower class? Explain.
• I think Prince Harry’s social class belongs to ___________________
while Meghan Markle’s before marrying Prince Harry, her social class
belongs to ________because __________________________________.
QUESTION 2. Do you think Prince Harry’s social status is
considered as ascribed status or achieved status? Why do you
say so?
I think Prince Harry’s social status is called
________________ because ___________________

QUESTION 3. What form of stratification systems do you

think these two personalities belong to, caste system or class
system? Why do you say so? I think in contemporary days
they both belong to ___________________ because
__________________________
 OBJECTIVE 4

•View stratification systems as a

way for social mobility and a
reason of social inequality in the
society.
THE PHILIPPINE PRE-COLONIAL SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION

• The Timawa
• The Maginoo
• The Alipin
• The Maharlika
PYRAMID OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

• INSTRUCTION. Using the names of the groups of people

mentioned earlier, arrange them using a pyramid of social
stratification through these factors such as wealth, power,
rights, privileges, entitlement, and achievements in the
society. Beside each social class, draw a symbol that
represents them.
ACTIVITY 4

INSTRUCTION. MAKING IT AS YOUR OWN MOTIVATION TO REACH DREAMS AND GOALS IN LIFE, SET OUT THE JOURNEY IN THE SOCIAL
CLASS BY RELATING YOUR PERSONAL ANSWERS IN THE CONDITIONS SET IN EACH STATION. WRITE DOWN YOUR RESPONSES ON THE
SPACE PROVIDED.
The Starting Point asks you to write your social class whether
you belong to upper, middle, or lower class based on the factors
such as power, wealth and prestige. There is nothing to be
ashamed of being honest here.
The First Station is for you to identify your dream profession that
you wanted to be in the future.
The Second Station is for you to state the reason whether your
family can or cannot afford to support your dream profession.
The Third Station is for you to write what are the other obstacles
you may think you will encounter in achieving your dream
profession.
The Fourth Station is for you to write other ways to help yourself
in supporting your finances as you achieve your dream profession.
The Milestone Station is where you finally achieve your dream
profession. On the box provided write your own motto in life that
is connected in achieving your goals or dreams in life.
- THE END