AQA GCSE Sociology (8192) · 3.6 Social stratification
Mini-Lesson
The sociology of social stratification
This mini-lesson covers AQA Topic 3.6 — Social stratification: what stratification and social class are, theories of stratification (functionalist vs Marxist vs Weberian), life chances, poverty, and inequalities of gender, ethnicity and age.
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Some questions are multiple-choice, some are sort-and-match games, and a few use simple research-methods maths (percentages and sample figures). Press Start when you're ready.
Stratification · basics
What is social stratification?
Social stratification is the way society is structured into a hierarchy of layers or strata, with some groups having more power, wealth and status than others.
Social class — the main form of stratification in modern Britain, based largely on economic position and occupation.
Life chances (a term from Weber) — a person's chances of achieving positive outcomes such as good health, education and housing. These are shaped by their position in the hierarchy.
Ascribed vs achieved status — status given at birth (e.g. by caste) vs status earned through effort.
Quick check
Key term
?The chances a person has of gaining good health, housing and education, shaped by their position in society, are called their…
Stratification · theories
Functionalist vs Marxist views
Functionalists (Davis and Moore) argue stratification is necessary and beneficial: unequal rewards motivate the most talented to fill the most important roles (role allocation) in a meritocracy.
Marxists argue stratification reflects the class conflict between the bourgeoisie (owners) and proletariat (workers). Inequality is not fair but a product of exploitation, hidden by false consciousness.
Evaluation: critics of Davis and Moore ask why some highly-paid jobs are not the most 'important', and note that inequality can waste talent.
Sort it
Sort the view
Tap a claim, then the theory that makes it.
⚖️ Functionalist
🏭 Marxist
🎩 Weberian
Quick check
Whose theory?
?Which theorists argue stratification is functional because unequal rewards motivate the talented to take on the most important roles?
Stratification · Weber
Weber & the three dimensions
Max Weber agreed class matters but said stratification has three dimensions:
Class — economic/market position.
Status — social honour or prestige.
Party (power) — the ability to influence and organise.
This is more complex than Marx's two-class model and helps explain groups (like professionals) that don't fit neatly.
Calculate
Your turn — percentage
✎In a survey of 200 people in the lowest income group, 62 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
Absolute poverty — lacking the basics needed to survive. Relative poverty — being poor compared with the standard of living in your society.
The 'culture of poverty' and welfare dependency arguments blame the poor; structural explanations blame low pay, unemployment and inequality.
Gender — the gender pay gap and the 'glass ceiling'. Ethnicity — some minority groups face higher poverty and discrimination. Age — the young and old can face particular disadvantages.
Calculate
Your turn — percentage change
✎An average weekly wage index rose from 80 to 92 over ten years. Calculate the percentage increase. Give a whole number.