Mini-Lesson

Social stratification

This mini-lesson covers social stratification: class and life chances, functionalist vs Marxist vs Weberian theories, 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 stratification?

A hierarchy of layers; class is the main UK form.
Life chances (Weber) — chances of good health, housing, education.
Ascribed vs achieved status.

Spec note (please read): Pearson/Edexcel does not currently offer a GCSE Sociology qualification, and the code 1SC0 is Edexcel Combined Science, not Sociology. This lesson therefore teaches mainstream GCSE Sociology content (valid across boards) rather than a fabricated Edexcel spec. Check your own board's specification for exact wording.

Quick check

Key term

?The chances of gaining good health, housing and education are called…

Stratification · theories

Functionalist vs Marxist

Davis & Moore (functionalist): inequality is necessary & meritocratic.
Marxism: class conflict, exploitation, false consciousness.

Sort it

Sort the view

Tap a claim, then the theory.

⚖️ Functionalist

🏭 Marxist

🎩 Weberian

Quick check

Whose theory?

?Which theorists argue unequal rewards motivate the talented to fill important roles?

Stratification · Weber

Weber's three dimensions

Class (economic), status (prestige), party (power).

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.

%

Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (62 ÷ 200) × 100.

Stratification · poverty

Poverty & inequalities

Absolute vs relative poverty.
'Culture of poverty' vs structural explanations.
Gender pay gap; ethnicity; age.

Calculate

Your turn — percentage change

✎An average wage index rose from 80 to 92 over ten years. Calculate the percentage increase. Give a whole number.

%

Hint: % change = (change ÷ start) × 100 = ((92 − 80) ÷ 80) × 100.

Match it

Match term to meaning

Tap a term, then its definition.

Statement

Answer

Calculate

Your turn — response rate

✎A researcher posts 450 questionnaires and 288 are completed and returned. Calculate the response rate as a percentage. Give a whole number.

%

Hint: response rate = (returned ÷ sent) × 100 = (288 ÷ 450) × 100.

Calculate

Your turn — percentage

✎In a survey of 400 respondents who agreed Britain is meritocratic, 300 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.

%

Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (300 ÷ 400) × 100.

Quick check

Poverty

?Being unable to afford what most in your society take for granted is…

Calculate

Your turn — sample size

✎A sampling frame lists 700 people. The researcher takes a one-in-seven (1/7) sample. How many people are in the sample?

people

Hint: sample = 700 × 0.14285714285714285.

Quick check

Marxist concept

?Workers accepting inequality without realising they are exploited is…

Recap

Social stratification — the big ideas

Definition: hierarchy; class shapes life chances

Functionalism: Davis & Moore — necessary & meritocratic

Marxism: conflict, exploitation, false consciousness

Weber: class + status + party; poverty: absolute vs relative

You've covered social stratification. Press Finish.

🏆

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