This document discusses social stratification, including its meaning, basis, and forms. Social stratification refers to the division of a society into layers based on factors like wealth, occupation, education, and ancestry. There are two main bases of stratification - biological (e.g. age, sex) and socio-cultural (e.g. wealth, skills). The two main forms are the closed stratification of the caste system and the more open stratification of the class system. A caste assigns permanent status at birth, while class status can change based on wealth, occupation, and other achieved factors. The document contrasts features of caste and class systems and their impact on factors like mobility, democracy, and social

1. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Outline of topic:-
Meaning , Definition
Basis of Social stratification
Forms of Social stratification.
Dr. A.K.Paswan
Asstt.Professor,Deptt.of
Extn.Edu.
T.C.A,Dholi(
Muzaffarpur)

2. Meaning & definitions
The term stratification is taken from the
Geology which refers to different layers of soil or
rock.
As stratum earth surface consisting of various
strata, each of which are distinguish from the
other. Similarly society consists of several layers
of certain criteria, according to which they have
been categorised.
The process by which individual and groups
are ranked in more or less enduring hierarchy
status is known as social stratification.

3. Social stratification is a horizontal division of society
into higher and lower social units- Raymand W. Murary.
Social stratification is the division of population into
two or more layers, each of which is relatively
homogeneous and between which there are differences in
privileges (opportunities), restrictions, rewards and
obligations – Lundberg (1968)
Hence it is clear from the above definition that
inequality of status or rank differentiation is the
distinguishing feature of social stratification, where there
is social stratification there is social inequality.

4. Basis of social stratification
Society can be stratified into two basis:-
1. Biological basis and
2. Socio-cultural basis
1.Biological basis :- It includes- Age, sex, birth, race, & Intelligence
ability.
2. Socio-cultural basis: On the basis of socio-cultural society divided
into following categories:-
A. Wealth: Its quantity& quality, living standard
B. Functional ability of individual i.e Education, Occupation, Skill etc.
C. Religion: The kind and degree of religion professed and practiced.
D. Ancestry: It refers to family reputation, length of residence in the
area, legitimacy, racial or ethnic background.

5. Forms of social stratification
In recent time there are two forms of social
stratification-
1. Closed stratification:- Caste system
2. Open stratification:- Class system

6. Caste
Caste:- The term ‘Caste’ was derived from the Portuguese or
Spanish word ‘casta’ meaning lineage, breed or race.
Although in India the term ‘Verna’ is used to apply caste i.e-
Bramins, Kshstriya, Vashya and Sudra.
A caste is a social category whose members are assigned
a permanent status within a given social hierarchy and whose
contacts are restricted accordingly –Lundberg.
When a class is somewhat strictly heredity we may called
it as caste – Cooley

7. Characteristics of rigid caste system:
 Member of caste can not wed outside their caste.
 For many caste the occupation is fixed.
 Restriction for partaking of food with member of other
caste.
 There are some occupied stratification among the caste
in which Bramins have been accorded the best place at
the top.
 Birth determine the caste of individual for his entire life
so long as he/ she ca not extradited from it. There is no
either possible way of transmitting from one caste to
other.

8. Features of caste in India today
 Restriction on food habit have been relaxed.
 Caste is not very much associated with hereditary occupation.
 Exogamy( Inter-caste or Inter religion marriage)
 The constitution of India removed and made all cate are equal.
 Caste Panchyat have either become very week.
 Touchable or untouchable is not felt among literate people.
 The influence of caste system is slowly decreasing.
 Industrialization, Urbanisation Westernisation etc. change the
roe of caste system

9. Merit and Demerit of caste system
Merits :-
 Sprit of cooperation
 Define economic pursuit
 Racial purity
 Influence intellectual make –up
 Providing for various functions
 Division of labour
Demerits:-
 Denies mobility of labour
 Untouhabilty
 Wrong man occupation
 Obstacle to national unity
 Obstacle to social progress
 Solidarity retarded.

10. Social class system & status
 Status :- basic criterion of social class.
 Each particular class has its own particular social
behaviour.
 It is culturally defined group that is accorded a
particular position of status whether the population as
whole.
 The relative position of the class in the society arises
from the degree of prestige attached to the society.
Criteria of class distinction is based on, birth,
wealth occupation polity or of education

11. Definition of Class
The term Class means a number of individuals in
the same society whose status is similar. Social status
refers to positions of individual or group in relation to
other. As sociological concept, social status is the
difference between higher and lower.
According to Maciver a social class is any portion
of a community marked off from the rest of social status.
A social class has been defined as an abstract
category of persons arranged on levels according to social
status they posses. There are no firm lines dividing one
category from another - Rogers (1960.)

12. Function of social class
1.Simplification : In a society we deal with many
strangers all of whose characteristics we cannot
possibly know. Therefore, we resort to the
practice of classifying them and reacting to
them as member of class.
2.Motivation and coordination: The prestige
which to be accorded to them enables a class to
perform more readily the functions exploited of
its.

13. Difference between Caste and Class system
Caste System
1. Membership of caste is based
on birth
2. There is closed stratification
in, that a person can not rise
above his caste
3. Generally caste system does
hinder democracy
4. In caste system there are
comparatively more strict
restriction in marriage
5. Comparatively more social
distance
6. Caste system is rigid
7. Ascribed
Class System
1. The membership, status, standard of
living of life etc. are based on
objective facts
2. There is open stratification in class,
that a person can change his class.
3. Generally class system does not
hinder the democracy.
4. An individual has comparatively
freedom in a class
5 .Possession of valued objects
increases as caste position increases
(Comparatively less social distance)
6 . Class system is flexible
7. Achieved

14. Thanks