This document defines and discusses social stratification. Social stratification refers to a society dividing its members into rankings based on factors like wealth, class, education, and power. It universally exists in all societies in dividing people into higher and lower social units or classes. The key characteristics of social stratification are that it is a universal social process that divides society into different strata with rankings of superiority and inferiority in a stable, permanent manner. The main forms of social stratification discussed are slavery, estates, caste systems, and social status. Understanding social stratification is important because it lies at the core of sociology and links many social processes by predicting behaviors and life chances based on one's social position.

1. Submitted By: Leena Gauraha
Guided By: Dr. Archana Gomasta
Class: B. Ed IVth Sem
Durga Mahavidyalaya, Maudahapara

2. Index
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MEANING
3. DEFINITIONS
4. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION
5. BASIS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
6. FORMS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
7. NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION
8. LIMITATIONS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
9. CONCLUSION
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3. 3
Introduction
Social stratification refers to a society’s categorization of its people into rankings based on
factors like wealth, income, education, family background, and power. Sociologists use the term
social stratification to describe the system of social standing.

4. Meaning
The word social stratification is made up of two words social and
stratification. In which the term social denotes society and the term
stratification denotes different levels.

5. Definitions
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“Stratification is the division of society into higher and lower social units.”
“Stratification is the division of individuals in a given society- such as upper class, middle
class and lower class.”
- Bertend Russel
- Raymond Moore

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8. 8
Characteristics of Social
Stratification
3. Universal Process: Social stratification exists all over the
world. It is found in primitive tribal society, in modern society
and also in communist society.
2. Division of society in different strata: The whole
society gets divided into different levels. Like rich-poor,
king-subjects, master-servant, brahmin-shudra, officer-
employee etc.
1. Social Process: Social stratification is a social process.
It is created automatically. In this the whole society
automatically gets divided into different into different
classes.

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Cont...
4. Ranking of Superiority and Inferiority: In social stratification,
the whole society is divided into upper and lower class.
5. Stability or Permanancy: Social stratification can not exist
without the quality of stability, perfect example would be
The Indian Caste System.

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II. ECONOMIC BASIS
Wealth Occupation
REGIONAL BASIS
CULTURAL BASIS
POLITICAL BASIS

12. 12
Forms of Social Stratification
Slavery Estate Caste System Social Status

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15. Conclusion
Social Stratification lies at the core of society and of the
discipline of sociology. Social inequality is a fundamental
aspect of virtually all social process, and person’s position in
the stratification system is the most consistent predictor of
his or her behaviour, attitudes, and life chances. Social
stratification links almost all aspect’s of society together, and
therefore understanding what is happening to social
stratification helps us to understand a wide range of other
changes in society.