Sorokin distinguishes between horizontal and vertical social mobility. Horizontal mobility refers to changes within the same social status level, such as changing political or religious affiliations. Vertical mobility involves changing social strata, either ascending to a higher level or descending to a lower level. Education promotes social mobility by providing opportunities and motivating people to change occupations. While social mobility can promote individual development and social progress, it can also lead to disorder and discontent within societies.

2. According to P.A.Sorokin, “ Social mobility is either horizontal or vertical. Horizontal mobility is the
process of making changes on the same status level, while vertical mobility is the process of changing
from one status to another ,either to a higher or level ”
Sorokin distinguishes
between the following
Two forms of Social
mobility.
•Horizontal mobility
•Vertical mobility

3. Horizontal social mobility
The Position of an individual may change, but his salary,
goods, prestige and other privileges remain the same. Thus, the
social status remains the same.
 Political mobility :- This refers to a person changing his
affiliations from the ideologies of one political party to another.
 Occupational mobility:- Occupational mobility is change from
one occupation to another of the similar type.

4.  Territorial mobility:- Leaving a particular territory by a group of
people and entry into another territory is called territorial
mobility.
 Religious mobility:- Religious mobility is change from one
religious faith to another or conversion from one religion to
another.
 International mobility:- This is international mobility which
also increases when people of over populated countries migrate
to other countries.

5. The relations involved in a transition of an individual
from one social stratum to another.
 Ascending mobility:- It refers to the movement
from lower to higher position.
 Descending mobility:- It means descending or going
down of a person from higher position prestige and
status to lower ones.
Vertical mobility

6. 1.Religious factors:- The religious
concepts based on scientific nature will
increase social mobility.
2. Economic factors:- Economic factors
like industrialization, liberalization, and
globalization will increase the general
standard of living of the people.

8. Education and Social Mobility
 Education Provides good job opportunities.
 Education motivates People to change Occupations
and earn a higher income.
 Mass media influences a large number of People to
convey Knowledge and change their positions in society.
 Education has widened the scope and dimensions
of life, we can adopt any profession.
 An educated person receives recognition, prestige ,
honor and position in society , this will lead to social mobility.

9. Merits and Demerits of Social mobility
Merits
1. Full and whole some development of individual
2. Higher positions to deserving persons
3. Growth of Social efficiency and Social progress
4. Remedy of mal-adjustment
5. Promotion of national Solidarity and plenty
6. Progress of Society towards stability
7. Development of welfare and happiness

10. Demerits
1. Disorder in rural & urban Societies
2. Development of pride and snobbery in individuals
3. Constant discontent of individual with social order