Soc101 Final Term Latest Past Papers 2025
Theories of Social Class and Stratification
Max Weber (1864–1920) built upon Karl Marx’s concepts by introducing a more
detailed and nuanced theory of how social classes are structured. While Marx
emphasized the economic dimension of class conflict as the driving force behind
social inequality, Weber proposed a multifaceted approach. According to Weber,
social stratification cannot be solely understood through economic factors;
rather, it encompasses three interconnected components: class, status, and
power. This multidimensional perspective reveals a more complex social
landscape, one where a multitude of social positions and inequalities exist,
surpassing the binary class divisions described by Marx.
In Weber’s theory, status refers to the differences in social honor and
prestige that people experience within society. These status distinctions are
expressed through lifestyles, including modes of speech, dress, housing, and
occupation. Such indicators of social standing help establish an individual’s
position within the broader social hierarchy. People who share a similar status
often form communities where they develop a shared sense of identity and
belonging.
A key question emerges: why do societies exhibit social stratification? The
structural-functional perspective offers one answer: social inequality plays a
necessary and beneficial role in maintaining social order. n 1945, Kingsley
Davis and Wilbert Moore argued that social stratification serves a purpose by
making sure that society’s most critical positions are occupied by those who
are best suited for them. As a result, the existence of stratification systems
across all societies can be understood as serving a vital function in
maintaining societal stability and progress.
Social Class as a Subculture
Culture is typically defined as the collection of language, beliefs,
values, norms, behaviors, and material artifacts that are transmitted from one
generation to the next. Within this broad cultural framework exist subcultures distinct
groups that exhibit unique patterns of behavior and sets of beliefs, values,
and material goods. Different subcultures can develop based on characteristics
like ethnicity, age groups, professions, or social strata. Consequently, social
class itself can be viewed as a subculture, shaping the daily lives of
individuals within its boundaries.
The subculture associated with a particular social class helps individuals
adapt to the lifestyle expected of their class and prepares future generations
to take on the same social status. This transmission of subcultural norms,
values, and behaviors occurs through socialization, where children learn the
expectations and practices of their social class from their families and
immediate communities.
Oscar Lewis, in the mid-1960s, introduced the concept of the "culture
of poverty." According to Lewis, poverty is perpetuated through the values
and behaviors of the poor, which differ fundamentally from those of other
social groups. These attitudes and behavioral patterns, shaped by common
experiences, are passed from parents to children, creating a subculture that
sustains poverty across generations.
Social Mobility and Openness of Society
Social mobility describes how individuals or groups move up or down within
the hierarchy of a society, and this process is heavily influenced by whether
the society permits such movement. In open societies, individuals can attain
their status primarily through personal effort, education, and achievement. Societies
that are open promote social mobility, giving capable individuals from lower
classes the chance to rise economically and socially. In contrast, closed
societies offer limited opportunities for upward mobility, with people
typically confined to the social class and occupation of their birth.
Industrial societies, with their emphasis on equality of opportunity and
meritocracy, generally support higher levels of social mobility and are
considered more open. Pre-industrial societies, however, tend to be more rigid
and closed, as people often remain tied to their family’s traditional
occupations and social standing.
Inter-generational Mobility
Inter-generational mobility measures the changes in social class status
across generations within a family, typically comparing the social position of
parents and their children. It reflects how individuals’ opportunities are
shaped by the circumstances of their birth, as well as the broader social
structures and policies of their society.
Open societies are more likely to encourage inter-generational mobility by
offering equal opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and pursue
their aspirations. Such mobility not only allows people to fulfill their
potential but also ensures that the most qualified individuals fill key
positions within the society, enhancing overall productivity and stability.
Structural Factors Affecting Mobility
Several structural factors shape social mobility. These include the proportion of high- and low-status positions within a society and the availability of opportunities to access those positions. Agricultural economies tend to have a limited number of high-status positions, resulting in lower levels of mobility. In contrast, industrial economies expand the range and number of available occupations, fostering increased specialization and thus greater mobility.
Industrialization contributes to a more intricate division of labor,
leading to the creation of new types of jobs and a wider variety of career
options. As new high-status positions emerge, individuals have more pathways to
improve their social and economic standing. This structural expansion of
opportunities contributes to the higher mobility found in industrial societies.
Individual Factors
While social structures can shape
the number of prestigious, well-paid positions available in a society, it’s the
individual factors that play a big role in determining who ends up in those
roles. In other words, it’s important to understand the process of getting
access to these opportunities. Individuals must have the right qualifications
to enter such positions, but there are many personal factors that can influence
whether someone has the needed qualifications.
For example, people may differ in
their drive and determination to move up in society. Many individuals actively
work to improve their chances of upward mobility by getting a better education.
The work habits and attitudes learned early in life can make a big difference
in a person’s efforts to improve their position. Of course, working hard does
not always guarantee success, but most people who do move up the social ladder
have worked hard to achieve it.
Costs of Mobility
Social mobility allows a society
to place the most capable people in the most important jobs and gives people
the chance to achieve their personal goals. However, it comes with certain
costs. A society that encourages mobility also creates expectations that may
not be met, which can lead to feelings of frustration and unhappiness. Compared
to more traditional societies, mobile societies may see more people facing
disappointment and stress.
The pressures of mobility can
include the fear of losing status (downward mobility), the challenge of
adapting to new roles in the workplace, and the strain on family and social
relationships as someone’s position changes. For instance, parents who are focused
on career success may come home late and spend less time with their children,
which can cause resentment or distance within the family.
The family itself is a social
unit that brings people together to raise children. Marriage is often an
important part of forming families. Although family and marriage are universal
ideas, there is a lot of variation in how they work around the world. Let’s
explore these differences and some of the key concepts related to family and
marriage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study of social class and stratification reveals the
complex and dynamic nature of social inequality. While early theorists like
Marx focused on economic relations, Weber’s multidimensional approach
acknowledges the interplay of class, status, and power. Subcultures within
social classes further shape the experiences and expectations of individuals,
influencing their ability to achieve social mobility. The openness of a society
and its structural factors play a decisive role in enabling or limiting
movement within the social hierarchy. Understanding these factors is essential
for building societies that are not only economically vibrant but also socially
just, offering individuals the freedom to transcend their inherited
circumstances and reach their full potential.
Soc101 Final Term Latest Past Papers 2025, Soc101 final term past papers
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