Social stratification

    AQA
    GCSE

    Social stratification refers to the hierarchical layering of society based on the unequal distribution of wealth, income, status, and power. Candidates must analyse the persistence of inequality across social class, gender, ethnicity, and age cohorts. Critical engagement with theoretical perspectives—specifically Functionalism (meritocracy), Marxism (class conflict), Weberianism (market situation), and Feminism (patriarchy)—is mandatory. Responses must evaluate the shift from traditional occupational class models to contemporary analyses involving cultural and social capital (Bourdieu).

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for explicit use of sociological terminology (e.g., 'meritocracy', 'proletariat', 'glass ceiling', 'social mobility').
    • Credit responses that explicitly 'hook' the provided Item to the argument to satisfy AO2 application requirements.
    • Reward the juxtaposition of theoretical perspectives, such as contrasting New Right views on the underclass with Structural explanations of poverty.
    • High-level responses must demonstrate 'conceptual chains of reasoning' rather than isolated definitions.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit use of sociological terminology (e.g., 'meritocracy', 'proletariat', 'glass ceiling', 'social mobility').
    • Credit responses that explicitly 'hook' the provided Item to the argument to satisfy AO2 application requirements.
    • Reward the juxtaposition of theoretical perspectives, such as contrasting New Right views on the underclass with Structural explanations of poverty.
    • High-level responses must demonstrate 'conceptual chains of reasoning' rather than isolated definitions.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Mine the Item: Explicitly quote or paraphrase the provided text in the first paragraph to secure AO2 marks immediately.
    • 💡Structure 12-mark answers as: Introduction, Agree Paragraph (Theory A), Disagree Paragraph (Theory B), Theoretical Alternative, Conclusion.
    • 💡Differentiate clearly between 'life chances' (opportunities) and 'lifestyle' (consumption patterns).
    • 💡Use the 'PERC' structure for paragraphs: Point, Explain, Refer (to sociologist/study), Critique.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'absolute' and 'relative' poverty definitions or conflating 'wealth' (stock) with 'income' (flow).
    • Attributing Weber's concepts of 'status' and 'party' to Marx, or treating Marxism as a monolithic block without acknowledging Neo-Marxism.
    • Providing anecdotal or common-sense explanations for inequality (e.g., 'laziness') rather than sociological theory (e.g., 'cycle of deprivation').

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

    Ready to test yourself?

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