Notre Dame of Masiag, Inc.

Masiag, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat

Government Recognition (R-XII) No. SK 405761-040, s. 2021
DepEd ID: 405761 ESC ID: 1201693
TIN: 000-578-187 (Non VAT)

LEARNING PLAN
S. Y. 2023-2024
SUBJECT: Understanding Culture Society and Politics QUARTER: FIRST
GRADE LEVEL: 11 HUMSS /ABM/TVL WEEK

TOPIC:
Social and political stratification
CONTENT STANDARDS:
Cultural, social, and political institutions assets of norms and patterns of behaviour that relate to major social interests
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
1. analyse aspects of social organization
2. identify one’s role in social groups and institutions
3. recognize other forms of economic transaction such as sharing, gift exchange, and redistribution in his/her own society
LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
The students will be able to:
1. explain the meaning and nature of social stratification
2. distinguish social stratification and social differentiation
3. identify the indicators of social stratification
4. differentiate the characteristics of the systems of social stratification
5. analyze the claims and explanations of the structural-functionalists, conflict theorists,
and symbolic-interactionists on social stratification

INTRODUCTION

Society is composed of different groups with different social structures, that is some groups are
higher or lower than other groups. All societies of any size, large or small have a social structure.
Though, as societies grow larger, more often different groups are formed within them. Social
stratification results when one group has a functional importance in the community while others do not.

In the previous lesson, you have examined the functions and importance of educations in the
society. You have learned that education is an essential part of any society because this is the primary
way of enlightening an individual with each aspect of life. It is therefore a must that the school system
delivers to society individuals whose abilities have been developed sufficiently so that they are able to
assume positive and productive societal roles. Moreover, for the preservation and enhancement of
knowledge and the development of character within our given form of society which will best prepare
the individual for the conditions of extreme novelty the near future is bringing.

This lesson will provide you with information and various activities that will help
you understand the concept, characteristics and forms of stratification systems using
sociological perspective
MOTIVATION
Activity 1:
Directions: Analyze each statement below. Write TRUE if it is correct, otherwise FALSE.
1. Social stratification the process where a society determines a person'sworth based on their income and
wealth, as well as other characteristics like gender,class and age, and distributes social rewards
accordingly.
 2. Social stratification is only found in industrialized socieities.
3. From a structional-functinalist perspective, poverty may serve positive functions for society.
4. A class system is more closed than a caste system.
5. Ethnicity is constructed from cultural traits, whereas race is constructed from biological traits
6. Estate systems of social stratification have two classes.
7. Different societies have different explanations of why people should be unequal
8. Caste systems are characterized by a high level of equality.
9. The idea that social inequality plays a vital role in the smooth operation of society is consistent with the
structural-functional approach.
10. The caste system is a more open straification system than a class system
INSTRUCTION/DELIVERY
The teacher will discuss the following:
Meaning and Nature of Social Stratification
Social Stratification is Distinguished from Social DifferentiationTypes of Social Stratification and
their Characteristics
Kinds of Social Mobility
Theoretical Perspective and Analysis of Social Stratification
ENRICHMENT
A. PROCEDURE :
Activity 2
Directions: Look for a person (a local figure) whom you consider very successful today, that is he/she
started as a poor person until he/she succeeded in life (political, education, business, religious field).
Write his/her success story. Use a separate paper for your output. You will be graded based on the
rubrics below.
Criteria Score
Content 2
Mechanics 2
Neatness 1
Name of the Successful Person:
Residence:
Present Position: Nature of Work:
Sources of Information:

Success
Story______________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__
B. ABSTRACTION
Meaning and Nature of Social Stratification

Sociologists use the term social stratification to describe the system of social standing. There
are various meanings of social stratification and is defined as follows:
 It refers to what sociologists call it as “ institutionalized inequality” of individual or “social
injustice” due to social categories (Ariola, 2012).
 It is an institutionalized pattern of inequality in which social categories are ranked on the
basis of their access to scarce resources Brinkerhoff & White, 1988).
 It is the way people are ranked and ordered in society (Cole, 2019).
 It is a system whereby people rank and evaluate each other as superior or inferior and, on
the basis of such evaluation, unequally reward one another with wealth, authority, power, and
prestige. One result of each differentiation is the creation of a number of levels within the
society. (Hebding & Glick, 1992)
 It is the hierarchical arrangement and establishment of social categories that evolve into a
 social group together with statuses and their corresponding roles. (Panopio el al., 1994)
 It is the differentiation of a given population into hierarchically superposed classes. It is
manifested in the existence of upper and lower social layers. Its basis and very essence
consist in an unequal distribution of rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities, social
values and privations, social power and influences among the members of a society
(Sorokin, 1927).

Social Stratification is Distinguished from Social Differentiation

Social differentiation refers to how people can be distinguished from one another. People in a
group may differ in skin color, hair color, race, mental and physical ability, and the like.

Social stratification refers to the ranking of people in a society. In closed stratification, people cannot change
their ranks while those in open social stratification, people can change their ranks. In short social stratification is
the separation of people into social categories and these categories are ranked as higer or lower.
Indicators of Social Stratification

There are some people that are treated in another way because of the social status, power,
income, prestige and among others that they hold in their society (Arcinas, 2016).

The individual’s position in the social structure is called status. The higher or lower positions
that come about through social stratifications are called statuses. Statuses are not the same. One may
get different statuses in different ways. They can be ascribed or achived. Ascribed statuses are
assigned or given by the society or group on the basis of some fixed category, without regard to a
person’s abilities or performance. These include sex, family background, race, and ethnic heritage. You did
nothing to earn these statuses; you have no control over these characteristics and no opportunity or
chance to choose your family, your sex, and your race. In the Philippines, the children of Ayala’s and the
Zobel’s have ascrived statuses (Zulueta, 2006). Whereas, achieved statuses are earned by the individual
because of his or her talent, skills, occupation and persevernace. These include, degree or educational
attainment, promotion, position, earned wealth and the like. For example, Nora Aunor has moved up in the
social ladder because of her beautiful voice and singing talent. Prestige refers to the evaluation of
status. You have prestige according to your status. For example, being the president of the Supreme
Student Government of your school, you have the prestige of a president whether or not you perform and
carry out well the duties and responsibilities of SSG president (Baleña et.al., 2016).

According to Max Weber, most societies would favor those with power, prestige, status, wealth
or class. According to Weber’s Component Theory on Social Stratification, these three would determine
a person’s standindig in his/her community:

1. Power refers to the ability to influence other people. It is getting what they want despite the
unwillingness of others to give in to their desires.
2. Prestige refers to the person’s position in the society. This refers to having a certain status
that enables someone to have resources or opportunities.
3. Wealth refers to the amount of resources that a person has (Arcinas, 2016).

As mentioned by Ariola (2012) in his book, one may be viewed as belonging to the upper social
strata or lower social strata depending on the following dimensions:

Sources of Income. There are different sources of income. These are the inhereted wealth, earned wealth,
profits, professional fees, salaries, wages, private relief, among others. Wealth is everything that is owned by
a person. Inherited wealth is acquired since birth and without effort.
Acquired wealth is achieved through ones effort either by talent, income or by marriage.
Income refers to the amount of money a person receives.
 1. Occupation. What people do for a living determines, to a large extent, the social position of
the person. Occupation may be classified into professionals, non-professionals (clerks,
drivers, etc) proprietors of small business, skilled workers, semi skilled workers, and unskilled
workers.

Examination of the mentioned occupations indicates disparities in prestige, income

and power.

2. Education. Educational attainment of a person may be categorized as masteral or doctoral

degree holder, college graduate, high school graduate, elemetary school drop-out, among
others. Possession of the person of any of these educational backgrounds may characterize
the person’s status in the community.

3. Types of house dwellings. Dwellings can be categorized as permanent house (concrete

and excellent in appearance), semi-permanent house (semi-concrete and very good in
appearance and construction), temporary house (wood and fair in appearance and
construction), and poorly constructed house (houses found in squatter areas, or those
considered below-the-bridge houses).

4. Location of residence. Power, prestige and wealth are also attached to the location of
residence. There is disparity of social status when one residence is located in Forbes Park,
White Plains, squatter area, mountainous-rugged area, in subdivision and non-subdivision
area.

5. Kinship or family. In the Philippines, when a person belongs to the Ayala’s, Soriano’s,
Zobel’s, Villar’s, that person is regarded as belonging to the upper class (rich) status.
Children of sultans and datus are hgihly regarded as rich. If a person is from a family
whose house is situated in the squatter’s area, that person is regarded as poor or
belonging to lower class status.

Types of Social Stratification and their Characteristics

Generally, there are three (3) known types of social stratification: open systems, closed systems
and ethnic systems ( Ariola, 2012).
Sociologists distinguish between two types of systems of stratification – open system and closed system.
For the anthropologists, they include ethnic system as another type of social stratification.
A. Open System
General
Categories
Characteristics
 The class structure is an 1. Upper Class – The people in this class have great wealth and
open system. It encourages sources of income. They constitute the elite wealthy group in the
people to strive and achieve society. They have high reputation in terms of power and prestige.
something. People They live in exclusive residential area, belong to exclusive private
belonging to one social clubs, and may have strong political influence in the system of
class have similar government. They own several cars and properties and their children
opportunities, similar may study in exclusive schools.
lyfestyles,
attitudes, behavior and 2. Middle Class – The people in this class may belong to the upper-
possibly similar middle class which is often made up of highly educated business and
socio-economic positions. professional people with high incomes, such as doctors, lawyers,
It is based on stockbrokers, and CEOs or to the lower-middle class often made up
aachievement, allow of people with lower incomes, such as managers, small business
movement and owners, teachers, and secretaries. Aside from generally command of
interaction between layers high income, people belonging to the upper-middle class often have
and classes. One college education, live in comfortable homes, own properties, have
person can move up or some money savings, and active in community activities. People in
down to class through the lower-middle class have not achieved the same lifestyle of the
intermarriages, opportunities, upper –middle class but somehow have modest income and live in
or simple life.
achievement. People
have equal chance to 3. Lower Class –The lower class is typified by poverty, homelessness, and
succeed. Whether unemployment. The people in this class belong to the bottom of socio-
people do something to economic ladder. They may be categorized into two: upper-lower class
improve their lives or not and lower-lower class. In the upper-lower class, people are
this greatly depends considered as the working class or laborers. They have acquired little
on them. education, little time to be involved in civic and community activities.
Some of them are underemployed, have many socio- economic
problems, with lttle or no luxuries at all. The people in the lower-
lower class are unemployed, or no source of income except by
begging or dependent from private and government relief. Many of
them live in squatter areas, under the bridge, in street corridors, or with
no house at all. Many of them are liabilities of society because they
may be involved
in drug addiction and criminaliities.
B. Closed Systems
General
Categories
Characteristics
Closed system 1. Caste System – It is regarded as closed stratification system in which
accommodates little people can do little or nothing to change their social standing. Social
change in social position. contact is rigid and clearly defined. People are born and die in their
They do not allow people caste. Contact between and among the caste is minimal and governed
to shift levels and do not by a set of rules – especially those who belong to the lower degree, as
permit social this will tend to bring them down.
relationships between We do not practice caste sytem in the Philippines. It existed for
levels. centuries in India and this includes the Brahmans who are associated
with the priesthood, the Kahatryias (the warriors), the Vaishyus (the
businessmen and traders), and the Shudrus (the servants).

2. Estate System – It is somewhat a closed system in which the person’s

social standing is based on ownership of land, birth, or military strength.
Individuals who were born into one of the estates remained there
throughout life but in extreme cases there is social mobility, that is people
could change their status. In the middle ages there are three (3) major
estates in Europe – nobility, clergy, and the
 peasants.
C. Ethnic System
General Characteristics
This type of social stratification is based on national origin, laguage and religion. Ethinicity sets
segments of society apart and each group has a sense of identity. People interact more freely with
those people belonging to the same ethnic category. During the Spanish and American colonial
systems in the Philippines, the colonizers perceived themselves to be occupying the upper social class
than the Filipinos or the natives whom they called as Indios.
Immigrants usually belong to a lower status than the inhabitants. The
Gaddangs, Itawis, Ituweraw, Ilonngots, and other ethnic minority groups are considered inferior than
the others.

Social Stratification and Social Mobility

Social mobility refers to the movement within the social structure, from one social position to another. It means
a change in social status. All societies provide some opportunity for social mobility. But the societies differ
from each other to extent in which individuals can move from one class or status level to another.
Thus, people in society continue to move up down the status scale. This movement is called ‘social
mobility’. For example, the poor people may become rich, the bank peon may become bank officers,
farmers may become ministers, a petty businessman may become a big industrialist and so on. At the
same time a big businessman may become a bankrupt and ruling class may be turned out of office and
so on.

Kinds of Social Mobility

In a democratic state like the Philippines, a person can improve his social status but the degree of
mobility varies. In an open system, every individual is provided equal opportunities to compete for the
role and status derived regardless of gender, race, religion, family background and political inclination.
There are three (3) types of social mobility: social mobility, geographical mobility, and role mobility.

1. Social Mobility refers to the movement upward or downward among the social positions in
any given social stratification. It may be upward (vertival) mobility and downward (horizontal)
mobility. Vertical mobility refers to the movement of people of groups from one status to
another. It involves change in class, occupation or power. For example, the movement of
people from the poor class to the middle class. Horizontal mobility is a change in position
without the change in status. It indicates a change in position, within the rage of the status.
A change in status may come about through one’s occupation, marrying into a certain
family and others. For example, an engineer working in a factory may resign from his job and
join another factory.

2. Geographical Mobility is otherwise known as physical mobility. It may be a vluntary

movement of people from one geographical area to another due to change in residence,
communiting fro home to office, making business trips, and voluntary migration from one
country to another. It may be also a forced migration which include forced relocation or
residence, eviction, dispossession of unwanted people, and transportation of slaves.

Role Mobility is the individual’s shifting from role to role. Every member of a society has roles to play. Different
situations call for enactment of various roles. For example, the father is the bread earner of the family but
may be a teacher in school, or the leader at home or a follower in the school or office. A daughter may be
submissive at home but very active and active as a campus student leader. A teacher may have varied
roles such as being a mother, a wife, a guidance counselor, a community leader and many more (Ariola,
2012).
Theoritical Perspective and Analysis of Social Stratification
 Social stratification can be examined from different sociological perspectives—structural-
functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic- interactionism.

Theoretical Perspective Major Assumptions/Analysis

Stratification is necessary to induce people with

Structural - Functionalism special intelligence, knowledge, and skills to enter the
most important occupations. For this reason,
stratification is necessary and inevitable.
Stratification results from lack of opportunity and from
Conflict discrimination and prejudice against the poor, women,
and people of color. It is neither necessary nor
inevitable.
Stratification affects people’s beliefs, lifestyles, daily
Symbolic - Interactionism
interaction, and conceptions of themselves.

In sociology, the functionalist perspective examines how society’s parts operate. It is a

macroanalytical view that focuses on the way that all aspects of society are integral to the continued
health and viability of the whole. Structural- Functionalism recognizes that all societies maintain some
form of social stratification, and therefore, social stratification must have important functional
consequences. According to Davis & Moore (1945), different aspects of society exist because they
serve a needed purpose. They argued that the greater the functional importance of a social role, the
greater must be the reward. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal
value of different work. Certain tasks in society are more valuable than others. Qualified people who fill
those positions must be rewarded more than others.
Conflict theory focuses on the creation and reproduction of inequality. Conflict theorists are
deeply critical of social stratification, asserting that it benefits only some people, not all of society. Conflict
theory’s explanation of stratification draws on Karl Marx’s view of class societies and incorporates the
critique of the functionalist view mentioned above. Many different explanations grounded in conflict
theory exist, but they all assume that stratification stems from a fundamental conflict between the needs
and interests of the powerful, or “haves,” in society and those of the weak, or “have-nots” (Kerbo, 2009). The
former take advantage of their position at the top of society to stay at the top, even if it means oppressing
those at the bottom. At a minimum, they can heavily influence the law, the media, and other
institutions in a way that maintains society’s class structure.
Symbolic-interactionism is a theory that uses everyday interactions of individuals to explain society as a whole.
Symbolic interactionism examines stratification from a micro-level perspective. This analysis strives to explain
how people’s social standing affects their everyday interactions. Consistent with its micro orientation,
symbolic interactionism tries to understand stratification by looking at people’s interaction and
understandings in their daily lives. Unlike the functionalist and conflict views, it does not try to explain why we
have stratification in the first place. Rather, it examines the differences that stratification makes for people’s
lifestyles and their interaction with other people. In most communities, people interact primarily with others who
share the same social standing. It is precisely because of social stratification that people tend to live, work,
and associate with others like themselves, people who share their same income level, educational background,
or racial background, and even tastes in food, music, and clothing. The built-in system of social stratification
groups people together. This is one of the reasons why it was rare for a royal prince like England’s Prince
William to marry a commoner. Symbolic interactionists also note that people’s appearance reflects their
perceived social standing. Housing, clothing, and transportation indicate social status, as do hairstyles,
taste in accessories, and personal style.
To further understand the lesson, let the students watch the video given the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV5X-ewG7G0
 B. ANALYSIS
Activity 3

Directions: Complete the table by listing down the assumptions of the three theoretical
perspectives (Structural – Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic- Interactionism) on social
stratification. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.
Theoretical
Assumptions
Perspectives
Structural -
Functionalism

Conflict Theory

Symbolic-Interactionism

Actvity 4:

Directions: Differentiate the three social classes under open system by completing the
graphic organizer below.
Middle Class
Upper Class
Lower

Activity 5

Directions: Answer the following questions briefly but substantially. Write your answer in a
separate sheet of paper. Your answers will be scored based on the rubrics below.
Criteria Score
Content 2
Mechanics 2
Neatness 1
1. How is social stratification differ from social differentiation?
 2. How is open system of social stratification differ from closed system of social stratification?

VALUES INTEGRATION
Let the students reflect on the question below.
Activity 6
Let’s Reflect!
1. As Notre Damean, which of the core values NOTRE DAME developed/activated in yourself as we tackle the Social
and political stratification.
EVALUATION
Activity 7
Let’s Evaluate!
Directions: Read very carefully the questions below and choose the letter that corresponds to your
answer. Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following defines social stratification?

A. Social isolation of people from each other
B. System in which everyone is equal but perform very different tasks
C. System by which a person's place in society is defined by birth
D. None of these

2. Which of the following best describes how social class is related to social stratification?
A. Each layer has many layers of social stratification
B. Each layer of social stratification constitutes a social class
C. The terms social stratification and social class mean the same thing
D. Social stratification exists in caste systems, whereas social classes only exist in noncaste
systems

3. What is the key distinction between a caste system and a class system?
A. a marriage within a specific group
B. occupational prestige
C. educational opportunity
D. social mobility
4. What is Social Stratification?
A. The division of society into categories, ranks, or classes.
B. The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards
C. A social structure in which classes are determined by ascribed status.
D. A social structure in which classes are determined by achieved status.

5. The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards is known as .

A. Social Inequality
B. Social Mobility
C. Social Sharing
D. Social Stratification

6. The most distinguishing characteristic of a caste system (where class is based on birth) is that
A. People can only move intergenerationally
B. People can move vertically, but not horizontally
C. Social status is inherited and cannot be changed
 D. Social status can be changed by education and hard work

7. A factory worker's son earns his way through college and eventually becomes a physics engineer.
This is an example of
A. Horizontal mobility
B. Intergenerational mobility
C. Role mobility
D. Vertical mobility

8. Isidra moves from a job as a computer programmer to a job as a Web page designer. This is an
example of
A. Horizontal mobility
B. Intergenerational mobility
C. Role mobility
D. Vertical mobility

9. Which of the following perspective states that "inequality exists because some people are willing to
exploit others"?
A. Conflict perspective
B. Structural-Functionalist
C. Social Exchange
D. Symbolic-interactionist

10. A politician describes inequality as a motivator of people to fill the different and necessary positions
in society. He is using example of .
A. Conflict theory
B. Social Exchange theory
C. Structural-Functionalist theory
D. Symbolic-interactionist theory

Prepared: Checked: Approved:

KENETH ROSE R. FAGTANAN LANY T. CATAMIN DANILO B. MONTOY, MAEM
Teacher SHS Coordinator Principal