How is the class system structured in the United States?

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
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How is the class system structured in the United States?

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Social inequality is present in each society, past or present. This is to say that there is no society that is purely egalitarian in nature as there are always certain individuals and groups who are highly ranked than the others as they possess socially desirable characteristics. Societies have always operated on the principle of differentiation arising out of inequality among individuals and social groups in terms of access to power, prestige and resources. This makes differentiation the key note of social stratification. Social stratification is the process of dividing people into strata. These layers are decided on the basis of presence or absence of certain characteristics like innate qualities, material possession and performances. A stratified society appears like a pyramid where the base is comprised of people lacking power, prestige and property. The apex  of the pyramid are composed of the minority with socially desirable traits like material possession of valuables and with the qualities to undertake and execute tasks better than those below them.

 

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