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SociologyAQA (7192) / Edexcel (9SO0)Stratification & Differentiation

Social Stratification — A-Level Sociology

AQA / Edexcel A-Level Sociology

Social stratification is a core topic in A-Level Sociology, examining how society is structured into unequal layers. This interactive tool explores class stratification (upper, middle, and working class), gender inequality (the gender pay gap, glass ceiling, dual burden), ethnic inequality (institutional racism, differential achievement), age stratification, and social mobility (inter- and intragenerational). Compare functionalist (Davis & Moore), Marxist, Weberian, and feminist perspectives on inequality, and explore contemporary data on wealth distribution. Aligned to AQA Paper 3 and Edexcel Paper 2 specifications.

Uses Google Fonts (Libre Baskerville, Rubik). Requires an internet connection for full styling.

Frequently asked questions

What is the functionalist view of social stratification?+
Davis and Moore (1945) argued that social stratification is functionally necessary — the most important and demanding roles require the most talented individuals, who must be offered greater rewards (higher pay, status) to motivate them. Critics argue this ignores inherited wealth, discrimination, and the subjective nature of determining which roles are "most important".
What is social mobility?+
Social mobility refers to movement between social classes. Intragenerational mobility is movement within a person's own lifetime; intergenerational mobility is movement between generations (e.g. a child achieving a higher class position than their parents). The Goldthorpe study and the Great British Class Survey provide key data on mobility patterns in the UK.

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