Social stratification is defined directly as the sociological process of dividing a society into social strata, or levels, depending on various characteristics: economic level, professional occupation, income, place of residence, birth origin and access to wealth or lack of it. These characteristics may define the place a person may have within his/ her society and his/her access to influence, social mobility, social acceptance and social status. Some countries allow for social mobility between the stratas, but mostly, even in the most westernized and democratic nations, social mobility may be very difficult, especially when it comes to acceptance. The correct answer here then is A: A division of society into layers.