Final answer:
Sociologists refer to the concept of social stratification to describe the ranking of groups based on wealth, power, and prestige, which defines a class within a society. Communities are defined regions where people share culture, and classes influence the kinds of social groups or reference groups people engage with.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sociologists use the term social stratification to refer to the system that ranks groups of people within a society based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. When referring to a large group of people who reside closely together and resemble each other in property, power, and prestige, sociologists are talking about a class. In society, this class system is most often associated with the capitalist mode of production and can determine individuals' socioeconomic status. Classes are divided into hierarchies where people share similar amounts of wealth and power, which in turn affects their social standings.
The structure of society is such that it consists of different groups that are ranked, and within the U.S., communities and cultures are notably diverse. Communities can be neighborhoods like Brooklyn, entire countries like Ethiopia, or regions such as the Southern or Midwestern United States. Whether discussing punk bands or intramural sports, one's social standing can influence the reference groups or social circles they are a part of, illustrating the immediate relevance of social stratification in societal interaction and cultural identity.11