Final answer:
Social stratification is the classification of individuals into a hierarchy based on wealth, power, and prestige, which can result in unequal resource distribution and varying levels of social mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social stratification is the hierarchical ranking within a society of various social class groups according to wealth, power, and prestige. It refers to a society's categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power. This stratification reflects an unequal distribution of resources, where having more money typically means having more power or opportunities.
Social class is a grouping based on similar levels of these three categories: WEALTH - Level of income and resources, POWER - Level of authority over others, and PRESTIGE - Level of status and respect. Societies can have either closed or open stratification systems; a caste system is an example of a closed system, where social standing is inherited and changes in social position are difficult. Conversely, a class system, which is more open, allows for social mobility through achievement, with people falling into classes based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation.
Stratification can also result from attributes like family ancestry, race, ethnicity, age, gender, and it is often reinforced by cultural beliefs and values, forming a complex system of hierarchy and social inequality that is present across various types of societies, including state societies with centralized leadership.