Final answer:
The shift from an egalitarian to a stratified society is marked by the emergence of unequal resource distribution and a hierarchical structure. This stratification is maintained by societal structures and is influenced by economic and social changes that affect individuals' standing within the social hierarchy. Sociological perspectives provide insight into the implications of stratification on individual and group interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transformation from an egalitarian society to a stratified society manifests through several social and structural changes. In an egalitarian society, resources and power are distributed evenly, whereas a stratified society is characterized by a clear hierarchy and unequal distribution of resources, power, and privileges. This shift can occur through various means, such as the establishment of leadership roles based on charisma or birthright, often seen in horticultural societies, or the development of complex market economies in state societies, where social hierarchy and inequality become more pronounced.
Social stratification is supported by the structure of society itself and can be observed in systems of systemic inequalities, often referred to as "Isms". Examples include racism, classism, and sexism, among others. These systemic inequalities are apparent society-wide and impact individuals' social standing through mechanisms such as structural mobility, which is influenced by societal changes rather than individual efforts. Societal developments like industrialization or economic recessions can drive widespread upward or downward mobility within a social class system.
Sociological perspectives like functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism offer different interpretations of social stratification's impact on daily interactions and individual attitudes. Specifically, from a symbolic interactionist viewpoint, social stratification influences people's everyday lives, guiding their routines, beliefs, and interactions based on perceived class indicators such as prestige, power, income, and wealth.