Social Organization

social position attained through individual effort and achievement

social position a person acquires through birth

system of organization based on rationality and efficiency

system of social stratification in which people are born into a certain class that determines their life trajectory

system of social stratification in which individuals are born into a certain social position, with some people able to move up or down in the social structure over the course of their lives

moving from a higher social class to a lower social class

approach to sociology that examines how the economy relates to society

system of social stratification in which a wealthy class of aristocrats owns large tracts of land and hold power; workers are tied to a particular aristocrat or noble family

concept proposed by Weber, referring to a set of features that is characteristic of a social or historical phenomenon

ties among families or networks of families

social status that is considered the most important or exceptional

system in which people occupy positions according to their abilities and achievements

small group of people who hold all or most power in a society and rule for their own benefit

structured group with an identifiable membership that engages in collective action

group in which members share close, personal relationships

group characterized by impersonal relationships among people who cooperate to achieve a common goal

resources acquired through networks of relationships that grant access to power and opportunity

movement of individuals and groups up and down within overall social structure and social hierarchy

network composed of relationships between people who interact for various reasons

behavior associated with a social status

hierarchical ranking of social groups based on unequal levels of wealth, power, and social status

organized pattern of relationships and social institutions that make up a society

position an individual holds within a society

system of social stratification based on degrees of social prestige, tied to factors including wealth, occupation, lifestyle, and membership in respected groups

collection of statuses held by an individual

moving to a higher social class from a lower social class