MCAT® ExamPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorMedium
A sociologist is analyzing data on income distribution in a country. They observe that a small percentage of the population holds a disproportionately large share of the wealth, while the majority of the population earns significantly less. This pattern is best described as an example of:
- ACultural relativism
- BSocial mobility
- CMeritocracy
- DSocial stratification
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Social stratification
Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in societies based on factors like wealth, power, and prestige. The observed unequal distribution of wealth is a clear indicator of social stratification.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Cultural relativism is the principle of understanding a culture on its own terms, not judging income distribution.
- B. Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups between social strata, not the structure of the stratification itself.
- C. Meritocracy is an ideal system where status is based on merit, which is not necessarily reflected in unequal wealth distribution.
Social Stratification
The hierarchical division of society into categories, strata, or classes based on factors such as wealth, income, race, education, and power.
- Universal feature of societies, though its forms vary
- Leads to unequal distribution of resources and opportunities
- Can be based on class, status, or power
Memory trick: Layers of society, unequal prosperity.