PSY/SOC

Types of Social mobility

Types of Social mobility

Change or movement of individuals, groups, or families between or within status categories in society (eg, from middle class to upper class). 

Social mobility can be horizontal (ie, same social status) or vertical (ie, up or down in social status) and is related to a multitude of other factors, such as educational achievement, job loss, career advancement, marriage, and institutionalized discrimination.

Intragenerational

Social mobility occurs within a single generation (ie, within a lifetime). 

Intergenerational

Social mobility occurs over multiple generations (ie, across several lifetimes).

Social stratification

A system of inequality in society whereby individuals are grouped into hierarchical social categories that have differential access to resources, opportunities, and life outcomes.  Class systems and caste systems are two types of social stratification systems.

Caste System

• Individual social status is ascribed from birth

• Social groupings are rigid

• Social mobility is very difficult

Class System

• Individual social status is at least partially achieved through merit (eg, ability, hard work)

• Social groupings are flexible/fluid

• Social mobility is possible

In-groups

Individuals feel they belong.

In-groups and out-groups can be defined according to race, gender, religion, age, socioeconomic background, or other criteria.

People tend to view members of their own in-group more favorably or feel more comfortable when interacting with these members. 

Out-groups

Individuals do not feel they belong.  In-groups and out-groups can be defined according to race, gender, religion, age, socioeconomic background, or other criteria.

Meritocracy

A system in which individual status is based entirely on hard work and ability,

Social loafing

Occurs when an individual exerts less effort while working in a group versus working alone. 

• For example, when asked to pull as hard as possible on a rope, people tend to pull harder by themselves than when others are also pulling.  Research suggests that factors such as group size and motivation or interest in the group task may impact the degree to which individuals engage in social loafing.

Looking-glass self

Cognitive Dissonance