Stratification keywords

Equality (of outcome)

Everyone gets treated the same because they all end up with the same thing. No incentive to work hard.

Equality (of opportunity)

Everybody is given the same chance to do well and get the same outcome.

Meritocracy

There is equality of opportunity in society. Everyone has an equal chance of doing well. Hard work is rewarded.

Social mobility

Ability to move up or down the social hierarchy, often through economic status and opportunities.

Life chances

An individual’s opportunities of doing well or having success.

Status

An individual’s position or role in society. Can depend on career.

Power

The ability to influence, lead, or dominate others, or to get what you want despite opposition.

Poverty

A state of deprivation, either absolute or relative, where individuals lack the resources to meet basic needs or a standard of living acceptable in society.

Representation

How groups, ideas and concepts are portrayed in the media and other forms of communication.

Prejudice

A preconceived and usually negative opinion or feeling about someone or a group, often without sufficient evidence.

Discrimination

Treating someone unfairly, or unjustly because they belong to a particular group or have certain characteristics, rather than based on individual merit.