MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) Social Stratification
Aug 7, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of social stratification, where concepts like prejudice, discrimination, and stereotype threat come to life. Discover the different types of power and how social capital affects our lives. Explore gentrification and its impact on communities, alongside a clear distinction between absolute and relative poverty. The discussion also uncovers the social gradient in healthcare, linking education and income to health outcomes. Get ready for enlightening insights on social class structures and mobility!
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Social Stratification Defined
- Social stratification sorts people into ranked socioeconomic levels by income, power, wealth, race, and education.
- These rankings shape access to resources and life chances across societies.
Prejudice Versus Stereotype
- Prejudice is a pre-judgment: a positive or negative evaluation based on perceived group membership.
- It operates as an attitude distinct from stereotypes and from discriminatory actions.
Nature Of Stereotypes
- A stereotype is a widely held, fixed, oversimplified belief about a group's traits.
- Stereotypes may sometimes contain truth but overgeneralize and misrepresent individuals.
