 Social class (or, simply, class), as in class society,

is a set of concepts in the social sciences and

political theory centered on models
of social stratification in which people are
grouped into a set of
hierarchical social categories.
 The term social class refers to a group of people
having a similar rank (Garcia, 1992)
 Stark (June, 1987) defined social class as a group of
people sharing a similar position or status.
 Social class is a category of people who share roughly
the same class, status, and power, and who have a
sense of identification with one another (Brinkerhoff
& White, 1988).
 Social class or stratum refers to a set of families that
share equal or nearly equal prestige according to the
criteria of evaluation in the system of stratification
(Weber, in Barber, 1952
1. Education- it is one of the most important factors
in determining ones social class. An individual who
has obtained a university degree is able to move a
higher class stratum. Compared to those without
college education, professionals are regarded highly
by the society.

2. Income- A families income determines the lifestyle

of its members. The higher the income, the higher
the class stratum.
3. Intelligence- Intelligent people are usually
recognized in the society. Oftentimes, their
opinions are solicited in case of an impasse on a
certain contentious issue.

4. Occupation- The quality of education,

training, and work experience are the
determining factors in ones social class based on
occupation.
1. Bourgeoisie(Capitalist) – these are the
people who own the means of production such as
lands factories and machinery.

2. Proletariat(Workers) – They constitute the

exploited laboring class. The members of this
class do not have anything except their labor.
1. Class – A class simply consist of individuals who have
similar economic standing with in the society. Class
according to Weber is determined by wealth and is based
on economic ranking.

2. Status – It is a ranking of social prestige and/or honor.

Often it is indicative of the lifestyle of the individuals.
Weber believed that status groups tended to form
communities in the sense that the members of each
status group often have frequent contact with one
another out of friendship, similar values, attitudes, and
ways of living.

3. Power – Weber defined power as the chance of people to

realize their own will against the resistance of others.
 Upper class
Families under this class occupy a high,
stable position, and represent approximately three
percent of the total population. They exercise
considerable control over corporations and
government.
 Middle class
Members of this class comprise
approximately 25% of the total population. People
within this class receive modest income and they
are mostly middle level professionals and semi-
professionals.
 Lower class
This is the largest of the social class
comprising around 72% of the population. Most
of them earn low incomes, observes simple living,
and have little or no savings.
 Isthe movement of an individual or a
group from one social class or social
stratum to another (Theodorson, 1969)

 Referred as the process of changing

one’s social class (Brinkerhoff, 1988)
 Vertical Mobility
 Horizontal Mobility
 The upward or downward movement from one
level to another.
 Refers to a change in position that does not
involve any real change in class rank.
 Refers to a change in social position occurring
during a person’s lifetime.

 Is the upward or downward social mobility

of children in relation to their parents.
1. Level of economic development of the
country
2. Level of industrialization and
urbanization
3. Rapid expansion of the service sector
4. Competition
5. Education
 Power
“Power is the ability to attain goals, control
events and influence other people, even in the face
opposition”
 Prestige
It consists of the approval and respect an
individual or a group receives from other members of
society.
 Wealth
The total economic assets of an individual or
family.
 People tend to break under pressure of
striving for success, which results in
loneliness, anxiety , frustration, and various
types of social disorganization.
 It involves loosening of family ties and
detachment from old friends.
 Adaptation to new lifestyles
 Making new but casual friends
 Relocating or transferring to a new place of
residence.
 Loss of self-confidence.
 Social Isolation
 Desperation
 Diverse emotional changes
 Social and cultural maladjustment