A-Level Sociology (AQA)

Topic Summaries

Stratification and differentiation

Social mobility

  • Meritocracy: (👤 Saunders, 1950) mobility reflects ability and effort in a merit-based system.
  • Class stability: (👤 Goldthorpe, 1993) relative mobility rates have not significantly increased despite education expansion.
  • Barriers to mobility: (👤 Devine, 1992) social capital and cultural capital maintain advantages for the middle class.
  • Patterns: absolute mobility rose after WWII but has stalled; relative mobility remains limited. Working-class children are less likely to reach top jobs even with similar qualifications

Unlock Social mobility

Sign up to unlock the rest of this topic — plus every other topic, video, flashcard set and eBook guide in your SnapRevise+ subscription.

Cancel anytime — instant access the moment you sign up.

Previous Changes in structures of inequality Next Inequality through social policy