Consider the following statements:
(A) Patterns of unequal access to social resources are commonly called social inequality.
(B) Some social inequality reflects innate differences between individuals, such as their varying abilities.
(C) Sociologists use the term social exclusion for a system by which categories of people are ranked in a hierarchy.
(D) The hierarchy of social stratification shapes people's identity, experiences and access to opportunities.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, B and D only
(A) Patterns of unequal access to social resources are commonly called social inequality. — Correct. Social inequality is the name for patterns of unequal access to social resources such as wealth, education and contacts.
(B) Some social inequality reflects innate differences between individuals, such as their varying abilities. — Correct. Some inequality does come from innate differences, such as varying abilities and efforts. By and large, though, inequality is produced by society.
(C) Sociologists use the term social exclusion for a system by which categories of people are ranked in a hierarchy. — Incorrect. The term for a system that ranks categories of people in a hierarchy is social stratification. Social exclusion is a different idea about people being shut out of full participation in society.
(D) The hierarchy of social stratification shapes people's identity, experiences and access to opportunities. — Correct. Once the hierarchy is in place, it shapes people's identity and experiences, their relations with others and their access to resources and opportunities.
NCERT (2026-27): “Social Inequality … “… Sociologists use the term social stratification to refer to a system by which categories of people in a society are ranked in a hierarchy.” “This hierarchy then shapes people’s identity and experiences, their relations with others, as well as their access to resources and opportunities. …” |