Social Stratification Research Articles

Luck, skill, and depth of competition in games and social hierarchies.

Patterns of wins and lo sses in pairwise contests, such as occur in sports and games, consumer research and paired comparison studies, and human and animal social hierarchies, are commonly analyzed using probabilistic models that allow one to quantify the strength of competitors or predict the outcome of future contests. Here, we generalize this approach to incorporate two additional features: an element of randomness or luck that leads to upset wins, and a "depth of competition" variable that measures the complexity of a game or hierarchy. Fitting the resulting model, we estimate depth and luck in a range of games, sports, and social situations. In general, we find that social competition tends to be "deep," meaning it has a pronounced hierarchy with many distinct levels, but also that there is often a nonzero chance of an upset victory. Competition in sports and games, by contrast, tends to be shallow, and in most cases, there is little evidence of upset wins.

The social stratification of the Syro-Potamian dialect of Deir Ez-Zor: exploring linguistic prestige and identity in a diasporic dialect

The social stratification of the Syro-Potamian dialect of Deir Ez-Zor: exploring linguistic prestige and identity in a diasporic dialect

A multi-paradigm approach to characterize dominance behaviors in CD1 and C57BL6 male mice.

Social status and dominance are critical factors influencing well-being and survival across multiple species. However, dominance behaviors vary widely across species, from elaborate feather displays in birds to aggression in chimps. To effectively study dominance, it is essential to clearly define and reliably measure dominance behaviors. In laboratory settings, C57BL/6 mice are commonly used to study dominance due to their stable and linear social hierarchies. However, other mouse strains are also used for laboratory research. Despite substantial evidence for strain effects on behavioral repertoires, the impact of strain on dominance in mice remains largely unstudied. To address this gap, we compared dominance behaviors between CD1 and C57BL/6 male mice across four assays: observation of agonistic behaviors, urine marking, tube test, and a reward competition. We found that CD1 mice demonstrate increased fighting, increased territorial marking through urination, and increased pushing and resisting in the tube test. We used unsupervised machine learning and pose estimation data from the reward competitions to uncover behavioral differences across strains and across rank differences between competing pairs. Of the four assays, urine marking and agonistic behaviors showed the strongest correlation with dominance in both strains. Most notably, we found that CD1 dominance rankings based on the tube test negatively correlated with rankings from all three other assays, suggesting that the tube test may measure a different behavior in CD1 mice. Our results highlight that behaviors can be strain-specific in mice and studies that measure social rank should consider assays carefully to promote reproducibility.Significance Statement Recent studies have highlighted that social dominance can significantly impact behavior and the brain. As such, accurately measuring dominance behavior in laboratory settings is crucial in neuroscience research. In this study, we investigated the consistency of four dominance assays for male mice across two common mouse strains. We find that not all assays result in the same dominance rankings and dominance behaviors differ across strains. Our study sheds light on the importance of considering strains for assay selection, rigor, and reproducibility.

Exploring religion's influence on causing emotional distress

While Hinduism offers many positive teachings and practices that promote well-being, certain interpretations and pressures within the religion—such as rigid social hierarchies, religious guilt, and community pressure—can also contribute to feelings of isolation, low self-worth, and anxiety. Cultural pressures and gender-specific roles within Hindu families can also significantly impact mental health, particularly for married Hindu women who face the dual responsibilities of managing household chores and fulfilling religious obligations. These expectations to raise children, participate in daily prayers, and uphold familial honor can lead to emotional and psychological overwhelm, resulting in heightened stress levels and decreased mental well-being. It is essential to recognize that the effects of these pressures vary widely based on individual experiences, family dynamics, and personal beliefs. By emphasizing flexibility, inclusivity, and mental health awareness within Hindu communities, we can help mitigate these negative impacts and foster a supportive environment where individuals can balance spiritual practices with their well-being.

Human diet and social complexity during the middle and late Dawenkou period at the Jiaojia Site, China

Scholars have usually examined social complexity of the Dawenkou culture, Neolithic China through mortuary rituals, and have long assumed that there was graduated development of both social stratification and gender inequality. The newly discovered Jiaojia cemetery dated to the middle and late Dawenkou period, provides us a valuable opportunity to investigate the development of social complexity with a different perspective. We carried out stable isotopic analysis of human and animal bones from the Jiaojia site to explore the relationship between human diet and social complexity. The results indicate that Jiaojia people’s diets are dominated by C4 foods (i. e. foxtail and broomcorn millet), and the contribution of C4 foods increased significantly over time, suggesting the further development of millet farming. In addition, there were signs of food-based social stratification in the late phase of the Jiaojia site, more C3 foods and meat were consumed by some elites. However, the dietary difference between males and females was not significant. This study demonstrates that dietary studies can be a valuable lens to examine the development of social complexity, and it also confirms that social complexity should be examined through multiple dimensions, mortuary practice is only one of them.

Undifferentiated Potency and Chiefly Punishment: A Phenomenological Analysis of Flogging in Botswana

In light of recent controversies surrounding judicial flogging in the customary courts of Botswana, this article surveys journalistic coverage of the issue and seeks to establish an account of flogging as a cultural practice. Drawing on legal, sociocultural, and phenomenological perspectives, it argues that flogging is deeply embedded in social hierarchies of age, rank, and morafe membership, and can be interpreted as a disciplinary practice aimed primarily at unruly youths. Morafe elders teach proper modes of public comportment that involve managing thoughts and behaviors, a practice termed here bodily modulation. Through bodily modulation, individuals convey an understanding of botho, or ‘humanness,’ expressing their existential interdependence with others and cultivating the social relationships that sustain their personhood. Flogging and its enmeshment with other aspects of Tswana life point to the theme of undifferentiated potency in Tswana thought, of which law is only one instantiation among others.

Innovation amnesia: Technology as a substitute for politics

This paper outlines a theory of amnesia in the face of innovation: when apparent technological innovations occasion the disregard of preexisting cultural, legal, and infrastructural norms. Innovation amnesia depends on cultural patterns that appear to be increasingly widespread: the valorization of technological innovation and the sensation of limited political space for reforming social arrangements. The resulting amnesia is by default an extension of existing structural inequalities. If innovations arise through deploying concentrated private wealth, the amnesia will likely target institutions that facilitate collective power among less powerful people. Up and down social hierarchies, however, achieving amnesia through innovation can bear irresistible allure. When other paths for structural change become mired in inertia or gridlock, amnesia may appear to be the only available pathway to reform. The purpose of a theory of amnesia is to assist affected communities in noticing it when it occurs and wielding it to their advantage, particularly through mobilizing self-governance around moments of innovation.

Pengaruh Perceived Price Terhadap Willing To Buy Jasa Transportasi Indriver dengan Perceived Quality Sebagai Mediator

Transportation is a fundamental necessity for individuals across all social strata. An efficient transportation system ensures that people can easily traverse geographical distances, connect various communities, and facilitate interactions. The proliferation of online transportation companies has led to increased competition in the industry. As a result, these companies are increasingly focused on creating attractive promotions to influence users' decisions when choosing which application to use. To stand out in this crowded market, companies often introduce various promotions and discounts to attract potential customers. InDrive, a ride-hailing platform, distinguishes itself in the competitive market by offering unique and innovative features: price negotiation. The benefits of this feature include serving price-conscious consumers and offering flexibility to find a ride with a tariff that matches their budget. This innovative approach can generate cost savings for users while providing additional income opportunities for drivers. The research population consists of Telkom University students from the 2021-2023 cohorts, with 100 respondents selected through online questionnaires distributed via social media. The sampling method used was simple random sampling, and the data was analyzed using SPSS. The research findings indicate that the perception of price and the perception of quality on the InDrive application have a significant relationship, quality perception affects the willingness to buy InDrive transportation, price perception affects the willingness to buy InDrive transportation, and quality perception serves as a mediator between price perception and the willingness to buy..

New Evidence for Prehistoric Textile Production and Social Complexity on the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, Southwestern China

ABSTRACT This paper presents new discoveries of textile tools and fabric remains from the Yanyuan Basin, offering insights into textile production and social complexity on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau from the late 4th to the late 1st millennium b.c. The findings from the Yanyuan Basin, along with those from other parts of the region, indicate that spindle whorls have been used by individuals with diverse cultural traditions and of different social status since the Neolithic period. In the Bronze Age, clay whorls generally came from small and medium burials, likely associated with spinning workers. However, bronze textile tools were commonly found in large burials from the late Bronze Age, during which significant social stratification took place, and they were likely symbols of the wealth and high social status of the occupants. This study proposes that textile production changed from a household activity to a socially organized activity over time.

Chronic high-dose testosterone disrupts social cognition and enhances social dominance in male long-Evans rats

While increased aggression is the most consistent behavioral effect of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse, its cause remains unclear. AAS may promote aggression by disrupting social behaviors which maintain dominance hierarchies. To model AAS abuse, we treated male rats with chronic high-dose testosterone and tested social recognition, social learning, and competitive and aggressive dominance. Rats received daily injections s.c. of testosterone (7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (n = 8/group). We tested social recognition by measuring investigation of a novel or familiar stimulus animal, social learning with the social transmission of food preference (STFP) test, aggressive dominance with the tube test, and competitive dominance with a food competition task. For social recognition, testosterone-treated rats did not prefer the novel stimulus rat (72.8 ± 9.3 s) over the familiar rat (68.8 ± 8.0 s, N.S.) rat. In the STFP test, testosterone-treated rats did not show a significant preference for the demonstrated flavor (59.9 ± 9.4 %, N.S.) compared with controls (70.1 ± 5.4 %, p < 0.05). In the tube test, testosterone did not increase the number of rounds won. However, when the testosterone-treated rat won, they were more likely to be lighter than their vehicle-treated opponent, χ2(1,N = 63) = 6.56, p < 0.05, Φ2 = 0.32. In the food competition task, testosterone-treated subjects won more often (48 rounds) than their vehicle-treated partners (15 rounds; p < 0.05). These results suggest that AAS disrupt recognizing and learning from the social hierarchy and increase the likelihood of challenging it. Collectively, these behavioral changes may contribute to AAS-induced aggression.

Review of The Buccaneers, Apple TV+

Abstract On 8 November 2023, Apple premiered an adaptation of The Buccaneers, created by Katherine Jakeways. The series revives the nineteenth century using lush production and costume design to comment anew on class division, race relations, and, above all, gender imbalances. Inevitably compared to Netflix’s smash Regency romance, Bridgerton, the series is more like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, for it incorporates deliberately anachronistic music and contemporary speech to emphasize that the romantic and familial struggles of its characters resemble those of contemporary women. While it alters and embellishes Wharton’s original narrative, it retains the novel’s insistent critique of social rigidity and, surprisingly, introduces welcome nuance. In its own way, it follows Wharton in imagining a more modern existence of female freedom and solidarity.

몽골인의 사회계층이 관광 목적지 숙식 및 체험활동 선택에 미치는 영향 : 홉스골 국립공원 지역 관광자를 대상으로 한 이항 로지스틱 회귀분석

Looking at Mongolian tourists to the Khuvsgul National Park area, this study examines the impacts of tourists’ social stratification on their accommodation, dining, and experiential activity choices. The survey was conducted both online and offline at five different accommodations in the Khuvsgul National Park area between January 2024 and March 2024, and 288 valid questionnaires were used for the binary logistic regression analysis. The results showed that tourists’ occupation, average monthly household income, and subjective social class significantly influenced their choice of either luxury (e.g., hotels and resorts) or inexpensive accommodation (e.g., traditional Mongolian ger camps). Specifically, office workers were about 4.24 times more likely to stay in hotels or resorts than unskilled laborers, and the probability of staying at a hotel or resort increased by 1.45 times with each increment in subjective social stratification. In regard to tourists' dining choices (i.e., eating at hotel or resort restaurants vs. bringing their own food or eating at regular restaurants), average monthly household income and subjective social class had significant effects. However, education level influenced neither accommodation nor dining choices. Finally, tourists’ choices of some experiential activities (e.g., Tsaatan experience and Sukhbaatar ship travels) were influenced by their occupation and other control variables such as gender and age. The study findings and their implications were further discussed at the conclusion of this article.

Effortful control is associated with ethnic minority children's pro-wealth biases and explanations across social domains.

Children's tendency to prefer rich to poor people and to view wealthy individuals more positively has been well-documented, but little is known about (a) the mechanisms underlying this "pro-wealth" bias and (b) the extent to which it holds across various social domains (e.g., friendships vs. school project partners). Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined the development of status-based social preferences in a socioeconomically diverse sample of children from Chinese American immigrant families (N = 169; 7-11 years; MAge = 9.16 years, SD ± 1.05; 87 male, 82 female). We examined the development of these preferences in middle childhood, a period during which aspects of group membership and social stratification are salient, particularly for children of immigrants. Children exhibited preferences for a high-status child over a low-status child across three social domains (friendship, playdate, and school project). Children's open-ended responses explaining their preferences most commonly referenced status-based stereotypes (e.g., "He's more educated, he might know more about the topic") and personal loss or gain (e.g., "I'll get to play with his stuff"). Children higher in parent-rated effortful control exhibited fewer status-based preferences and were less likely to reference status-based stereotypes and personal loss or gain in their explanations. Together, these findings shed light on the complexity and nuance of children's pro-wealth bias, as well as the underlying forces that drive these social preferences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Invisible Social Class: Relational Equality and Extreme Social Exclusion

In this article, I develop a novel relational egalitarian theory of social exclusion that explains how society fails to treat socially excluded individuals – such as people experiencing homelessness, individuals with substance use disorders and mental illness and sex workers – as equals. I argue that society places and keeps excluded individuals at the very bottom of the social status hierarchy by treating them as socially invisible, or by rendering them physically invisible, or both. The upshot, then, is that part of what is wrong with social exclusion is that it creates the invisible social class.

The literal meaning of Slur

This research explores the complex and multifaceted nature of slurs within modern sociolinguistic contexts. The study aims to dissect the power dynamics embedded in these terms, examining how slurs function as instruments of social control, perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing social hierarchies. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and case studies, this research investigates the historical origins, evolution, and contemporary usage of slurs across different cultures and communities. The findings reveal that slurs are not merely offensive words but are laden with historical and cultural significance, often reflecting broader societal attitudes towards race, gender, sexuality, and other identity markers. The study also considers the psychological impact of slurs on individuals and groups, demonstrating how these terms can inflict lasting emotional harm and contribute to a hostile social environment. In addition, the research addresses the phenomenon of reappropriation, where marginalized groups reclaim slurs as a form of empowerment and resistance. This process is analyzed to understand its potential in challenging and subverting the oppressive connotations traditionally associated with these terms. Ultimately, this paper underscores the importance of recognizing the deep-seated implications of slurs in everyday language and advocates for a more nuanced approach to addressing linguistic discrimination. The research concludes with recommendations for fostering more inclusive and respectful communication practices in diverse social settings.

Vertical Mobility and Mental Gap of Scheduled Caste Students in West Bengal

This study investigates the complex relationship between vertical mobility and the mental gap experienced by Scheduled Caste (SC) students in West Bengal. Vertical mobility refers to the process by which individuals or groups ascend the social hierarchy, while the mental gap represents psychological barriers that often impede SC students from realizing their full potential. This research aims to elucidate various aspects of vertical mobility, examine the factors contributing to the mental gap experienced by SC students in higher education, and explore strategies to address these challenges to promote both personal development and upward mobility. To accomplish this objective, we employed qualitative documentary analysis and conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature, policy documents, and relevant case studies to gain a deeper understanding of the socioeconomic realities and educational trajectories of SC students. Our findings indicate that vertical mobility encompasses multiple dimensions, including educational attainment, career progression, and diverse social perspectives. Furthermore, we identified key contributors to the mental gap, such as internalized biases, economic constraints, and the pervasive influence of caste consciousness. By elucidating these critical factors, this study sought to propose effective strategies for bridging mental gaps and enhancing upward mobility among SC students. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding social equity and empowerment for marginalized communities, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions that facilitate the full integration of SC students into mainstream educational and social spheres.

The Construction of Social Inequality Reality Among Characters in the Drama Pyramid Game

This study examines the construction of social inequality among characters in the drama Pyramid Game using Peter Berger’s social construction theory and Charles S. Peirce’s semiotics. The research aims to analyze how visual and linguistic elements reflect social inequality between the characters. A descriptive qualitative analysis was employed, focusing on scenes depicting social inequality. The findings show that externalization is evident in actions and dialogues that demonstrate the enforcement of social rules and hierarchies. Objectivation is reflected in the shared acceptance of social inequality as a recognized reality, while internalization is observed in how the characters adapt to their roles within the social hierarchy. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of social inequality in the context of the drama.

&lt;b&gt;Medium of Instruction: The Context of Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary Level in Bangladesh&lt;/b&gt;

Medium of instruction (MoI) has turned into a matter of dispute in post-colonial societies for various conditions, such as favoring foreign languages over local or native tongues, enacting monolingual laws in multilingual communities, and creating inconsistencies between education policies and practices. This study aims to give a critical overview of MoI policies and practices from primary to higher secondary levels and their social, economic, and cultural effects in Bangladesh. The study employed a systematic literature review approach as part of secondary research. The study finds Bangla as a medium of instruction (BMI) by de jure and English as a medium of instruction (EMI) by de facto, which results in a remarkable inconsistency between MoI policies and its existing practices in the education sector. The further notable finding suggests that the mismatch between MoI policies and its practices leads to a disparate education structure and, eventually, a stratified society marked by inequalities, social hierarchies, marginalization, and so on. More importantly, the inequalities characterized by MoI practices are twofold: on the one hand, EMI is a source of division and inequalities for the Bangla-medium students, and on the other, BMI acts similarly when it comes to ethnic minority students.

Hierarchy, class, race and PPE in an American hospital in the early days of COVID-19: What the pandemic stress test can teach us about building equitable health systems

Because hospitals are spaces where life and death are routinely at stake, social hierarchies, pressures, and cultural norms are heightened. This was particularly true in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examining the dynamics in that era can provide insight into the nature of race and hierarchy in hospital structures.In the large literature on the experiences of hospital staff in the COVID-19 era, class and racial dynamics in hospitals are often sidestepped. In addition, the experiences of service staff such as environmental service workers and food service workers are severely under-represented.Here, we explore hierarchy, class, race and risk in two hospitals in the city of Baltimore in the first months of the pandemic in 2020, through the lens of availability of PPE. We draw on a survey of 403 staff in two Baltimore hospitals, and semi-structured interviews with 57 of those staff. Respondents worked in a variety of roles, from administration to clinical to service staff.A large majority of non-clinical service staff identified as Black, in contrast to a small minority of clinical staff with advanced degrees. The experience of access to PPE in the early pandemic differed across cadres of workers. Everyone in the hospital had to ration PPE, but many service staff felt that they were not prioritized in the same ways as clinical staff. PPE availability took on powerful symbolic resonance as a demonstration of how different cadres of workers were valued.The COVID-19 pandemic threw social and class dynamics within the hospital into relief, shedding light on what so often ran below the surface. Thus, it could also potentially be an impetus to examine these fault lines, and to push hospital structures a bit more in the direction of justice.

A Study on the Causes and Effects of the Current State of Extracurricular Tutoring in the Context of the “Double Reduction” Policy--A Qualitative Research Based on Parents of Public Elementary School Students in Shanghai, China

Based on the Ecological System Theory, this study uses semi-structured interviews to present the current situation of extracurricular tutoring that still exists in the context of the “Double Reduction” Policy and analyzes the reasons for it at the micro, meso and macro levels. The results of the interviews show that there are three types of tutoring for children under the “Double Reduction” Policy: maintaining pre-existing extracurricular tutoring arrangements, starting tutoring after the policy, and abstaining from tutoring throughout. In addition, most of the parents had a negative view of the “Double Reduction” Policy, while a few had a positive or neutral attitude. Based on the interviews, the study found that: Parents’ education philosophy, the school’s teaching mode, the “peer effect” of extracurricular tutoring, the educational streaming and examination systems, the anxieties surrounding social mobility among the middle class, and deeply entrenched Chinese traditional beliefs played a major role in the persistence of extracurricular tutoring. Subsequently, this study examines the impact of extracurricular tutoring from a social stratification lens, pointing out its potential to exacerbate the educational gap between different classes and families. Consequently, the study concludes with recommendations for policy enhancements aimed at fostering a more equitable educational ecosystem.