A society in which mobility between different levels of stratification is not possible.

Study for the IGCSE Sociology Exam. Practice with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare for success with targeted study materials!

Multiple Choice

A society in which mobility between different levels of stratification is not possible.

Explanation:
In sociology, the idea here is about how freely people can move between social layers. A closed society is one where those moves are blocked; people are largely stuck in the status they are born into, with very rigid boundaries between levels and few opportunities to move up or down. This reflects a system where ascribed characteristics—like family background or caste—shape life chances and limit mobility. An open society, by contrast, allows movement between levels as people can improve their position through education, work, or other efforts. Traditional societies can be hierarchical, but the key point here is the strong emphasis on fixed positions and limited mobility, which aligns with a closed system. A minority group refers to a group distinguished by certain characteristics rather than describing the social mobility structure of the whole society. So the society described—one where mobility between levels isn’t possible—is best labeled a closed society.

In sociology, the idea here is about how freely people can move between social layers. A closed society is one where those moves are blocked; people are largely stuck in the status they are born into, with very rigid boundaries between levels and few opportunities to move up or down. This reflects a system where ascribed characteristics—like family background or caste—shape life chances and limit mobility.

An open society, by contrast, allows movement between levels as people can improve their position through education, work, or other efforts. Traditional societies can be hierarchical, but the key point here is the strong emphasis on fixed positions and limited mobility, which aligns with a closed system. A minority group refers to a group distinguished by certain characteristics rather than describing the social mobility structure of the whole society.

So the society described—one where mobility between levels isn’t possible—is best labeled a closed society.

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