stratification
This term describes the structural organization of a system into distinct, hierarchical levels. In a sociological sense, it carries a connotation of inequality and rigidity, suggesting a system where access to resources is determined by one's position in the social order. In scientific contexts, the word evokes a visual image of stacked layers. Whether referring to geological rock formations or statistical sampling, the focus is on the deliberate or natural separation of a whole into specific, manageable, or identifiable strata.
Meanings
The arrangement or classification of a society into different groups based on wealth, power, status, or race.
"The social stratification of the Victorian era created a rigid divide between the working class and the aristocracy."
The formation of distinct layers or strata in a material, such as rock, soil, or a liquid.
"Geologists studied the stratification of the sedimentary rock to determine the age of the fossils."
The process of dividing a population into subgroups or strata for the purpose of statistical sampling to ensure representation.
"The researchers used stratification to ensure that both urban and rural residents were included in the survey."