Scientific definition

Social mobility - a change by an individual or group of the place occupied in the social structure (social position), movement from one social stratum (class, group) to another (vertical mobility) or within the same social stratum ( horizontal mobility). Sharply limited in a caste and estate society, social mobility increases significantly in an industrial society.

Horizontal mobility

Horizontal mobility- the transition of an individual from one social group to another, located at the same level (example: moving from an Orthodox to a Catholic religious group, from one citizenship to another). There is a distinction between individual mobility - the movement of one person independently of others, and group mobility - movement occurs collectively. In addition, geographic mobility is distinguished - moving from one place to another while maintaining the same status (example: international and interregional tourism, moving from city to village and back). As a type of geographic mobility, the concept of migration is distinguished - moving from one place to another with a change in status (example: a person moved to a city for permanent residence and changed profession). And it is similar to castes.

Vertical mobility

Vertical mobility- moving a person up or down the career ladder.

• Upward mobility- social rise, upward movement (For example: promotion).
• Downward mobility- social descent, downward movement (For example: demotion).

Social elevator

Social elevator- a concept similar to vertical mobility, but more often used in the modern context of discussing the theory of elites as one of the means of rotation of the ruling elite.

Generational mobility

Intergenerational mobility is a comparative change in social status among different generations (example: a worker's son becomes president).

Intragenerational mobility (social career) - a change in status within one generation (example: a turner becomes an engineer, then a shop manager, then a plant director). Vertical and horizontal mobility are influenced by gender, age, birth rate, death rate, and population density. In general, men and the young are more mobile than women and the elderly. Overpopulated countries more often experience the consequences of emigration (relocation from one country to another due to economic, political, personal circumstances) than immigration (moving to a region for permanent or temporary residence of citizens from another region). Where the birth rate is high, the population is younger and therefore more mobile, and vice versa.

Literature

• Social mobility- article from the Newest Philosophical Dictionary
• Sorokin R. A. Social and cultural mobility. - N. Y. - L., 1927.
• Glass D.V. Social mobility in Britain. - L., 1967.

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• Pletink, Joseph
• Amsterdam (album)

See what “Social mobility” is in other dictionaries:

Social mobility- (social mobility) Movement from one class (class) or, more often, from a group with a certain status to another class, to another group. Social mobility, both between generations and within the professional activities of individuals, is... Political science. Dictionary.

SOCIAL MOBILITY- change by an individual or group of social position, place occupied in the social structure. S. m. is connected both with the action of the laws of societies. development, class struggle, causing the growth of some classes and groups and the decrease... ... Philosophical Encyclopedia

SOCIAL MOBILITY- SOCIAL mobility, a change by an individual or group in the place occupied in the social structure, movement from one social stratum (class, group) to another (vertical mobility) or within the same social stratum... ... Modern encyclopedia

SOCIAL MOBILITY- a change by an individual or group in the place occupied in the social structure, movement from one social stratum (class, group) to another (vertical mobility) or within the same social stratum (horizontal mobility).... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Social mobility- SOCIAL MOBILITY, a change by an individual or group of the place occupied in the social structure, movement from one social stratum (class, group) to another (vertical mobility) or within the same social stratum... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

SOCIAL MOBILITY- a concept by which social movements of people are designated in the direction of social positions characterized by a higher (social ascent) or lower (social degradation) level of income, prestige and degree... ... The latest philosophical dictionary

SOCIAL MOBILITY- see SOCIAL MOBILITY. Antinazi. Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2009 ... Encyclopedia of Sociology

SOCIAL MOBILITY- SOCIAL MOBILITY, a term used (along with the concepts of social movement and social mobility) in sociology, demography and economics. sciences to designate the transitions of individuals from one class, social group and strata to another,... ... Demographic Encyclopedic Dictionary

SOCIAL MOBILITY- (vertical mobility) See: mobility of labor. Business. Dictionary. M.: INFRA M, Ves Mir Publishing House. Graham Betts, Barry Brindley, S. Williams and others. General editor: Ph.D. Osadchaya I.M.. 1998 ... Dictionary of business terms

Social mobility - personal quality, acquired in the process educational activities and expressed in the ability to quickly master new realities in various fields life activities, find adequate ways to resolve unforeseen problems and perform... ... Official terminology

Books

• Sports and social mobility. Crossing Borders, Spaaii Ramon. Great athletes, Olympic champions, famous football players, hockey players or racing drivers are known all over the world. There is no doubt that the sport that became their profession made them famous and rich. A…

An association of individuals based on a common social characteristic in a system of relations regulated by social institutions is called a social group.

Definition 1

Social groups are one of the main components social structure. Changing one's position in the social structure by an individual or group is called social mobility.

Social mobility is divided into vertical (upward and downward) and horizontal, individual and group. Types of social mobility are schematically depicted in Fig. 1:

Definition 2

Horizontal social mobility is usually defined as the transition of an individual or group from one social group to another, belonging to the same socio-economic level, without changing their status.

Example 1

Examples of horizontal social mobility include: change of citizenship, place of residence, profession, marital status, political or religious affiliation.

Reasons for the emergence of horizontal social mobility

A person as a social unit in the process of his life cannot be in the same socio-economic status. Growing up, learning, professional activity, family life require individuals to move in society. The constant movement of society leads to changes in social structures, some individuals are displaced, and others fill their place.

The main reasons for the need for horizontal mobility are the following:

• Structural changes caused by the development of the economic and political system (for example, the disappearance of certain industries and professions).
• The need for openness in the structure of society, allowing movement from one social group to another.

A change in the importance of a certain class in society can provoke group mobility, when movement through the social structure is carried out not individually, but by an entire social group. The mobility of a society is influenced by the composition and density of its population, birth and death rates, economic condition. For example, young people are more mobile than older people, and men are more mobile than women. In young societies, the density of social groups is low, which also contributes to the mobility of its individuals.

Note 1

Types of horizontal social mobility are divided into main and non-main forms. The main forms determine most societies in any era. Non-main forms of mobility are characteristic of limited types of society.

The role of horizontal social mobility

Horizontal social mobility promotes structural changes in society. The impact of social mobility can be both positive and negative:

• Positive factors include the development of a mechanism for selecting individuals in society. Through mobility channels social institutions fill gaps in necessary groups and sectors of society.
• Social mobility processes can provoke such Negative consequences, as the emergence of marginalized people in society and its lumpenization.

High social mobility of a society is rather a positive indicator. Thanks to mobility, society becomes more open, accessible to move within its structure for individuals with high abilities and skills. An individual’s desire for well-being stimulates the need to develop his best personal qualities.

Vertical mobility

From a quantitative point of view, P. Sorokin believes, one should distinguish between the intensity and universality of vertical mobility. Intensity is understood as vertical social distance or the number of layers - economic, professional or political - that an individual passes through in his upward or downward movement over a certain period of time. By the universality of vertical mobility, P. Sorokin means individuals who have changed their social position in the vertical direction over a certain period of time. The absolute number of such individuals gives, according to P. Sorokin, the absolute universality of vertical mobility in the structure of the country's population, and the proportion of such individuals to the entire population gives the relative universality of vertical mobility. By combining the intensity and relative universality of vertical mobility in a certain social sphere (for example, in the economy), one can obtain, according to P. Sorokin, an aggregate indicator of vertical economic mobility of a particular society. The same can be said about the set of indicators of political and professional vertical mobility.

General principles of vertical mobility

General principles P. Sorokin reduces vertical mobility to the following.

• 1. There has never existed a society whose social strata were absolutely closed or in which there was no vertical mobility in its three main aspects - economic, political and professional.
• 2. There has never been a society in which vertical social mobility would be absolutely free, and the transition from one social stratum to another would be carried out without any resistance. This means that within an organized and stratified society there is a kind of “sieve” that “sifts” individuals and allows some to rise to the top, leaving others at the bottom, and vice versa.
• 3. The intensity and universality of vertical social mobility change from society to society and from one period of time to another, that is, they have an oscillatory nature. The history of social organisms reveals rhythms of comparatively mobile and stationary periods.
• 4. The intensity and universality of vertical mobility - economic, political and professional - fluctuates within the same society in different periods his stories.
• 5. In the three main forms of vertical mobility there is no constant direction either towards strengthening or towards weakening its intensity and universality. This situation is true for the history of any country, for the history of large social organisms and for the entire history of mankind. Speech in in this case can only talk about “non-directional” oscillations.
• 6. Based on the degree of movement, it is fair to distinguish between mobile and stationary types of societies. Although democratic societies are often more mobile than autocratic ones, there are nevertheless exceptions to this rule.

Mobility mechanisms

Since vertical mobility is observed in any society, and between layers there must be certain paths along which individuals move up or down from one layer to another, it is necessary, according to P. Sorokin, to consider these existing channels of social circulation. P. Sorokin considers the following to be the most important: the army, the church, the school, political, economic and professional organizations.

The army plays a special role as a channel of social circulation important role V war time, thanks to which many individuals rose high on the social ladder, starting military service from the lower social strata (Napoleon, Cromwell, Washington, etc.). In peacetime, the army continues to play the role of a channel for vertical circulation, but in these periods, P. Sorokin postulates, its role is much weaker than in wartime.

The church, as a channel of vertical social circulation, successfully performs this function only when, according to P. Sorokin, its social significance increases. For example, Christian church moved a large number of people from the bottom to the top of society (for example, out of 144 popes, 28 were of simple origin, 27 came from the middle classes). While being a channel for upward movement, the church (like the army) was also a means for downward movement (for example, heretics).

Institutions of education and upbringing, no matter what specific form they take, in all centuries and in all societies have been, according to P. Sorokin, means of vertical social circulation. Many social spheres and a number of professions are practically closed to a person without an appropriate diploma, therefore the social advancement of many eminent people of our time was carried out thanks to the “school mechanism”.

Political organizations, from the government to political parties, also play the role of a social “elevator” in vertical circulation. Historically, a large number of people born into the ranks of servants, peasants, or artisans rose to prominent public positions through bureaucratic and government service or political activity. If not for this channel, then many outstanding politicians And statesmen, believes P. Sorokin, would hardly be able to achieve a high social position.

Professional organizations (scientific, literary, etc.), according to P. Sorokin, also play a significant role in the vertical movement of individuals, since entry into these organizations is relatively free for everyone who has discovered the appropriate abilities, regardless of their social origin. Many scientists, lawyers, writers, doctors, sculptors of simple origin rose socially thanks to this channel.

Accumulating wealth is one of the simplest and effective ways social advancement, says P. Sorokin. A successful entrepreneur is the largest aristocrat of a modern democratic society. If a person is rich, then he is at the top of the social pyramid, regardless of his origin, and often his source of income.

Family and marriage (especially with a representative of another social status), according to P. Sorokin, can also lead one of the partners either to social advancement or to social degradation.

General concept social mobility is associated with a change in the status of an individual or a certain social group, after which he changes his current position and place in the social structure, he has other roles, and characteristics in stratification change. The social system is complex due to its multi-level nature. Stratification describes the rank structure, patterns and features of existence in development, hence the division of this movement into types of social mobility.

Status

A person who has once received one or another status does not remain its bearer until the end of his life. A child, for example, grows up and is replaced by another set of statuses associated with growing up. Likewise, society is constantly in motion, developing, changing the social structure, losing some people and gaining others, but certain social roles are still played, since status positions remain filled. Any transition of an individual or an object created or modified by human activity to another position, to which channels of social mobility have led, falls under this definition.

The main elements of social structure - individuals - are also in constant motion. To describe the movements of an individual in the social structure, a concept such as “social mobility of society” is used. This theory appeared in sociological science in 1927, its author was Pitirim Sorokin, who described the factors of social mobility. The process under consideration determines the constant redistribution of individuals within the boundaries of the social structure in accordance with the existing principles of social differentiation.

Social system

In a single social system, there are many subsystems that have a clearly fixed or traditionally fixed set of requirements for all individuals seeking to achieve one or another status. It is always the one who meets all these requirements to the greatest extent who succeeds. Examples of social mobility can be found literally at every step. Thus, a university is a powerful social subsystem.

Students studying there must learn curriculum, and during the session there will be a check to see how effective the development was. Naturally, those individuals who do not satisfy the examiners’ minimum level of knowledge will not be able to continue their studies. But those who have mastered the material better than others receive additional channels of social mobility, that is, chances to effectively use their education - in graduate school, in science, in employment. And this rule applies always and everywhere: fulfillment social role changes the situation in society for the better.

Types of social mobility. Current state of affairs

Modern sociology subdivides the types and types of social mobility, designed to most fully describe the entire gamut of social movements. First of all, we need to talk about two types - vertical and horizontal mobility. If the transition from one social position to another has taken place, but the level has not changed, this is horizontal social mobility. This could be a change of religion or place of residence. Examples of horizontal social mobility are the most numerous.

If, with the transition to another social position, the level of social stratification changes, that is, the social status becomes better or worse, then this movement belongs to the second type. Vertical social mobility, in turn, is divided into two subtypes: upward and downward. The stratification ladder of a social system, like any other ladder, implies movement both up and down.

Examples of vertical social mobility: up - improvement in status (another military rank, obtaining a diploma, etc.), down - deterioration (loss of a job, expulsion from a university, etc.), that is, something that involves an increase or decrease opportunities for further movement and social growth.

Individual and group

In addition, vertical social mobility can be group or individual. The latter occurs when an individual member of society changes his social position, when the old status niche (stratum) is abandoned and a new state is found. The level of education, social origin, mental and physical abilities, place of residence, external data, specific actions play a role here - an advantageous marriage, for example, a criminal offense or a manifestation of heroism.

Group mobility most often occurs when the stratification system of this society changes, when the social significance of even the largest social groups undergoes changes. These types of social mobility are sanctioned by the state or are the result of targeted policies. Here we can highlight organized mobility (and the consent of people does not matter - recruitment into construction teams or volunteers, economic crisis, reduction of rights and freedoms in certain sectors of society, resettlement of peoples or ethnic groups, etc.)

Structure

Structural mobility also has great importance when defining a concept. The social system undergoes structural changes, which is not so rare. Industrialization, for example, which usually requires cheap labor, which rebuilds the entire social structure so that this labor recruit.

Horizontal and vertical social activity may occur in a group at the same time when a political regime changes or political system, economic collapse or take-off, during any social revolution, during foreign occupation, invasion, during any military conflicts - both civil and interstate.

Within a generation

The science of sociology distinguishes between intragenerational and intergenerational social mobility. This is best seen through examples. Intragenerational, that is, intragenerational social mobility presupposes changes in the status distribution in a certain age group, in a generation, and tracks general dynamics distribution of this group within the social system.

For example, monitoring is carried out regarding the possibilities of obtaining higher education, free medical care and many other pressing social processes. Finding out the most general features social movement in a given generation, it is already possible to evaluate with a degree of objectivity the social development of an individual from this age group. The whole path of a person social development a lifelong social career can be called.

Intergenerational mobility

An analysis of changes in social status in groups of different generations is carried out, which makes it possible to see the patterns of long-term processes in society, to establish characteristic factors of social mobility in the implementation of a social career, considering various social groups and communities.

For example, which segments of the population are subject to more upward social mobility and which to downward social mobility can be found out through broad monitoring, which will answer such questions and thus reveal ways to stimulate specific social groups. Many other factors are also determined: the features of a given social environment, whether or not there is a desire for social growth, etc.

Play by the rules

In a stable social structure, the movement of individuals occurs plannedly and according to rules. In unstable when social system loose - unorganized, spontaneous, chaotic. In any case, to change status, an individual must enlist the support of his social environment.

If an applicant wants to enter Moscow State University, MGIMO or MEPhI, in order to acquire student status, he must, in addition to the desire, have a whole range of certain personal qualities and meet the requirements for all students of these educational institutions. That is, the applicant must confirm his compliance, for example, with entrance examinations or financial independence. If compliant, he will receive the desired status.

Social institutions

Modern society is a complex and highly institutionalized structure. Most social movements are associated with certain social institutions; many statuses outside the framework of specific institutions do not matter at all. For example, apart from education, the statuses of teacher and student do not exist, and outside the institute of health care there are no statuses of patient and doctor. This means that it is social institutions that create the social space where most of the changes in status occur. These spaces (channels of social mobility) are structures, methods, mechanisms used for status movement.

Main driving force- organs state power, political parties, economic structures, public organizations, church, army, professional and labor unions and organizations, family and clan ties, education system. In turn, at this period of time, the social structure is experiencing significant influence from organized crime, which has its own mobile system, which also influences official institutions through, for example, corruption.

Total influence

Channels of social mobility are an integral system that complements, limits, stabilizes all components of the social structure, in which the institutional and legal procedures for the movement of each individual represent elementary social selection, where not only long-term and close acquaintance with certain rules and traditions, but also confirmation by the individual of his loyalty, obtaining the approval of the leading persons.

Here we can talk a lot more about the formal need for compliance and the subjectivity of assessing all the efforts of an individual on the part of those on whom the social movement of the individual’s status directly depends.

What is social mobility? A lot of students sooner or later begin to ask this question. And the answer to it is quite simple - it is a change in the social layer. This concept is very easy to express through two similar ones - a social elevator or an easier, everyday one - a career. In this article we will take a closer look at the concept of social mobility, its types, factors and other categories of this topic.

First you need consider such a concept as social stratification. In simple terms– structure of society. Each person occupies some place in this structure, has a certain status, amount of money, and so on. Mobility occurs when a person’s position in society changes.

Social mobility - examples

You don't need to look far for examples. When a person started as an ordinary schoolboy and became a student - an example of social mobility. Or a person has been without for 5 years permanent place residence, and then got a job - an example of social mobility. And when a person changes his profession to a similar one (for example, a freelancer doing Photoshop and a copywriter) - this is also an example of mobility.

Perhaps you know the proverb “from rags to riches,” which also expresses the transition from one status to another, noticed by the people.

Types of social mobility

Social mobility can be horizontal or vertical. Let's take a closer look at each type.

is a change in a social group while maintaining the same social status. Examples of horizontal mobility are changing the religious community or university where a person studies. There are such types horizontal social mobility:

Vertical mobility

Vertical mobility is what a huge number of people dream about. And in the same way, sometimes it happens that it does harm. How does this happen? And everything is very simple. But let’s keep the intrigue a little and give a definition that you could logically derive a little earlier. If horizontal mobility is a change in social group, job, religion, and so on without changing status, then vertical mobility is the same, only with an increase in status.

At the same time, vertical mobility may not imply a change in social group. A person can grow inside it. For example, he became a boss among his upset colleagues.

Vertical mobility happens:

• Upward social mobility. This is when status growth occurs. For example, a promotion.
• Downward social mobility. Accordingly, the status is lost. For example, a person became homeless.

There is also such a concept like a social elevator. These are very fast social ladders. Although many researchers do not really like this term, because it does not very well describe the specifics of upward mobility. However, social elevators exist. These are structures in which a person will, in any case, reach heights if he remains a responsible executor for many years. An example of a social elevator is the army, where ranks are given for the number of years spent in service.

Fast ladders of social mobility

These are not quite elevators, but not quite stairs. A person will have to make efforts to get to the top, but not so intense. In more down-to-earth terms, these are the factors of social mobility that contribute to upward mobility in any modern society . Here they are:

So these points, if followed, open up many opportunities for you. The main thing is to start taking action.

Examples of social elevators

Examples of social elevators include marriage, the army, education, climbing a religious organization, etc. Here full list, given by Sorokin:

Don't miss: the concept, its problems and functions in philosophy.

Social mobility in modern society

Now very great opportunities are opening up for people. It’s generally easy to get to the top now. And all thanks to the market economy and democracy. Modern politic system in most countries it encourages people to become successful. As for our realities, everything is much more optimistic than in Soviet times, where the actual only ones social elevators there was an army and a party, but worse than in America due to high tax rates, poor competition (a lot of monopolists), high lending rates for entrepreneurs.

The problem with Russian legislation is that entrepreneurs often have to balance on the brink in order to make their way in their career. But this is not to say that it is impossible. You'll just have to strain a lot harder.

Examples of rapid social mobility

There are a huge number of people who were able to quickly achieve great heights. However, everyone has their own definition of “fast”. For some, success in ten years is quite fast (which is objectively true), but for others, even two years is an unaffordable luxury.

Usually when people look for examples of people who have achieved success overnight, they hope that their example will show them that it is not necessary to do something. But this is catastrophically wrong. You will have to work, a lot, and even make a lot of failed attempts. Thus, Thomas Edison, before making a cheap light bulb, tried 10 thousand various combinations, his company suffered losses for 3 years, and only in the fourth year he achieved stunning success. Is it fast? The author of the article believes so. Achieving social success quickly is only possible if you take a very large number of thoughtful actions and attempts every day. And this requires remarkable willpower.

conclusions

So, social mobility is a change in place in the structure of society. Moreover, in terms of status, a person can remain the same (horizontal mobility), higher or lower (vertical mobility). An elevator is an institution within which it becomes accessible fast enough moving up the ladder of success. There are such elevators as the army, religion, family, politics, education and so on. Factors of social mobility - education, money, entrepreneurship, connections, skill, reputation, etc.

Types of social mobility: horizontal and vertical (upward and downward).

IN Lately There is greater mobility than before, especially in the post-Soviet space, but there is still room to go. The features of social mobility are such that everyone can become successful, but not always in the desired field. It all depends on the society where a person wants to move in an upward direction.

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