Which concept emphasizes the development of social hierarchies based on unequal access to resources?

The concept of stratification emphasizes the development of social hierarchies based on unequal access to resources. It refers to the structured inequality in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges among different groups within society. Stratification can take various forms, including economic, social, racial, and gender-based hierarchies, and serves to explain how individuals and groups are placed at different levels within a society's social structure.

Stratification affects many aspects of life, including wealth, income, education, and social status. For example, those at the top of the stratification system may have better access to high-paying jobs, quality education, and healthcare, whereas those at the bottom experience limited opportunities and resources. This systematic inequality reinforces the idea that one's social position can greatly influence their life chances and experiences.

In contrast, the other concepts mentioned do not primarily focus on social hierarchies or resource inequality. Status groups pertain to social distinctions based on esteem and prestige rather than resource access. Stigma refers to the negative labeling and societal attitudes toward individuals who possess certain characteristics, rather than the structure of inequality itself. Sociology, as a discipline, studies various aspects of social life, including stratification, but does not specifically denote a system of social hierarchy or