Financial inequality has been in the news a lot recently. This inequality creates what is typically called a social status ladder, with rich people at the top and poorer people toward the bottom. Research shows that your position on the ladder is one of the most powerful predictors of health. But it's so much more than just how much money you have or how fancy your education is. It's how you feel you compare to other people -- your subjective social status. We've scoured the research, looking at human and animal studies, to find out how your subjective social status affects your health. A student handout to accompany the video is included. [4:37]

Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.

Differentiate between open and closed stratification systems
Distinguish between caste and class systems
Understand meritocracy as an ideal system of stratification