Types of Social Mobility

Types of Social Mobility

Sociologists have identified several types of social mobility:

a. Horizontal social mobility

b. Vertical social mobility

c. Intergenerational mobility

d. Intra-generational mobility

1. Horizontal social mobility:

Horizontal mobility one of the types of mobility is the straight change from left to right or right to left. In horizontal mobility, if the place is changed but the social position of an individual remains on the same level.

For example; when a lecture is transferred from one government college to another with the same grade or pay scale and as a teacher is horizontal mobility.

In other words, horizontal mobility is the transition of an individual or social object from one social group to another situated on the same level. While explaining horizontal mobility we are mainly referring to movement of individuals from one position to another of more or less equal prestige. Sorokin explains the concept of horizontal mobility still more broadly.

According to Sorokin, “Horizontal mobility refers to territorial, religious, political party, family, occupational and other horizontal shifting without any noticeable change in vertical position.” The individuals are no more attached to their place of birth. The individuals move from one place to another in search of jobs which may be of the same prestige. The modern means of transportation have brought in more territorial movement of individuals.

2. Vertical Mobility:

It refers to any change in the occupational, economic or political status of an individual or a group which leads to a change of their position. In the words of Sorokin, vertical social mobility is meant the relations involved in the transition of an individual (or a social object) from one social stratum to another.

For example, the manager of the meat department who is promoted to general manager of the supermarket has achieved upward vertical mobility. The promotion is accompanied by an increase in income and overall responsibility. On the other hand, the major league, a baseball player who is sent back to the minor leagues has suffered downward vertical mobility.

In vertical mobility stands for a change of social position either upward or downward, which can be labelled as ascending or descending type of mobility. When a big businessman meets with losses in his business and is declared bankrupt, he occupies a low status. On the other hand, if a small businessman with occupational skills of money and manipulation becomes an industrialist he occupies a higher position on the social ladder. Hence his position improves in the hierarchical order.

According to the direction of transition, there are two types of vertical social mobility –

a. Upward Social Mobility:

If a person of inferior status in society moves towards a superior social position, he is moving upward or has upward mobility.

For example, a teacher after doing M.Phil/Ph.D becomes a professor in a college or a lawyer becomes a judge.

b. Downward Social Mobility:

If a person of higher or superior social position moves towards an inferior social position, it is called downward mobility.

For example, a big businessman because of a great loss in business becomes a beggar or an officer is dismissed because of his serious offence and is deprived of all privileges.

3. Inter-generational Mobility:

When changes occur from one generation to another, it is known as inter-generational mobility. This type of mobility involves changes in the social position of children relative to their parents.

For example, a son of a carpenter becomes a doctor or an engineer or the son of a police officer adopts a profession of a shopkeeper. It is called intergenerational mobility.

Similarly, a family of Brahmins may be engaged in traditional occupation of teaching and performing rituals but its younger generation is neither intelligent nor follows the family occupation. They become daily wagers then the younger generation has downward inter-generational mobility.

With the improvement in economic position, people start changing their style of living by discarding the old practices and adopting the practices of those who are high on the social ladder. After two or three generations their new position may be recognized. This process of social mobility, according to Srinivas is a process of Sanskritization.

4. Intra-Generational Mobility:

It refers to the vertical mobility experienced by a single individual within his or her own lifetime.

For example, a woman starts her career as a primary school teacher to reach higher position of headmistress of a high school or principal or director till her retirement. Then such a change in status is called intra-generational mobility.

Sociologists gave this type of mobility great importance while analyzing such cases for research study. Downward intra-generational mobility is not much common.

Therefore, we can conclude that forms of social mobility are not comprehensive and there is overlapping. Also, mobility occurs in the framework of time and space. The factors that affect mobility are found universally true.