Which term refers to an individual's position in society based on wealth, prestige, and power?

• A. Social class
• B. Socio-economic status (SES)
• C. Economic tier
• D. Societal rank

Answer: (B)

Socio-economic status is the measure that captures where someone stands in society by combining wealth, prestige, and power through its components—income and wealth, education, and occupation. This multi-faceted view explains not just how much money someone has, but the social advantages that come with education and job status, which together shape access to resources, opportunities, and influence. That makes it the best fit for describing an individual’s position in society based on wealth, prestige, and power.

Social class is closely related and often used in everyday language, but the SES framework explicitly defines the position using those interlocking components. Economic tier focuses mainly on financial level and is narrower, while societal rank is vague and not a standard term for this concept.