In social stratification, individuals are often ranked based on their access to resources, which can result from factors such as wealth, education, and social status. This system is primarily influenced by _____, which explains how one's position can impact their life chances regardless of their personal efforts.

In social stratification, individuals are ranked based on how much access they have to important resources like money, education, and social connections. This ranking is heavily influenced by social class, which refers to the group a person belongs to based on these resources. For example, someone born into a wealthy family may have access to better education and job opportunities, while someone from a lower-income family might struggle to get the same chances. This means that a person's social class can greatly affect their life chances, such as their ability to succeed in school or find a good job, even if both individuals work hard. Therefore, social class shapes the opportunities available to people, often regardless of their personal efforts.