Increased social mobility often requires individuals to adapt to new social environments, which can lead to a decrease in traditional conformity. As people move between classes or social strata, they may abandon rigid adherence to the norms of their original group in favor of the norms of their new social position.

Vertical mobility refers to the movement of an individual or group up or down the social hierarchy. By gaining a professional degree and moving into a higher-status, higher-paying occupation, Carolyn has successfully moved up the social ladder. This is a classic example of upward vertical mobility, as her change in employment resulted in a significant shift in her socioeconomic status and professional standing within the community.

An open class society is defined by the ability of individuals to move between social strata based on achievement rather than ascription. Consequently, social mobility is considered high because social position is not fixed at birth, allowing for both upward and downward movement through education, career advancement, and economic success, contrasting sharply with closed systems like caste.

In many historical patriarchal societies, women's social standing and access to resources were derived primarily from their marital status and the socioeconomic position of their husbands. This phenomenon, often referred to as 'status derivation,' meant that a woman's mobility was largely tied to the family unit's head rather than her own individual professional or educational achievements.

Downward mobility refers to a decrease in social class, which can occur due to factors such as unemployment, economic recession, or personal circumstances. It represents a shift to a lower position in the social hierarchy compared to one's previous status or the status of one's parents. This is a critical area of study in social stratification, as it highlights the instability and risks inherent in various economic systems.

The socioeconomic life cycle tracks the changes in an individual's economic and social status over the course of their lifetime. It encompasses the transition from the family of orientation, where one is born, to the family of procreation, reflecting shifts in status, income, and social standing throughout adulthood.

Inter-generational mobility refers to changes in the social status of family members from one generation to the next. It typically measures whether children achieve a higher or lower social class position compared to their parents, reflecting the degree of openness in a society's stratification system.

Class systems are characterized by social stratification based on factors like wealth, education, and occupation. Unlike slavery or caste, which are largely ascribed, class positions can be influenced by individual effort and achievement, allowing for social mobility. This system provides a more open structure compared to closed systems.

Social mobility refers to the shift in an individual's or a group's social status. Individual mobility occurs when a person changes their position within the hierarchy, while group or structural mobility occurs when entire categories of people move up or down due to systemic changes in the economy or society.

Intra-generational mobility refers to the movement of an individual up or down the social hierarchy during their working life. This is distinct from inter-generational mobility, which compares the social status of children to that of their parents, and structural mobility, which results from changes in the economy.