What classification system determines a person's occupation and social standing?

The classification system that determines a person's occupation and social standing is referred to as castes. This system, particularly associated with certain cultures such as India, creates a social hierarchy based on birth and occupation. In a caste system, individuals are born into specific social groups that dictate not only their job opportunities but also their community interactions and social status.

Caste systems often limit social mobility, meaning that individuals find it difficult to change their social standing, as their caste largely determines the roles available to them throughout their lives. This rigidity contrasts with more flexible systems of social classification, where occupational choices and social mobility may vary more widely.

Classes and levels typically refer to more modern and fluid categorization of societies where economic status plays a significant role but allows for movement between different strata based on various factors, such as education and wealth accumulation. Groups may refer broadly to collections of individuals within societies but lack the structured hierarchies that castes entail.