Professional stratification as a social phenomenon: theoretical approaches and methods of research

The article presents the analysis of the scientific and theoretical approaches that describe the features of professional stratification revealed by the classic of sociology P.A. Sorokin along with the economic and political stratification as the main forms of social stratification of society. Within the concepts of class stratification and functional approaches (in particular, dealing with this social phenomenon from the perspective of technical and functional theory) the author analyzes such scientific definitions as "social status", "power" "profession", "education", "intellect", "qualification", "professionalism", "prestige", "lifestyle" allowing to reveal the contents of the two forms of professional stratification: interprofessional and intraprofessional. The attention is focused on the need to use the gender approach in the study of professional stratification, as well as the integration of social and professional characteristics of the status positions of professional groups, considered as representatives of the professional community, and individuals involved in active employment. The methods used and approved by domestic and foreign academicians in their research of interprofessional and intraprofessional stratification are reviewed and systematized.