Final answer:
The U.S. social classes are commonly divided into upper, middle, and lower classes, based on wealth, power, and prestige. Wealth is key in determining class since it affects the level of control and influence one has. Further subcategories within these classes highlight the complexity of socio-economic distinctions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social class is a way of categorizing society's members into a hierarchy ranging from high to low based on various factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. While some sociologists generally identify three main levels of class in the United States—upper, middle, and lower class—these broad categories can be further divided, resulting in a more nuanced understanding of socio-economic differences. Wealth remains the most significant way of distinguishing classes, as it determines the ability to exert control over one's own life and potentially over the lives of others.
The upper class is composed of the top earners who not only have control over their own lives but also may have significant influence and control over others. The middle class exerts control more on a personal level, not usually affecting other strata of society. The lower class tends to have less control over their work and life circumstances. Below these broad categories, further classifications can exist, highlighting the complexity and fluidity of socio-economic status.