What is intragenerational mobility?

Intragenerational mobility refers to the movement of individuals within the social stratification hierarchy over the course of their own lifetime, particularly in the context of their career. This concept focuses on how a person's social status can change relative to their initial position, as they gain experience, advancements, or face setbacks in their professional journey. For example, someone may start their career in a low-paying job and, through hard work and promotions, advance to a higher socioeconomic status as time goes on.

This is distinct from intergenerational mobility, which deals with changes in social status from one generation to the next—such as the differences between parents and their children. The other options relate to different forms of mobility or have specific conditions that do not accurately define intragenerational mobility. Thus, identifying movement up or down within an individual's career accurately captures the essence of intragenerational mobility.