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Components of Social Structure - Status

Page history last edited by Mr. Hengsterman 11 years, 3 months ago

Components of Social Structure: Statuses

Status refers to the social positions that exist in society while roles refer to "expected" patterns of behavior, obligations, and privileges attached to a particular social status. Associated with each role (or social position) are many expectations concerning how a person should behave.

Expectations are like norms. Viewing life simply in terms of roles that people occupy, one begins to see all life as if it were a stage play. All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances and one man in his time plays many parts. To act in a role is simply to act according to the norms (rules) and expectations attached to it.

Status- like cites on a map, statuses “position” us in the social system or “map” of society. Position/location of individuals within social structure determines behavior

Ascribed Status

Achieved Status

Ascribed statuses are involuntary. One is born with ascribed status. They are positions assigned to individuals or groups based on traits beyond their control

Achieved statuses - a person can acquire achieved status on the basis of merit; it is a position that is earned or chosen. It reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts.

A status set consists of all the statuses a person holds. Of these, occupation is usually the most salient status for most people in the US. It is also usually an achieved status. People tend to evaluate others on the basis of their occupation in lieu of other personal characteristics. A master status can be positive as in the case of an important job. Or negative as in the case discussed in the text of the cancer patient.

At times society dehumanizes people by emphasis on the nature of their disabilities rather than their contributions to society. Stigma is a negative label applied to people that can become a part of their identity. People who are very different such as those who are homeless or ill are often also stigmatized.

A status symbol is a perceived visible, external denotation of one's social position and perceived indicator of economic or social status. Thee symbols serve as reminders or announcements and differentiate group members. Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols.

Master status (our most important)

The status or statuses that generally take priority over other indicators of social standing and determine a person’s overall position in society. Example: Sex; very wealthy; disabled

20/20 The Life of Privilege

Name Discrimination