Sociology Chapter 5 Social Structure and Society Section 1: Social Structure and Status

Social Structure is all around you Culture guides us in our thinking, feeling, and behaving. Without culture, humans would have no blueprint for social living.

So what is social structure The underlying patterns of relationships in a group.

Everyone has status We learn about statuses and roles – major elements of social structure.

What do sociologists mean by status? Status- a position a person occupies within a social structure. Status helps us define who and what we are in relation to others within the same social structure. There are two types of social statuses: 1. ascribed 2. achieved

What is ascribed status? Ascribed status- a position that is neither earned nor chosen but is assigned. At birth and infant is either a male or a female. We do not chose our gender. Age is also an ascribed status.

How is status achieved? Achieved status is earned or chosen. Achieving status is possible where people have some degree of control and choice. An individual can choose to become a spouse or a parent. Occupations are also achieved statuses.

What is a status set? Status set- all of the statuses that a person occupies at any particular time. One social worker may be a wife, mother, author, and church choir director.

Are all of a person’s statuses equal? Master status- important because they influence most other aspects of the person’s life. Master statuses may be ascribed or achieved. occupations- achieved statuses for the most part, are master statuses.

Age, gender, race, and ethnicity are examples or ascribed master statuses because they significantly affect the likelihood of achieving other social statuses. Will the United States have female president? Would you let a 19 year old handle your court case or remove your appendix?