1. Social Structure & Society
Chapter 5
Social Structure & Society

2. Social Structure Knowledge as to how people will react in situations
Predict actions of people
Predictions and knowledge comes from patterns
Patterns of relationships in a group = social structure

3. Status
Status = a position which a person occupies in a social structure
Looks at relationships, place within a group, level achieved, etc.
There are two types of status:
Ascribed
Achieved

4. Ascribed Status
Status that is assigned to us; we have no control over the choice
Examples:
Age
Gender
Brother or sister
Social class (possibly)

5. Achieved Status Status that is earned or chosen Examples: Occupation
Education level
Parent
Spouse
Fan

6. Status Set
A person has occupies more than one status at the same time. All the statuses that a person has is called a status set.
Example:
Woman, mother, wife, CEO, Bears fan, holder of a masters degree, sister, etc.

7. Status Set
What is the status set of this person:

8. Master Status
A status that strongly affects the other portions of a person’s life.
Example of achieved master status: your job determines where you live, your lifestyle, etc.
Example of ascribed master status: your age influences privileges, occupation, work opportunities, education, etc.