Lecture Notes: Social Status and Its Impact on Interactions

Understanding Status

• Definition: Status is a social position in society.
• Impact: Different statuses affect interactions with others.
  • Individuals have multiple statuses such as son/daughter, student, friend, etc.
  • Interactions vary based on the status context.

Types of Status Interactions

• Equal Status:

  • Example: Interacting with friends.
  • Characteristics: Comfort in negotiating and equal communication.
  • Scenario: Roommates negotiating driving responsibilities.

• Superior/Inferior Status:

  • Superior Status:

    • Example: Professor-student interaction.
    • Characteristics: Submissive behavior from the inferior status individual, respectful listening.

  • Inferior Status:

    • Example: Student interaction with a professor.
    • Scenario: President of an organization having authority over members.
    • Characteristics: Members submit to leadership, respect is expected.

Types of Status

• Ascribed Status:

  • Definition: Statuses assigned at birth, unchangeable.
  • Example: Born into royalty, such as a prince or princess.

• Achieved Status:

  • Definition: Statuses earned through personal effort and choice.
  • Example: Making an Olympic team through hard work and dedication.
  • Key Aspect: Earned status, highlighting personal achievement.

Summary

• Individuals hold multiple statuses that influence their social interactions.
• Status can be equal, superior, or inferior based on social context.
• Distinction between ascribed (inherited) and achieved (earned) statuses.