Which term describes a social position assigned at birth or by society that is not based on individual merit?

Which term describes a social position assigned at birth or by society that is not based on individual merit?

• A. Attitude
• B. Ascribed role
• C. Bureaucracy
• D. Concept

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is how a social position can be built into a person’s life independently of their own actions. An ascribed role is a position assigned at birth or by society, not earned through personal merit. This means the role comes with expectations and duties based on factors like family, lineage, gender, or social class, rather than what a person has done or achieved. It’s different from positions earned through effort or talent, which are called achieved statuses. The other terms don’t describe this birth- or society-assigned positioning. An attitude is a mental orientation toward something; bureaucracy is a system of organized rules and structures; a concept is a general idea.

The concept being tested is how a social position can be built into a person’s life independently of their own actions. An ascribed role is a position assigned at birth or by society, not earned through personal merit. This means the role comes with expectations and duties based on factors like family, lineage, gender, or social class, rather than what a person has done or achieved. It’s different from positions earned through effort or talent, which are called achieved statuses.

The other terms don’t describe this birth- or society-assigned positioning. An attitude is a mental orientation toward something; bureaucracy is a system of organized rules and structures; a concept is a general idea.