Which term describes a status assigned at birth or by external factors rather than personal effort?

Which term describes a status assigned at birth or by external factors rather than personal effort?

• A. Ascribed status
• B. Social status
• C. Achieved status
• D. Master status

Answer: (A)

This describes a type of status assigned at birth or by external factors rather than personal effort. The term you’re looking for refers to positions people inherit or are placed into because of who they are or the circumstances of birth, not because of what they do. Examples include being born into a particular family, ethnicity, gender, or social class. This contrasts with achieved status, which is earned through actions and choices, and with master status, which is the most dominant status shaping someone’s identity. Social status is the broader umbrella that can be either ascribed or achieved, but the question specifically points to being assigned at birth or by external factors.

This describes a type of status assigned at birth or by external factors rather than personal effort. The term you’re looking for refers to positions people inherit or are placed into because of who they are or the circumstances of birth, not because of what they do. Examples include being born into a particular family, ethnicity, gender, or social class. This contrasts with achieved status, which is earned through actions and choices, and with master status, which is the most dominant status shaping someone’s identity. Social status is the broader umbrella that can be either ascribed or achieved, but the question specifically points to being assigned at birth or by external factors.