SOC 001 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Bourgeoisie, Ascribed Status, Upper Class
Document Summary
Ascribed status: a status that is bestowed upon an individual, regardless of his or her efforts or wishes. In the united states, sex, race, and ethnicity are ascribed statuses. Achieved status: a status earned by the individual through his or her own efforts. In the united states, bank robber, college professor, carpenter, and husband are achieved statuses. Caste system: a completely closed system of stratification in which statuses are inherited. One"s position in a caste system is based on ascribed characteristics. Vaishyas: producers, merchants, farmers, artisans, and other skilled workers. Estate system: as in a caste system, a person"s place in the hierarchy of an estate system is determined at birth. First: made up of the aristocracy or nobility. Stratification: a term borrowed from the earth sciences because it conveys the fact that society is made up of social layers, or strata, that are arranged in hierarchy. Legitmating rationale: explanations for why social arrangements are right and proper.
