Sociology / Unit 4 Soc 0472 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Ascribed and Achieved Status
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The idea
An ascribed status is assigned without choice, usually at birth; an achieved status is gained through action, effort, or circumstance.
In practice
Being someone's child is ascribed; becoming an electrician is achieved.
Where people slip
The line moves: what a society treats as unchosen varies across both societies and eras.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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