AAMC FL Practice Exam

What is ascribed status?

1. Status achieved through personal effort

2. Social position assigned without regard for personal attributes

3. Status determined by professional achievements

4. A type of status that changes regularly

The correct answer is: Social position assigned without regard for personal attributes

Ascribed status refers to a social position that an individual occupies that is assigned at birth or involuntarily acquired. This means it is assigned to a person based on specific characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, gender, and family background, rather than through personal effort or achievements. Ascribed status is significant in sociological terms because it often influences an individual’s social identity, roles, and expectations within a society. In contrast to the other options, which focus on active achievements or attributes one can change, ascribed status emphasizes the conditions and characteristics that individuals do not control and cannot easily change. It is a foundational concept in sociology, illustrating how society categorizes individuals based on inherent traits rather than accomplishments.