AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In sociology, the master status is the social position that is the primary identifying characteristic of an individual. The term master status is defined as “a status that has exceptional importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life.” Master status can be ascribed or achieved.

Detailed explanation-2: -All individuals hold many statuses. For most people, one status tends to take rank above all others. This status plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his or her social identity. This status is called a master status.

Detailed explanation-3: -Master status: the most important status a person occupies, determines their general social position. Status set: all the statuses that a person occupies at a given time. Status symbol: material signs that inform others of a person’s specific status.

Detailed explanation-4: -Some examples of master status are age, religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, occupation, and socioeconomic status. Some master statuses can change over time as a person grows and develops.

Detailed explanation-5: -In all of the many social groups that we as individuals belong to, we have a status and a role to fulfill. Status is our relative social position within a group, while a role is the part our society expects us to play in a given status. For example, a man may have the status of father in his family.