Social status
Social status is a term used in sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences to describe the relative social position of a person or group within a particular society or community. The concept of social status can be understood in terms of social stratification, which refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups based on their access to resources, power, and prestige.
Social status can be achieved or ascribed. Achieved status is a social position that a person acquires on the basis of merit or through their efforts or skills. It reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Examples of achieved status include being an Olympic athlete, a criminal, or a college professor.
Ascribed status, on the other hand, is a social position that a person is born into or assigned involuntarily. It is often based on sex, race, and family background. For example, a person can be ascribed the status of being a daughter, an African American, or a member of the working class.
Social status can also be understood in terms of social roles, which are the parts individuals play in a society or group. Each social role carries with it a certain status. For example, the role of a teacher carries with it the status of being an educator and a role model.
Social status is closely related to concepts such as social class, social mobility, and social inequality. Social class refers to the grouping of individuals based on their economic position in a society. Social mobility refers to the ability of an individual or family to move up or down the social and economic ladder. Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
Social status has significant effects on health, education, and overall quality of life. Studies have shown that individuals with higher social status tend to have better health, more educational opportunities, and a higher quality of life.
Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

Tired of being overweight?
Special offer:
Budget GLP-1 weight loss medications
- Semaglutide starting from $29.99/week and up with insurance for visit of $59.99 and up per week self pay.
- Tirzepatide starting from $45.00/week and up (dose dependent) or $69.99/week and up self pay
✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends
Learn more:
- GLP-1 weight loss clinic NYC
- W8MD's NYC medical weight loss
- W8MD Philadelphia GLP-1 shots
- Philadelphia GLP-1 injections
- Affordable GLP-1 shots NYC
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian



