status

Meaning: Status is a socially defined position in a group or society that comes with expectations, rights and a degree of prestige. A person typically holds several at once, called a status set (student, daughter, athlete). Ascribed status is assigned at birth or by others, not chosen, such as race, sex or being born into a wealthy family. Achieved status is gained through effort or choice, such as physician or spouse. Master status is the one that overrides the others and shapes how a person is treated, such as a disability or a famous occupation.

On the MCAT: Questions describe a person and ask you to classify a status as ascribed or achieved, or to pick out the master status. Status also links to social stratification and socioeconomic status, which combines income, education and occupation. Related ideas, such as role conflict, role strain and status inconsistency, often appear in the same passage.

Common confusion: Status is not role. Physician is a status; the behaviors expected of a physician are the role. Also, ascribed does not mean fixed forever: age is ascribed yet changes, and some statuses blend both. Ask whether the person chose or earned it.