A status that is given to individuals by their society or group, over which they have little or no control.

A status that is given to individuals by their society or group, over which they have little or no control.

• A. Age
• B. Ascribed status
• C. Status
• D. Power

Answer: (B)

This question is about how social positions are allocated in society. A status that is given to individuals by their society or group, over which they have little or no control is described as an ascribed status. This label fits because it captures positions you don’t choose and can’t easily change—things you’re born into or placed into by social expectations, such as family background, ethnicity, gender, or age categories. The idea is that these statuses come with limited personal agency and are assigned rather than earned. The other ideas don’t fit as neatly. Power is about the ability to influence others, not a position you’re assigned. A general “status” is too vague to specify how it’s allocated. Age is more a natural attribute or a categorical label rather than the formal sociological term for a socially assigned position, even though age can function as an ascribed factor in some contexts.

This question is about how social positions are allocated in society. A status that is given to individuals by their society or group, over which they have little or no control is described as an ascribed status. This label fits because it captures positions you don’t choose and can’t easily change—things you’re born into or placed into by social expectations, such as family background, ethnicity, gender, or age categories. The idea is that these statuses come with limited personal agency and are assigned rather than earned.

The other ideas don’t fit as neatly. Power is about the ability to influence others, not a position you’re assigned. A general “status” is too vague to specify how it’s allocated. Age is more a natural attribute or a categorical label rather than the formal sociological term for a socially assigned position, even though age can function as an ascribed factor in some contexts.