Unleash Your Sociological Superpowers 2026 – Dive into Society, Culture, and Social Theories!

Ascribed status is a social position assigned at birth or without the individual's choice, such as sex or race. These are not earned or chosen, which is why they fit the description in the question. In contrast, achieved status results from a person’s actions and accomplishments, like obtaining a degree or a particular job, and these can change over time. The term status refers to one’s place in the social hierarchy, and people often hold multiple statuses, some ascribed and some achieved. So the status outside a person’s control is ascribed status.