Status is a social position that a person occupies. It can be ascribed (assigned at birth) or achieved (earned). A person holds many statuses at once: daughter, student, employee, citizen. The most important one is the master status, which shapes how others see you and often overrides other identities.

Status is not the same as role. Status is the position. Role is the behavior expected in that position. A teacher has the status of teacher. The role includes grading, instructing, and mentoring. Status is a place in the social structure. Role is what you do there.

Types of status

• Ascribed: assigned at birth, like race or family background
• Achieved: earned through effort, like doctor or spouse
• Master: the primary status others use to identify you
• Status set: all the statuses a person holds at once

Status shapes interaction. People treat a CEO differently than a janitor, even if they are the same person outside work. Status hierarchies are not always fair. But they organize social life and make behavior predictable.