(9) Members of in-group feel that their personal welfare is bound up with other

members of group but out-group members do not feel so.

2.6. SOCIAL STATUS

As a science, sociology is mainly concerned with the study of society. In order to study
and analyze society sociology uses different concepts. Every subject has its own concepts and
ideas, So also sociology. Definite concept eradicates ambiguity of meaning and give scientific
form to any idea. Social status is one such concept of sociology.

Social status is very important both for individual and society. A status system is
a universal feature of human society. It is basis of organization of group life and determines
who occupies what. Inequality of status is a marked feature of every society, ancient or
modern. Inequalities are inherent in the nature of human beings. Apart from natural
differences, human being are also differentiated according to socially approved criteria. Every
member of society occupies different statuses. Hence, understanding society requires an
understanding of status is one of the structural unit of a society.

2.6.1. Meaning.

Ordinarily the word ‘status’ is used to refer to an individuals total standing in society. It
refers to a set of privileges and duties. Status is usually defined as the rank or position of a
person in a group or a group in relation to other groups. Status is the social position occupied
by the members in a particular social setting. It also refers to social standing of a person based
on some social evaluation. Status is a position in the social system. It refers to what a person is .
The term status is used to designate the comparative amounts of prestige or respect accorded
to persons who have been assigned different roles in a group or community. Status of a person
is based on social evaluations. Status may vary from person to person or situation to situation.
Status is closely related to roles.

2.6.2. Definitions.

Status has been defined by different sociologists in a number of ways. Some define it as
a social posting occupied by an individual in a particular social setting. While others define it as
a social standing of a person according to some social evaluation.
 1. According to MacIver and Page : “Status is the social position that determines for its
possessor, apart from his personal attributes or social service, a degree of respect,
prestige and influence”.
2. According to ogburn and Nimkoff “Status is the rank-order position assigned by a group
to a role or to a set of roles”.
3. According K.Davis, “Status is a position in the general institutional system, recognized
and supported by the entire society spontaneously evolved rather than deliberately
created, rooted in the folkways and mores”.
4. According to A.W. Green, status is a position in a social group or grouping, in relation to
other positions held by other individuals in the group or grouping”.
5. According to secured and Bukman, “Status is the worth of a person as estimated by a
group or a class of persons”.
6. According to H.T. Mazumdar, “status means the location of the individual within the
group his place in the social network of reciprocal obligations and privileges rights and
duties”.
7. Martindale and Menachesi defines status as “a position in social aggregate identified
with a pattern of prestige symbols and actions”.

Thus, the above definitions make it clear that status is a social position which involves some
sort of evaluations. These evaluations help in ranking of different statuses in a hierarchical
order. Secondly, status is culturally determined, despite the fact they may be based on
biological factors such as age, sex, race etc.

2.6.3. Characteristics.

Status have the following characteristics.

1. Status is the structural unit of a society.

2. Status is a position or social standing of a person.
3. Status evolved spontaneously.
4. Status is closely related to roles.
5. Status involves some sort of evaluations.
6. Status is comparative in nature.
7. Status may be achieved or ascribed.
8. Status is created by opinion of others.
9. Status is variable.
10. Status is greeted with respect.
 2.6.4. Types.

There are mainly two types of status :

(a) Achieved status.

(b) Ascribed status.

(A) Achieved Status : Statuses which are not fixed by inheritance, biological characteristic
or other factors, over which the individual has no control are known as achieved status. This
type of status is generally found in an open system of stratification. It came into existence as a
result of some degree of purposive action and choice. Lecturer, doctor, engineer are example of
achieved status. When a society allows its members to change their status according to their
talents and efforts it came under this achieved status category.

(B) Ascribed Status : Statuses which are relatively fixed and individual can do little to
change, it is known as ascribed status. This status can not be changed during the life span of an
individual is ascribed in nature. Society has its own rules to ascribe status to different people.
Generally three factors are important in being ascribed status in society i.e. age, sex and
kinship.

2.7. ROLES

Role is a basic concept of sociology. It is a structural unit of society. It is a universal

feature of the society. As a Science, Sociology is mainly concerned with the study of society. In
order to study society sociology tries to understand concept like role. Every member of society
performs some roles. Performing or playing roles involves social relationships in the sense that
an individual plays a role in relation to other roles. Sociology lays stress on the interactions and
relationships of human beings. Human relationships, interactions and role playing or role
performance take place in society. Hence understanding society requires the understanding of
roles. Shakespeare’s classic description of the world as a stage in which each individual play
different roles shows the importance of roles in society. In society every person is assigned
different tasks to perform which makes up his role.

2.7.1. Meaning
 If you give a look at society you find that individuals differ in attributes like age, sex,
colour and occupations. Individuals perform different functions in society. Some are laborers
other are scientists, some are professors others are engineers while others are doctor, leaders,
solders etc. The society is based on division of labour in which every person is assigned a
specific task to perform which makes up his role.

Role is the behaviour expected of one who holds a particular status or position. Role is
closely associated with status. Roles provide means for accomplishing certain tasks. The
concept of role implies a set of expectations. Human behaviour is regulated and organized by
social roles. Learning roles involves learning the norms of the culture. As an aspect of culture
roles provide an important part of the guidelines necessary for an ordered society. Originally,
the word ‘role’ refers to ‘roll’ on which an actor’s part was written. Accordingly, role consists of
behaviour expected of an individual in community. Role is a relational term. One plays a role in
relation to another. There cannot be a teacher without a student. Hence role represents
reciprocal relations among individuals and involves a series of rights and duties. Each status in a
society is accompanied by a number of norms which define an individual occupying a particular
status expected to act. This group norm is known as role. For example, status of teacher is
accompanied by the role of teacher. Playing or performing roles involves social relationships in
the sense that an individual plays a role in relation to other roles. Role is a dynamic aspect of
status.

2.7.2. Definitions

1. According to K. Davis Role is the manner in which a person actually carries out the
requirement of his position”.
2. According to ogburn and Nimkoff, “Role is a set of socially expected and approved
behaviour patterns; consisting of both duties and privileges, associated with a particular
position in a group”.
3. According to G.A.Lundberg, “A social role is a pattern of behaviour expected of an
individual in a certain group or situation”.
4. According to Morris Ginsberg, status is a position and a role is the manner in which that
position is supposed to be filled. In other words role is the functional aspect of a status”.
5. According to Linton, “Role is a dynamic aspect of status”.

Thus, role is a set of expectations which is expected from an individual in society. Smooth
running of society depends on efficient and consistent performance of roles. Successful role
performance requires possession of attitudes to such role. Role represents reciprocal relations
among individuals.
 2.7.3. Characteristics.

Role have following characteristics.

1. Role is the structural unit of society.

2. Role is always associated with status or position.
3. Role is relational in nature.
4. Roles regulate and organize human behaviour.
5. Roles provide guidelines and directives to an ordered society.
6. Role implies a set of expectations.
7. Roles involves a series of rights and duties.
8. Role is dynamic.
9. Role is functional.

2.7.4. Related concepts.

Understanding of roles requires the understanding of some related concepts. Some such
concepts are as follows:

1. Role Set : Role set refers to variety of roles associated with a single status. For example,
status of a principal involves a number of roles i.e. his role in relation to student, staff,
teacher etc.
2. Role Playing : Role playing refers to the performance of role by an individual related to
his status.
3. Role Taking : Role taking means learning of role. It means taking the role of the other.
In the process of socialization an individual learns a number of role. It means responding
by placing oneself imaginatively in the role of the other person in order to regulate
one’s own behaviour Exa- a boy facing an interview for his selection as lecturer.
4. Role Conflict : Role conflict refers to the contradictory demands within a role or
competing demands of two different roles. Different role expectations is known as role
conflict. Exa.-conflict of police officer between duty and arresting a friend.
5. Role Behavior : While role is the expected behaviour, role behavior is the actual
behavior of one who plays a role. Actual behavior may vary from expected behavior due
to number of reasons.

2.8. CULTURE

Like society, culture is another important basic concept of sociology. The very existence
of man is tied up to that of society and culture. Man is a social animal at the same time is a
cultural animal. Man is a culture bearing animal. Understanding of human society requires the