Sociology: Building Blocks of Social Structure

achieved status

reciprocal roles

role set

True

Most of the roles you perform have reciprocal roles. Reciprocal roles are corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses. For example, one cannot fulfill the role associated with the status of husband without having someone else perform the role that goes along with the status of wife.

role set

Ideally, when people interact with one another their behavior corresponds to the particular roles they are playing. The socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role are called role expectations. For example, doctors are expected to treat their patients with skill and care.

Sociologists call the different roles attached to a single status a role set. Each of us, because we hold more than one status, must deal with many role sets in our daily lives.

ascribed status

All individuals hold many statuses. For most people, one status tends to take rank above all others. This status plays the greatest role in shaping a person's life and determining his or her social identity. This status is called a master status.