What is Robert K Merton known for?

Table of Contents:

1. What is Robert K Merton known for?
2. Is being a mom ascribed or achieved?
3. Is being a daughter a status?
4. Is religion an ascribed or achieved status?
5. What are examples of achieved status?
6. Is marriage an achieved status?
7. What is an example of a master status?
8. Is gender a master status?
9. Can being very fat or very thin serve as a master status?
10. How might such a master status affect someone's personality?

What is Robert K Merton known for?

In 1994 Merton became the first sociologist to be awarded the US National Medal of Science, for "founding the sociology of science and for his pioneering contributions to the study of social life, especially the self-fulfilling prophecy and the unintended consequences of social action."

Is being a mom ascribed or achieved?

A woman becomes a mother by having a baby. ... In contrast, ascribed statuses are the result of being born into a particular family or being born male or female. Being a prince by birth or being the first of four children in a family are ascribed statuses.

Is being a daughter a status?

Some statuses are ascribed—those you do not select, such as son, elderly person, or female. Others, called achieved statuses, are obtained by choice, such as a high school dropout, self-made millionaire, or nurse. As a daughter or son, you occupy a different status than as a neighbor or employee.

Is religion an ascribed or achieved status?

Achieved status is determined by an individual's performance or effort. ... Religion is generally perceived as an ascribed status but for those individuals who choose a religion as an adult, or convert to another religion, their religion becomes an achieved status, based on Linton's definition.

What are examples of achieved status?

An achieved status is a position in a social group that one earns based on merit or one's choices. This is in contrast to an ascribed status, which is one given by virtue of birth. Examples of achieved status include becoming an athlete, lawyer, doctor, parent, spouse, criminal, thief, or a university professor.

Is marriage an achieved status?

Thus, marriage is an almost final achievement in ones adult life. Status in sociology is defined as a named social position that people can occupy. Marriage is indicative of achieved status. Such a status is defined as achieved because it is based upon personal accomplishments.

What is an example of a master status?

In perception, an individual's master status supersedes other identifying traits; for example, if a woman feels that her role as a mother is more important than her role as a woman, a daughter, etc., she is more likely to identify herself as a mother and to identify with other women who label themselves as such.

Is gender a master status?

Put simply, a master status is the defining social position a person holds, meaning the title the person most relates to when trying to express themselves to others. ... Gender, age, and race are also common master statuses, where a person feels the strongest allegiance to their core defining characteristics.

Can being very fat or very thin serve as a master status?

Yes, being very fat or thin can serve as a master status. Generally, there is a feeling of moral superiority behind being thin, so, a very thin person could achieve the master status of extremely desireable.

How might such a master status affect someone's personality?

2. How might such a master status affect someone's personality? If someone is to have a disease or disability that becomes a master status, they might see themselves as nothing more than their illness and it could potentially change their personality.