Rules of Status: Ascription and Achievement
Achieved status is a position gained based on merit. Ascribed status is a position based on who a person is, not what he does. When this ascriptive status rule is used (Medieval Europe), people are placed in a position based on personal traits beyond their control. Social mobility is more common in countries with open systems that use achievement as the basis for status.
Mobility regimes can be positive and/or an negative sum. Structural mobility is mobility resulting from changes in the number and kinds of jobs available in a society. Examples: Great Depression, many job losses, the government and many people in need of major help. According to sociologist John H. Goldthorpe, social mobility is normally seen in two ways. The first being that it is a basic source of social "structuration." The second is that the extent of mobility may be a strong indicator of the balance of power and status within a society.
Read more about this topic: Intergenerational Mobility
Famous quotes containing the words rules of, rules and/or achievement:
“In really hard times the rules of the game are altered. The inchoate mass begins to stir. It becomes potent, and when it strikes,... it strikes with incredible emphasis. Those are the rare occasions when a national will emerges from the scattered, specialized, or indifferent blocs of voters who ordinarily elect the politicians. Those are for good or evil the great occasions in a nation’s history.”
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)
“Carnal lust rules where there is no love of God.”
—St. Augustine (354–430)
“... very little achievement is required in order to pity another man’s shortcomings.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)