Sociology

PART A: YOUR STATUS SET, ROLES, AND ROLE PROBLEMS

1) Status Set:

a) List a status set that includes at least five

statuses that you currently have.

•• Remember: A status is simply a position you

fill in society. It may be a job title, but it could

also include a position you fill within a family

or a community. For more information,

review Section 4.3 in your webtex

b) Label each status in your status set as ascribed,

achieved, or master.

•• Remember: An ascribed status is one you’re

born with and have no control over. An

achieved status is reached through your own

efforts or simply good or bad luck. A master

status is so important that it overrides your

other statuses. For more information, review

Section 4.3 in your webtext.

2) Roles:

a) Choose one status from your status set.

b) Describe the role that is associated with the

status.

c) Describe how you learned that role.

•• Remember: A role is the behavior expected

of someone with a certain status. For more

information, review Section 4.4 in your

webtext.

3 Role Problems:

a) Choose two statuses from your status set.

b) Describe a time when you experienced a problem

because of the demands of your two different

roles associated with those statuses.

c) List at least two different ways you could have

solved the problem. For example, could you ask

someone for help? Or could you go online to

research a possible solution?

d) Describe the approach you took to solve the

problem. What was the result? Would you do

things differently next time?

PART B: SOCIAL NETWORKS AND POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS

1) Social Networks:

A social network includes all of the relationships that

link you to other people and groups. Through social

networks, you can connect with people who may be

able to offer you valuable advice, introductions, or opportunities.

a) Identify an area of interest that you would like

to pursue, either professionally or personally. It

could be a job or industry, a volunteer position, or

a social group.

•• Examples: accounting, volunteering with the

elderly, joining a book club

b) Identify and describe three people in your social

network (people you know personally) who

have a connection, or might know someoconnected to your area of interest. These three

people may be work colleagues, family members,

or close friends.

•• Remember: For privacy reasons, do not list

their names in this assignment. Instead,

identify them as Person A, B, and C.

c) For each person, write a brief description of why

you selected them, and how they are connected

to your area of interest.

d) Identify the person who you think is the best

contact for you to communicate with about

your area of interest. Why did you choose that

person