what is status generalizations (describe it) - Status generalization is a social process that occurs when an unrelated status characteristics become salient and have an effect on a social situation. During status generalization, society’s values affect how people interact with one another. Within social interactions, people compare their own personal characteristics to others and rank them according to societal standards. How people are treated in these social conditions are based on societal inequalities. White males are perceived as being the most affluent individuals in our society, therefore being a male and being white will award you more prestige, respect, rewards and influence than a combination of other characteristics, like
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Status is an individual 's social worth, however, in our society gender, race, age, and occupation can allow or deny worth. Male, white, middle-aged, and prestigious occupations (ones that acquire higher levels of education) will be the most beneficial, and most common characteristics to receive positive interactions based on that specific or diffused status. A specific status characteristic is based on ability and task capability, for example, the ability to change a flat tire . A diffused status characteristic is more general and not task specific, such as age, race, and gender. All characteristics about an individual provide information regarding status, such as their age, job, residence, etc. Individuals who possess different characteristics will make that specific characteristic most salient, making status generalization a more common process with heterogeneous groups. Individuals are more likely to create a social hierarchy in a group setting when characteristics are …show more content…
This theory suggests that characteristics that are commonly associated with a certain group of people will stick to that group. These characteristics, however, can positively or negatively influence status value. Constance encounters with members of the same group, who all share similar features will allow others to associate those features with that group. In order for people not to associate status value with groups of people, characteristics must be seen evenly across all groups or opposite characteristics must balance out within the group. For example, if every single teenager you meet tells you a story of them drinking and driving then you might assume this is a common characteristic for all teens. But , if every person you encounter tells you a story about them drinking and driving then you will no long associate this trait with teens, but as a common trait amongst people. It is also possible to eliminate the spread of this status value if you encountered teens that do drink and drive at the same rate you encountered teens that do not drink and
Status is an individual 's social worth, however, in our society gender, race, age, and occupation can allow or deny worth. Male, white, middle-aged, and prestigious occupations (ones that acquire higher levels of education) will be the most beneficial, and most common characteristics to receive positive interactions based on that specific or diffused status. A specific status characteristic is based on ability and task capability, for example, the ability to change a flat tire . A diffused status characteristic is more general and not task specific, such as age, race, and gender. All characteristics about an individual provide information regarding status, such as their age, job, residence, etc. Individuals who possess different characteristics will make that specific characteristic most salient, making status generalization a more common process with heterogeneous groups. Individuals are more likely to create a social hierarchy in a group setting when characteristics are …show more content…
This theory suggests that characteristics that are commonly associated with a certain group of people will stick to that group. These characteristics, however, can positively or negatively influence status value. Constance encounters with members of the same group, who all share similar features will allow others to associate those features with that group. In order for people not to associate status value with groups of people, characteristics must be seen evenly across all groups or opposite characteristics must balance out within the group. For example, if every single teenager you meet tells you a story of them drinking and driving then you might assume this is a common characteristic for all teens. But , if every person you encounter tells you a story about them drinking and driving then you will no long associate this trait with teens, but as a common trait amongst people. It is also possible to eliminate the spread of this status value if you encountered teens that do drink and drive at the same rate you encountered teens that do not drink and