What is the Difference Between Social Status and Social Class

The main difference between social status and social class is that social status is based on one’s factors like family descent, honour and prestige of an occupation, and position in society, while social class is based on socioeconomic factors.

Social status and social class are two important concepts in sociology. The social class and social status of a person decide many things in society. We often tend to use these two terms, interchangeably. However, these are not the same.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Social Status
– Definition, Features
2. What is Social Class
– Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Social Status and Social Class
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Achieved Social Status, Ascribed Social Status, Social Class, Social Status

Social status is a person’s standing in society in relation to others. It also refers to the level of honour, respect, and deference accorded to a person. Some people have a better social status than others. Social status can be ascribed or achieved. Ascribed social status is the status assigned at birth, without considering one’s abilities. Moreover, sex, age, family relationships, religion, and race are usually the basis of an ascribed relationship. For example, we consider a person born to a poor family to have a low social status. However, some people also achieve social status through their skills, abilities, and efforts. This may be based on factors like education, job, accomplishments, and marital status. For example, if someone belongs to lower status by birth, but he gets a good education and a prestigious job, he will achieve a better social status in society.

In a society, people usually use the hierarchy of social status to allocate resources, positions of leadership and other forms of power. However, it’s always possible to change one’s social status receives acceptance from society.

Social class or class is the division of a society based on social and economic status. People in the same social class have the same socioeconomic status. Social class is different from the social status as the basis of social class is the economic background of a person, while the basis of social status involves factors like family descent, honour or prestige of an occupation, and cultural position.

We generally divide the population of a country or society into different classes. Furthermore, many sociologists suggest five social classes for this division: upper, upper-middle, lower-middle, working-class, and poor. The upper class consists of elites, typically the leaders and the wealthiest families in the society. The upper-middle and lower-middle classes mainly consist of positions like administrative officers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc. while the working-class involves those engaged in menial labour.

Definition

Social status is a person’s standing in society in relation to others while social class is the division of a society based on social and economic status.

Basis

The basis of social class is the economic background of a person, while the basis of social status involves factors like family descent, the prestige of an occupation, and cultural position.

Types

Moreover, we can divide social status into two: ascribed social status and achieved status. But we can divide the social class into five: upper, upper-middle, lower-middle, working-class, and poor.

Conclusion

Social status and social class are two important concepts in sociology. The main difference between social status and social class is that social status is based on one’s factors like family descent, the prestige of occupation, and position in society, while social class is based on socioeconomic factors.

Reference:

1. “What Is Social Class.” University of Delaware, Available here.
2. “5.3A: Social Status.” Social Sci LibreTexts, Libretexts, 20 Feb. 2021, Available here.