What term describes a status that dominates others and determines a person's general position within society?

The term "master status" refers to a social status that holds particular significance and plays a central role in shaping an individual's identity and experiences within society. It is the status that takes precedence over others; for example, a master status can be based on characteristics like race, gender, profession, or disability. This dominant status can influence how a person is perceived by others and can affect their access to resources, power, and opportunities.

In sociology, understanding the concept of master status is crucial because it reveals how certain aspects of identity can overshadow all other roles a person may occupy. For instance, in a workplace context, someone's status as a CEO might overshadow their roles as a parent or volunteer. Recognizing and analyzing master status helps sociologists understand social dynamics and the fraught issues around privilege and inequality in society.