40. Eva starred in a successful film over the summer. When she returns to school in the fall, she finds that everyone, including her teachers, are giving her preferential treatment. What is this an example of?
Answer: A
This is an example of master status.
In this scenario, Eva's successful film role has elevated her status among her peers and teachers, making her celebrity status a dominant characteristic that influences how others perceive and interact with her. This phenomenon is known as master status, where a particular status overshadows others in social interactions.
A) Master status
This option is correct because Eva's newfound fame from her role in the film has become the most significant aspect of her identity in the eyes of those around her. It shapes their expectations and behaviors towards her, illustrating the concept of master status effectively.
B) Status set
This option is incorrect as it refers to the collection of all statuses an individual holds at one time. While Eva certainly has multiple statuses (student, actress), the question focuses on how one status (her celebrity) has become dominant in her interactions, which does not align with the definition of status set.
C) Role conflict
This option is incorrect because role conflict occurs when an individual faces competing demands from different social roles. In this case, Eva is not experiencing conflicting expectations but rather a consistent expectation based on her master status as a celebrity.
D) Role strain
This option is also incorrect as role strain involves difficulties within a single role due to conflicting expectations. Eva is not facing strain within her student role; instead, her celebrity status is influencing how others treat her, which aligns more with the concept of master status.
Conclusion
The correct answer is master status because it effectively captures how Eva's identity as a successful actress has become the overriding factor in her social interactions. Other options like status set, role conflict, and role strain do not accurately reflect the dynamics at play in her situation, as they address different aspects of social roles and identities.