The Qualities Associated With Occupational Status

Abstract

Studies of occupational status (reviewed by Roe, 1956) have shown a high degree of agreement between various groups of people and over time spans. The occupations of physician, lawyer and banker, for instance, have been shown to be highly regarded. But, while people generally can identify the "general standing," the "prestige" or the "status" of an occupation, it is somewhat difficult to identify the basis of such a ranking. It can be assumed that the dimension of occupational status is made-up of several inter-related qualities which this paper will describe.It is certain that a high level of income and the requirement of a high level of education related to high occupational status.Reiss, Duncan, Hatt and North (1961 p. 84) note that the rank correlation Goblot (1961) notes the influence of intelligence and income and adds the qualities of independence and scope. Caplow (1954) begins with the qualities of responsibility, nature of the work, formal education, authority, class attributes, and income, which he condenses to the quality of control over other people's behavior versus their control over the individuals. Those in the top-ranked occupa-Dr.