What term describes an isolated and enclosed social system that controls most aspects of participants' lives?

The term that accurately describes an isolated and enclosed social system which exerts significant control over most aspects of its participants' lives is known as "total institutions." This concept, developed by sociologist Erving Goffman, refers to places such as prisons, military barracks, mental hospitals, or religious cults where individuals are separated from the broader society and their lives are regulated in nearly every aspect—routine, behavior, even identity.

Total institutions serve to resocialize individuals, stripping away their previous identities and often imposing a new one based on the institution's norms and values. It is this complete control and lack of autonomy that distinguishes total institutions from less controlling social environments.

In contrast, ascribed status refers to a social position one is born into, while achieved status pertains to social positions that individuals attain through their actions. Social identity, on the other hand, is a broader concept referring to how individuals define themselves in relation to groups, encompassing affiliations, roles, and characteristics but does not imply control over one’s life in the same way total institutions do.