Which statement best describes ascribed statuses?

Ascribed statuses are best described as involuntary social positions that individuals are born into or assigned without regard to their abilities, efforts, or choices. Examples of ascribed statuses include characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, and family background. These statuses are typically fixed and do not change easily over time, as they are tied to the social identity and context into which a person is born.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of ascribed statuses. The belief that they can be easily changed misrepresents their nature; ascribed statuses are generally stable throughout a person’s life. Suggesting that they are chosen by the individual contradicts the concept itself, as individuals do not have control over these statuses. Finally, the notion that ascribed statuses can be achieved through effort reflects the idea of achieved statuses, which are attained based on performance and choices rather than being assigned at birth. Thus, the definition of ascribed statuses clearly aligns with the idea of involuntary social positions.