Kimberly R Shears Barnes
AC1208360
Lesson 4: Group Behavior and Teams
Assignment 4_08
January, 28 2015
Status and Role
In 1936, Linton explained status a person’s position within a social system. In the
common society, such positions are parent or child. However, in the context of organization
theory status is what a person is within an organized system of roles and responsibilities. Status
therefore comes with role and responsibility. Status also refers to an individual’s position within
a social system (Macnow & Kaplan Publishing, 2014). Position confers power, honor and
prestige: a person commanding these aspects is regarded as an authority. A similar approach is
applied in organizations status in this respects refers to the role played by an individual in an
organization. Positions within an organization confer power. Status, therefore, derives from
position. With position comes discretion to make decision. A position within an organization
determines the extent to which the person in such a position can influence decision-making.
