Final answer:
True, a status set does refer to the various roles that an individual has throughout their lifetime, encompassing both ascribed and achieved statuses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a status set refers to the roles people have over the course of their lifetimes is true. Sociologists define status as the responsibilities and benefits that a person experiences according to their rank and role in society. There are two types of statuses: ascribed statuses, which are those you do not select, such as gender or age, and achieved statuses, which are obtained by choice, like a career or level of education. One individual may have multiple statuses simultaneously, each with its own set of roles and expectations to fulfill. For example, even a single status such as "student" comes with a complex role-set, including being a learner, a group member, and possibly an employee if they are working part-time.
A person's status set may change and evolve throughout their life as they take on new roles or as some of their statuses change. For example, a person may begin as a student, then becomes a graduate, an employee, a spouse, and perhaps a parent. Each of these is a status that comes with its own roles, expected behaviors, and social interactions. Considering the scope of roles and statuses one occupies, it is evident how dynamic and multifaceted social identity is.