Final answer:
The correct answers are 'achieved status' and 'ascribed status' option (b), where achieved status refers to the social position one gains through their actions, and ascribed status refers to the social position one is born into or cannot change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Broadly speaking, achieved status refers to a social position linked to one's acquisition of socially valued credentials or skills, while ascribed status refers to a social position linked to characteristics that are socially significant but cannot be altered. Therefore, the correct fill-in-the-blank response is achieved, ascribed.
Achieved status is a status that a person chooses, such as their level of education or income. Examples include being a high school dropout, a self-made millionaire, or a nurse. These are statuses that come as a result of one's efforts, decisions, and actions.
On the other hand, ascribed status is a status outside of an individual's control, such as sex, race, or family heritage. These statuses are inherited or imposed by others and are typically unchanged during an individual's lifetime.
Stratification systems recognize different levels of power, prestige, and status within a society. A class system allows for mobility and change based on achieved status, while a caste system is fixed and heavily dependent on ascribed status.