Final answer:
Master status is the primary status that defines an individual's social identity, often related to occupation, race, gender, or age, strongly shaping one's life by affecting access to resources and societal treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In sociological terms, master status is a primary identifying status of an individual which supersedes other statuses and is paramount in shaping that individual's life, especially in the eyes of others. For instance, someone's master status could be their occupation, like being a doctor, which overshadows other statuses such as being a parent or an amateur painter, in terms of social identity.
Occupations often contribute considerably to social stratification, granting varying levels of power and prestige, and are influential enough to impact one's standard of living. Moreover, master status is not solely about occupation; it could also be determined by race, gender, or age, often reflecting historical patterns of inequality and traditional socio-economic arrangements. Variances in master status can create differing access to resources, support systems, and can transmit cultural norms, thus reinforcing or challenging social stratification.