Final answer:
The statement is true; status refers to a person's rank or position within society, while role is the expected behavior linked to that status. An individual can have multiple statuses and roles simultaneously.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that there is a difference between role and status, where we occupy a status and play a role, is true. Sociologists define status as the rank or position that a person holds within society, which comes with certain responsibilities and benefits. These can be ascribed, such as being a son or daughter, which you do not choose, or achieved, such as becoming a nurse or a self-made millionaire, which are based on personal choices. Roles, on the other hand, are the behaviors and actions expected of someone holding a particular status. For example, the role of a 'student' includes attending classes, studying, and submitting assignments, all of which are behaviors aligned with the status of being a student.
In summary, while status is about our position in the social hierarchy, roles are about the expected behavior associated with that status. An individual can have multiple statuses and the associated roles at the same time, reflecting the complexity of our social interactions.