Final answer:
The term for opportunities to fulfill potential in society is 'life chances,' which are closely tied to social stratification and social mobility but differ from social statuses and roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social scientists refer to the opportunities that people have to fulfill their potential in society as life chances. This term encapsulates the various opportunities individuals have for achieving economic prosperity, quality education, health care, and overall the potential for living a good life. Life chances are heavily influenced by social factors such as wealth, income, education, family background, and power, which are elements of social stratification. Social stratification refers to a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy based on factors like wealth and social status.
Social mobility is closely related to life chances as it indicates the ability of an individual to move up or down the social hierarchy, which can significantly impact their life chances. While status and role in society are also related concepts, they refer more to the responsibilities and expectations associated with a person's position in society rather than their potential life opportunities.