Final answer:
Scarce resources and social rewards are not the basis of ascribed statuses, which are social positions assigned based on factors present at birth rather than on personal achievement or merits. The statement is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scarce resources and social rewards do not determine ascribed statuses. Ascribed statuses are the result of the social system into which an individual is born, such as race, gender, ethnicity, and family background. They are not earned or chosen and are typically distinguished from achieved statuses, which are earned based on one's actions or efforts.
The notion of social stratification suggests that society assigns different values to different roles or occupations. For example, a doctor or lawyer may receive more social rewards due to the perceived importance of their role. However, these are examples of achieved statuses, which are based on individual achievements and are associated with resources and rewards.
In contrast, ascribed statuses do not rely on an individual's ability to acquire scarce resources or to perform at a certain level in society. They are imposed from birth and are not a result of personal achievement. The statement is correctly answered by 'True' as these statuses are inherent and not based on resource allocation or rewards.