Ascription BY MERIT
We may today have developed a’form of quasi ascription through our trend toward meritocracy. A meritocracy is a social system in which status is assigned according to merit, .and today, merit is most commonly measured by scores on standard sized tests which control access to educational programs and occupational roles. If one assumes that these scores are reasonably .stable for an individual, then the result is a kind of caste system in which test scores, largely, dependent upon heredity and early environment, may shape one’s entire life. This means that a. new type of ascribed status has developed, not directly dependent pin the status of one’s ancestors but perhaps almost as rigid.
