Your best friend, who has recently graduated with honors from Harvard University, arrives at a party you are hosting. Despite being a total stranger to all of the guests, your friend is surrounded almost constantly by others throughout the entire evening. How would a theorist like Max Weber analyze this situation?
A) Your friend likely has a large ego and is attention seeking by nature.
B) By attending an elite university, your friend has openly stated his dislike for the working class, drawing lots of attention.
C) Your friend enjoys high prestige due primarily to the affiliation with a high-prestige university.
D) Your friend enjoys a lot of wealth and privilege and thus draws others who seek that as well.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Max Weber's theory of social stratification, prestige is a key component of status. Your friend's association with Harvard University, which is known for its high prestige, likely contributes to the attention he receives from others. This attention is not as heavily influenced by factors like ego, personal wealth or privilege, or overt displays of contempt for the working class.

Your Best Friend, Who Has Recently Graduated with Honors from Harvard