A Model and a Metric for the Analysis of Status Attainment Processes. Discussion Paper No. 492-78.

This paper proposes a theory of the status attainment process, and specifies it in a mathematical model. The theory justifies a transformation of the conventional status scores to a metric that produces a exponential distribution of attainments, and a transformation of educational attainments to a metric that reflects the competitive advantage conferred by education. The new metric produces theoretically more meaningful results than the old metric when used together with the proposed model in an analysis of change in status; and also performs better statistically with the proposed model, as well as with conventional models for the level of status. An empirical analysis demonstrates that there are less favorable career opportunities for women compared to men and for blacks compared to whites. (Author)