Figure 1.
The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status. This figure demonstrates the ladder shown to participants when asked to rate their subjective social status9–12 with the following question: “Think of this ladder [diagram of ladder is presented] as representing where people stand in our society. At the top of the ladder are the people who are the best off—those who have the most money, most education, and best jobs. At the bottom are the people who are the worst off—who have the least money, least education, and the worst jobs or no jobs. The higher up you are on this ladder, the closer you are to the people at the very top and the lower you are, the closer you are to the people at the very bottom. (Please mark a cross on the rung on the ladder where you would place yourself.)”.