"The objects people have can affect status.  The rich collect fine
art or classic cars. The not-so-rich believe they can enhance their
status by collecting less expensive objects such as dolls, demitasse
cups or beer cans," sociologist Murray Milner Jr. notes.

BOOK SHEDS LIGHT ON BEER CANS, BAPTISTS AND BRAHMANS

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 20 -- Have you ever wondered why
people collect beer cans?  Have you considered why Episcopalians
kneel in church, but Baptists don't?  Ever puzzled over your
teenager's obsession with lunch-time friends?
	Some explanations for their behavior can be found by
studying the Indian caste system, according to University of
Virginia sociologist Murray Milner Jr., who conducted a long-term
study of how status concerns shape human behavior.  His findings are
published in "Status and Sacredness"  by Oxford University Press.
	By studying India's caste system, the world's most elaborate
system defining status and one that has existed for 3,000 years,
Milner developed a theory to explain how people act in situations
where status is important. 
	His theory rests on four central ideas:
	¥ Status is relatively inexpansible, meaning if some groups
gain status, others often lose it.  As a consequence, social
mobility tends to be highly restricted.
	¥ Status is relatively inalienable, or incapable of being
transferred.  "People are willing to trade money and other resources
for status because it is relatively secure.  People can take your
money, property or political office, but they cannot steal status
since it represents the respect others have for you," Milner said.
	¥ One key source of status is conformity to norms of a
group.  Privileged groups establish elaborate norms, such as manners
or fashions, to keep others from being able to conform.  The
extensive rituals within the caste system and Hinduism are striking
examples of such elaboration, the sociologist believes.
	¥ A second key source of status is social associations.
"The status of those with whom you associate -- especially those in
intimate relationships -- affects your status. In all societies
marriage and eating practices are publicly visible signs of intimacy
and are, therefore, carefully regulated.  That is why in traditional
India people refused to eat with anyone who was not a member of
their caste.  Similarly, in America teenagers are vitally concerned
about sitting with the 'right group' in the lunch room," Milner said.
	When practicing religion, people often reverse their usual
status relationships, the sociologist found.  "Episcopalians, who
tend to be from high-status backgrounds, tend to act deferentially
toward God by kneeling, maintaining silence within the sanctuary and
participating in formal services.  Baptists, who historically have
been from lower classes that are seldom on easy terms with their
worldly superiors, stress an intimate, informal relationship with
God," he said.
###
September 19, 1996
	FOR MORE INFORMATION Murray Milner can be reached at (804)
924 6520, office; (804) 296-0578, home; or via mm5k@virginia.edu.
Television reporters should contact our TV News Office at (804)
924-7550.