Instruments
The Index of Status Characteristics. This index,
developed by Warner, Meeker, and Eells
(1960), has four components: occupation,
source of income, type of house, and area
lived in. A person is ranked on a continuum
of one to seven on each of the four components
or categories. The weighted sum of the
components is the final status score. The following
weights are used: occupation—4,
source of income and house type—3 each, and
area lived in—2. Scores may range from 12
(highest socioeconomic status) to 84 (the lowest
socioeconomic status). The authors of
this instrument have indicated research has
shown it to be a valid measure of socioeconomic
status.