Which of these statements about consumption are correct?(A) In modern…

Which of these statements about consumption are correct?

(A) In modern societies, consumption is a way in which social distinctions are created and communicated.
(B) Max Weber coined the term status symbol.
(C) Consumption grows in importance in capitalist society mainly for economic, not symbolic, reasons.
(D) Companies sell goods by appealing to symbols of status or culture.
(E) Weber held that status groups are differentiated on the basis of their incomes.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → A, B and D only

(A) In modern societies, consumption is a way in which social distinctions are created and communicated. — Correct. In modern societies, consumption is a way in which social distinctions are created and shown.

(B) Max Weber coined the term status symbol. — Correct. Max Weber, one of sociology's founders, coined the term status symbol for the link between goods and status.

(C) Consumption grows in importance in capitalist society mainly for economic, not symbolic, reasons. — Incorrect. The reason is reversed. Consumption grows in importance for economic reasons and also because it has symbolic meaning.

(D) Companies sell goods by appealing to symbols of status or culture. — Correct. Since goods carry meanings, companies sell them by appealing to symbols of status or culture.

(E) Weber held that status groups are differentiated on the basis of their incomes. — Incorrect. Weber held that classes and status groups are told apart on the basis of their lifestyles. Income is the wrong basis.

NCERT (2026-27): “A 4.3 …
In modern societies, consumption is an important way in which social distinctions are created and communicated. The consumer conveys a message about his or her socio-economic status or cultural preferences by buying and displaying certain goods, and companies try to sell their goods by appealing to symbols of status or culture. …”

“One of sociology’s founders, Max Weber, was among the ﬁ rst to point out that the goods that people buy and use are closely related to their status in society. He coined the term status symbol to describe this relationship. For example, among the middle class in India today, the brand of cell phone or the model of car that one owns are important markers of socio-economic status. Weber also wrote about how classes and status groups are differentiated on the basis of their lifestyles.”