Famed sociologist Howard Becker, in his book "Outsiders," believed that the powerful set the rules for subordinates, and the subordinates had to follow those rules. This is especially true in the job world. The C.E.O., or the manager, makes rules for workers to follow dutifully; if the workers don't follow the set rules they run the risk of getting fired.
Yet, it is human nature to want to get power because it gives one autonomy and control. In short, it makes us feel good to be up top. No one likes to get bossed around. Power not only gives a person autonomy and control but prestige; prestige is essential because it is a part of the person's master status. Master status is something often shapes identity in someone's life.
The occupation can be part of one's master status. For example, a person's master status is a C.E.O. if he or she is one. The master status defines a person. Many times people associate a person with the person's profession. Let me explain. Tom is a C.E.O. at a bank. People don't look at Tom as Tom, but Tom the C.E.O. C.E.O.s are very powerful; it is good to be labeled as powerful because people respect those in power. Respect gives the person a sense of vindication of self-worth.
What about those in stereotypically powerless roles like service or blue collar work? In 1964, sociologist Raymond Gold wrote about janitorial work in his piece "In the Basement: The Apartment Building Janitor," featured in Peter Berger's book, "The Human Shape of Work." Even though, many consider janitors powerless. It turns out that janitors do try to exert power, both over the tenants and other janitors. Gold notes that janitors teach tenants when and when not to call the janitors for help. Janitors can also compare and compete. Gold notes that a janitor can compare him or herself to other janitors and say that he or she is better than the other janitors. Janitors try to exert power in mays because they want prestige and vindication of self worth. Despite exerting power in different ways, the janitor is like the C.E.O. because no matter what role a person plays, the person wants power because it gives him or her prestige. Prestige gives a person respect and that is something everyone truly wants.
