Measures of Socioeconomic Status: Alternatives and Recommendations

Abstract

MUELLER, CHARLES W., and PARCEL, TOBY L. Measures of Socioeconomic Status: Alternatives and Recommendations. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1981, 52, 13-30. In this paper we argue that it is ill-advised to use impressionistic or outdated measures of SES in psychological research. After we critique such inappropriate measures, 2 occupation-based measures, the Duncan Socioeconomic Index and the Siegel Prestige Scale, are recommended as the best measures of the SES of individuals or household heads. Another strategy is described for measuring household or family SES where the household characteristics and composition vary.