This chapter reviews the theory and research on status organizing processes, which involve the formation of observable inequalities in face-to-face social interactions based on evaluations and beliefs about actors' characteristics. Key concepts include status characteristics, such as age, sex, race, and physical attractiveness, which are differentially valued and associated with distinct sets of specific and general expectation-states. The chapter discusses the stability and self-reinforcing nature of power-prestige orders formed in problem-solving groups, where external status differences are maintained internally. It introduces the "expectation-states" perspective, which explains how these orders emerge from social interactions and prior beliefs about group members. The theory of status characteristics is applied to specific and diffuse status characteristics, multiple and single characteristics, and interactions involving more than two individuals. The chapter also examines the salience of status characteristics, the strength of expectations created by paths of relevance, and the sequencing of definitions of the situation. It discusses how status information is translated into behavior through the aggregation of expectation-states and the power-prestige order. The chapter reviews empirical research supporting the theory, including studies on salience, the burden of proof, paths of relevance, and the combining of multiple status characteristics. Finally, it applies the theory to applied research on sex, race, and physical attractiveness, highlighting the consequences of these characteristics in social interactions.This chapter reviews the theory and research on status organizing processes, which involve the formation of observable inequalities in face-to-face social interactions based on evaluations and beliefs about actors' characteristics. Key concepts include status characteristics, such as age, sex, race, and physical attractiveness, which are differentially valued and associated with distinct sets of specific and general expectation-states. The chapter discusses the stability and self-reinforcing nature of power-prestige orders formed in problem-solving groups, where external status differences are maintained internally. It introduces the "expectation-states" perspective, which explains how these orders emerge from social interactions and prior beliefs about group members. The theory of status characteristics is applied to specific and diffuse status characteristics, multiple and single characteristics, and interactions involving more than two individuals. The chapter also examines the salience of status characteristics, the strength of expectations created by paths of relevance, and the sequencing of definitions of the situation. It discusses how status information is translated into behavior through the aggregation of expectation-states and the power-prestige order. The chapter reviews empirical research supporting the theory, including studies on salience, the burden of proof, paths of relevance, and the combining of multiple status characteristics. Finally, it applies the theory to applied research on sex, race, and physical attractiveness, highlighting the consequences of these characteristics in social interactions.