AS Level Psychology (9990) Case Studies Practice Exam

White-collar refers to office-based, professional or managerial roles that involve cognitive work rather than physical labor. In Milgram’s discussions, this category is used to describe individuals in professional occupations, distinguishing them from those in manual labor (blue-collar) or other non-manual roles. Because of that, the statement is true: white-collar workers are those who work in professional occupations. The alternative that they are manual laborers would be incorrect, since manual labor falls under blue-collar, not white-collar. It isn’t left undefined in Milgram’s framework, as these occupational distinctions were part of how social roles and status were discussed.