Chapter 3: Social Structure Flashcards
Socially defined position in a group or society
Status
Network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction.
Social structure
Behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status
Roles
Assigned according to qualities beyond a persons control
Ascribed status
Acquired through their own efforts
Achieved
Plays greatest role in shaping a persons life and determining identity
Master status
Bring statuses to life
Roles
Corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses
Reciprocal roles
Socially determined behaviors of a person performing a role (what they are expected to do in society)
Role expectations
Actual role behavior
Role performance
The different roles attached to a single status
Role set
Fulfilling the role expectations of one status makes it difficult to fulfill the role expectations of another status
Role conflict
A person has difficulty meeting the role expectations of a single status
Role strain
Process people go through to detach from a role that has been central to their self identity
Role exit
People go through certain common stages on their way to creating a new identity as an ex
Helen Rose Ebaugh
Statuses and roles are organized into units that satisfy one or more basic needs of society
Social institution
Take responsibility for raising the young and teaching them accepted norms and values
Family
Organizes the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services
Economy
System of norms that governs the exercise and distribution of power in society
Political institution
Ensures the transmission
Education
Provides a shared, collective explanation of the meaning of life
Religion
When people interact in an effort to receive a reward or a return for their actions. ( holding the door open for someone)
Exchange
The idea that if you do something for a person, that person owes you something in return. ( saying please and thank you)
Reciprocity
People are motivated by self interest in their interactions with other people. (I gave you back the wallet only for the reward)
Exchange theory
When two or more people/groups oppose each other to achieve a goal that only one can achieve. (Sports, businesses, schools)
Competition
Deliberate attempt to control a person by force, to oppose someone, or to harm another person
Conflict
Wars
Disagreements within groups
Legal disputes
Clashes over ideology, such as religion and politics
Four sources of conflict
A state of balance between cooperation and conflict (helps to ensure stability)
Accommodation
Two or more people /groups work together to achieve a desired goal that will benefit more than one person
Cooperation
Occurs when the two parties at odds each give up something to come to a mutual agreement
Compromise
Temporarily brings a halt to the competition or conflict until a compromise can be reached
Truce
Calling in a third party who acts as advisor and counselor to guide the two parties toward an agreement
Mediation
A third party makes a decision that is binding on both parties
Arbitration
Set of people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and who possess a common identity
Group
Largest group studied
Society
Ways societies use technology to provide for the needs of its members
Subsistence strategies
Food production is main economic activity
Preindustrial society
Daily collection of wild plants and hunting wild animals
Move around constantly
Rarely exceed 100 people
Statuses are relatively equal
Hunter- gatherer society
Rely on domesticated animals to meet food needs
Can support larger populations
Have excessive food supply
Pastoral society
Fruits and vegetables grown in garden plots
Slash and burn method popular for cleaning fields
Rotate garden plots
Build permanent or semi permanent villages
Horticultural society
Animal labor utilized more with plows More crops produced Irrigation used Larger populations Specialized led to cities Usually a monarchy
Agricultural society
Emphasis shifts to manufactured goods
Production carried out by machines
Supports larger populations because food production increased
Urbanization occurs
Industrial society
Focus is on information and services, not manufacturing
Standard of living improves as wages go up
Stronger emphasis on education and role of science
Postindustrial society
Preindustrial societies
People share same values and perform the same tasks
United for common good
Mechanical solidarity
More developed society
Complex division of labor; impersonal social relationships
Become dependent on others for survival
Organic solidarity
Most people know each other; group solidarity
Relationships are close
Activities center on family and community
Gemeinschaft
Social relationships based on need; impersonal and temporary
Traditional values are weak
Individual goals are more important than group goals
Gesellchaft
Must consist of two or more people
There must be interaction among members
Member must have shared expectations
Members must posses some sense of common identity
Groups 4 major features
When people gather together in one place but lack organization or interaction
Aggregate
Means of classifying people according to as shared trait or common status
Social categories
The smallest group consisting of two people
Each member has direct control over the groups existence
Dyad
Group of three people
One person cannot disband the group
Decisions are easier to make
Triad
Interaction is not continuous
Varies according to group and need
Time
Structure goals and activities of the group are clearly defined
Examples: FFA meetings, church
Formal group
No official structure or established rules of conduct
Examples: just hanging out, prom planning
Informal group
Small group of people who interact over a relatively long period of time
Examples: relationships are intimate often face to face, communication is deep and intense,structure is informal
Primary group
Interaction is temporary and impersonal
More casual with limited personal involvement
Persons importance depends on function they play for the group (individual can be replaced)
Organized around specific goals
Secondary group
Any group that an individual identifies with
Adopt their attitudes and values
Examples: sports teams, junior senior
Reference groups
Group that a person belongs to or identifies with
Tend to separate themselves through the use of symbols
View themselves positively and others negatively
Often compete with out groups
In group
Group that a person doesn’t belong to or identify with
Out group
People interacting via electronic means
Electronic community
Web of relationships formed by all of a persons interactions with others
Direct and in direct relationships
Do not have clear boundaries
Provide a support system
Social networks
Task oriented (help the group reach goals)
Instrumental leaders
Emotion oriented (find ways to keep the group together and maintain morale)
Expressive leaders
Accordance with accepted rules or conventions
Conformity
