Chapter 5-Social Structure and Interaction Flashcards
Social interaction
shared experiences through which people relate to one another
how we interact with people is shaped
by perception of position relative to our own
response to someone’s behavior
based on meaning we attach to their actions
reality is shaped by
perceptions, evaluations, and definitions
social structure
underlying framework of a society consisting of positions people occupy and relationships between them
core elements of society
status
family
groups
education
networks
religion
4 building blocks of social structure
statues and roles
groups
social networks
social institutions
status
social positions we occupy relative to others
ascribed status
assigned to a person by society without regard for the person’s unique talents/characteristics(birth)
achieved status
social position that is within our power to change
master status
dominates other statues and determines a person’s general position within society
social role
set expectations for people who occupy a given social position/status
role conflict
occurs when incompatible expectations arise from to or more social statues held by the same person
role strain
describe difficulty that arises when the same social status imposes conflicting demands and expectations
role exit
process of disengagement from a role that is central to one’s self-identity in order to establish a new role and identity
Helen Rose Fuch Ebaugh’s stage model of role exit
- doubt
- search for alternatives
- action stage: leaving
- creation of a new identity
group
2 or more people, united by shared sense of identity/purpose who interact with each other over time in ways that distinguish them from outsiders-part of society’s social structure
primary groups
small group characterized by intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation, plays role in socialization process and development roles and status
secondary groups
formal, impersonal groups in which there is little social intimacy/mutual understanding
in-groups
groups to which people feel they belong, feel distinct and superior to those in an out-group
out-groups
groups to which people feel they don’t belong
reference group
groups that an individual uses a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior
Coalition
temporary/permanent alliance geared toward a common goal(short lived)