Groups and Networks

Question 1

dyad

Answer 1

group of two

Question 2

triad

Answer 2

group of three

Question 3

mediator

Answer 3

member of a triad who attempts to resolve conflict between other two

Question 4

tertius gaudens

Answer 4

member of a triad who benefits from conflict between other two

Question 5

divide et impera

Answer 5

role of a member of a triad who intentionally drives wedge between other two

Question 6

small group

Answer 6

a group characterized by face to face interaction, a unifocal perspective, lack of formal arrangements or roles, and a certain level of equality

Question 7

party

Answer 7

similar to a small group but multifocal

Question 8

large group

Answer 8

a group characterized by presence of formal structure which mediates interaction and status differentiation

Question 9

primary group

Answer 9

group composed of enduring, intimate face-to-face relationships that strongly influence ideals and attitudes of those involved (family, friends)

Question 10

secondary group

Answer 10

group marked by impersonal, instrumental relationships

Question 11

in-group

Answer 11

another term for the powerful group, usually the majority

Question 12

out-group

Answer 12

another term for stigmatized and/or less powerful groups, usually minority

Question 13

reference group

Answer 13

group that helps us understand our position in society relative to other group(s)

Question 14

social network

Answer 14

a set of relations held together by ties between individuals

Question 15

tie

Answer 15

the connection between two people that varies in strength from one relationship to the next; think of as a story

Question 16

narrative

Answer 16

sum of stories contained in a set of ties

Question 17

embeddedness

Answer 17

the degree to which ties are reinforced through indirect paths in a social network

Question 18

strength of weak ties

Answer 18

the notion that relatively weak ties are often highly valuable because they yield new information

Question 19

structural hole

Answer 19

a gap between network clusters if those clusters have complementary resources

Question 20

social capital

Answer 20

the information and connections that help individuals enter, gain power in or otherwise leverage social networks

Question 21

organization

Answer 21

a social network defined by a common purpose with a boundary between its members and the rest of the social world

Question 22

organizational culture

Answer 22

the shared beliefs and behaviors within a social group

Question 23

organizational structure

Answer 23

the ways in which power and authority are distributed within an organization

Question 24

isomorphism

Answer 24

a constraining process that forces one unit in a population to resemble other units that face the same set of environmental conditions