Human Sociality

Question 1

What does Fiske argue about peoples sociability?

Answer 1

FISKE (1992) ARGUES THAT
PEOPLE ARE FUNDAMENTALLY
SOCIABLE.
“…they generally organize their social life in
terms of their relations with other people”
(p.689)

Question 2

What are the four models of social relations on Fiske’s Relational Models Theory?

Answer 2

1. Communal Sharing
2. Authority Ranking
3. Equality Matching
4. Market Pricing

Question 3

What is Communal Sharing?

Answer 3

• Principle: Emphasizes a sense of shared identity and commonality.
• Rules: Resources are distributed based on the principle of equality among
  individuals considered part of the same community or group.
• Example: Families, close-knit communities.

Question 4

What is Authority Ranking?

Answer 4

• Principle: Involves hierarchical structures where individuals have different levels of authority and respect.
• Rules: Interactions are guided by the social ranking of individuals within a structured system.
• Example: Organizations, traditional societies with clear hierarchies.

Question 5

What is Equality Matching?

Answer 5

• Principle: Focuses on maintaining balance and reciprocity in relationships.
• Rules: People keep track of exchanges and seek to ensure that contributions and benefits are roughly equivalent.
• Example: Close friendships, gift exchanges.

Question 6

What is Market Pricing?

Answer 6

• Principle: Involves interactions guided by the principles of supply and demand.
• Rules: Resources are allocated based on negotiations and marketlike transactions.
• Example: Business transactions, some modern economic interactions.

Question 7

Why does Steve Pinker argue Market Pricing shouldn’t be a fundamental mode?

Answer 7

Pinker’s argument centers around the concept of “exchange” and the notion that exchange can be viewed as a derivative or an emergent property rather than a fundamental mode. (The Blank Slate)
Pinker argues that the way people exchange goods or services (what he calls “exchange”) isn’t a fundamental way that humans
relate to each other, like sharing, ranking, or
matching.

Question 8

What are some Criticisms of Fiske’s model?

Answer 8

1. Simplification of Human Relationships
2. Cultural Bias
3. Lack of Developmental Perspective
4. Overemphasis on Cognitive Aspects
5. Inadequate Attention to Power Dynamics

Question 9

Describe the criticisms of Simplification of Human Relationships and Cultural Bias?

Answer 9

Simplification of Human Relationships:
Critics argue that Fiske’s model oversimplifies the complexity of human relationships. Human interactions are multifaceted and influenced by a widen range of factors and reducing them to four models may not capture the richness of social dynamics.

Cultural Bias: Some argue that the Relational Models Theory may exhibit cultural bias, as it was initially developed based on observations within Western cultures. The applicability of the models across diverse cultural contexts has been
questioned.

Question 10

Describe the criticisms of Lack of Developmental Perspective and Overemphasis on Cognitive Aspects?

Answer 10

Lack of Developmental Perspective: Critics
note that Fiske’s model does not provide a
developmental perspective, meaning it does not consider how relational models might evolve or change over the lifespan of an individual or within different stages of a relationship.

Overemphasis on Cognitive Aspects: Some
critics argue that RMT places too much
emphasis on the cognitive aspects of social
interactions, such as categorization and pattern recognition, and may not sufficiently address the emotional and affective dimensions of relationships.

Question 11

Describe the criticism of Inadequate Attention to Power Dynamics?

Answer 11

The theory has been criticized for not
adequately addressing power dynamics within relationships. It may not sufficiently capture how power imbalances influence the choice and application of relational models.