MCAT Identity & Interactions

Question 1

Identity

Answer 1

How we perceive ourselves.

Question 2

Self- concept v. social identity

Answer 2

Self- concept- how we think, and we feel about ourselves. Proposed by Carl Rogers.

Social identity- how we view ourselves as a member of a group.

Question 3

Salience

Answer 3

The process of picking the most important social identity.

Question 4

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory

Answer 4

States that we go through 8 stages of conflict during our life.

1. Trust v. mistrust (ages: 0-3) - attentive care v. not
2. Autonomy v. shame/ doubt (1-3 yrs) - Encouraged v. scolded
3. Initiative v. guilt (3-6 yrs)- successful interaction v. criticism
4. Industry v. inferiority (6-12 yrs) - learning skills v. not
5. Identity v. role confusion (12-20 yrs.) - peer interaction v. not
6. Intimacy v. isolation (20-40 yrs.) - can connect and love others v. not
7. Generavity v. stagnation (40 -65 yrs.) - contribute to society v. not
8. Integrity v. Despair (> 65 yrs) - feeling accomplished v. not.

Question 5

Lawrence Kohlberg stages of moral development

Answer 5

Focusing on moral and ethical development. DOES NOT have ages associated with the stages.

Most people do not make it past stages 3 or 4.

Preconventional level- Morality is controlled by outside forces.
- Stage 1 - individuals avoid punishments.
- Stage 2 - Individuals maximize exchange of favors with others.

Conventional level- Morality is controlled by existing social norms and values.
- Stage 3 - desire to do good and please others.
- Stage 4 - obey laws

Post- conventional - morality controlled by universal moral principles.
- Stage 5 - laws can bend if by doing so they help a greater number of people.
- Stage 6 - justice and dignity applies to all people.

Question 6

Identity formation

Answer 6

The process of integrating various social identities to create a sense of self.

Question 7

Describe George Mead view of the presentation of the self

Answer 7

We have two “ versions” of our self that we present. The I and Me

I - unsocialized, spontaneous

Me- socialized, nonspontaneous

Question 8

Describe how the “ I” and “ Me” of the self is developed

Answer 8

1. Imitation - babies/ toddlers doesn’t have a sense of self separate from the world. They mimic the actions of the caregiver even without knowing the meaning of the actions.
2. Play- through role- taking children develop their “ I” and the “ Me” starts to develop.
3. Game - school- aged children develop the “Me” as they understand themselves in relation to others. Develops through the generalized other.
   • Generalized other - what people view as society’s expectations of them.

Question 9

Looking- glass self

Answer 9

We incorporate other’s opinions about us into our self.

Shapes how we view ourselves.

Question 10

Describes Goffman dramaturgical approach

Answer 10

Dramaturgical approach describes how social interactions is like a play.

The person’s interaction is a “ script” that depends on the setting.

• Front stage self- interaction based on role performance and feedback from people they’re interacting with. Happens with acquaintances, strangers, professionals.
• Backstage self - interaction not based on a role performance and not seeking feedback. Happens with close friends and families.

Question 11

Impression management

Answer 11

All the ways someone try to control how they present themselves to others.

The setting influences how you present yourself.

Question 12

Status

Answer 12

A social position a person has in society.

Question 13

Status set

Answer 13

The collection of all of your social statuses.

The setting determines which status you present.

Question 14

Ascribed status v. Achieved status v. Master status

Answer 14

• Ascribed status - The status you’re assigned at birth
• Achieved status- status that has been achieved through merit
• Master status- status (or statuses) that overshadows other statuses. Can have multiple master statuses that dominants in different social sections.

Question 15

Roles

Role performance

Answer 15

The behaviors that come with a particular status.

Role performance is carrying out the behaviors associated with a certain role.

Question 16

Role strain v. Role conflict v. Role exit

Answer 16

Role strain - Stress in competing different roles within the same status.

Role conflict- stress in competing different roles associated with different statuses.

Role exit- When role conflict or role strain causes someone to leave a role and enter a new one.

Question 17

Social group

Answer 17

A collection of individuals who interact with each other based on shared goals and interests.

Dyad group - groups consists of 2 people.

Triad group- groups consists of 3 people.

Question 18

Primary group v. Secondary group

Answer 18

Primary group- close, personal interactions between members that usually are strong and last for a very long time (friends, families).

Secondary group- impersonal social interactions that are revolved around accomplishing a goal and then disbanding.

Question 19

In- groups v. Out- groups

Answer 19

In-group - People that are part of the group and feel a sense of connection to that group.

Out-group - people that are not part of the group and do not feel a sense of connection to that group.

Question 20

Reference group

Answer 20

A group that a person uses to compare themselves too.

Question 21

Social ties

Answer 21

The relationship between members of group.

Large groups has more social ties and are stronger but smaller groups have stronger social ties.

Question 22

Social Network

Answer 22

An informal web of connections between people, groups, or organizations.

They can have strong ties between a friend or family.
Or they can have a weak tie between acquaintances of friends of friends.

Question 23

Social network analysis

Answer 23

The process of analyzing a person’s social network.

Question 24

Social capital

Answer 24

The advantage a social network can have for an individual.

This can prove extremely beneficial if a weak tie connected through a strong tie lead to connections.

Question 25

Organizations

Answer 25

A complex group that works together for a shared goal.

Question 26

Informal v. formal organizations

Answer 26

• Informal organization- organization that does not have formal roles or rules.

-Formal organization- organization that has formal roles and rules usually in the form of policies.

Question 27

Bureaucracy

Answer 27

A type of organization characterized by maximizing efficiency and productivity through the specialization of tasks.

Question 28

What was Max Weber’s ideas of bureaucracy?

Answer 28

They are needed for society and there are features that make the ideal bureaucracy.

I. Division of labor- specialization of tasks.

II. Hierarchical structure - clear chain of command.

III. Standardization- clear written rules that ensures uniformity.

IV. Impersonal and Impartial procedures for hiring/ firing/ and promoting.

V. Written records are kept keeping track of productivity.

** They’re known to be difficult to navigate and rigid.

Question 29

Law of Oligarchy

Answer 29

States that a bureaucracy can eventually be rule by the few that act to preserve their power rather than act in the good of the organization.

Question 30

McDonaldlization. Describe each element and their drawback.

• Efficiency
• Calculability
• Predictability
• Control

Answer 30

The process of incorporating the elements of a bureaucracy into society.

• Efficiency - states that the quickest and least expensive systems are needed. Drawback- personalization is not available.

-Calculability- quantity over quality. Drawback- decrease in quality of product.

• Predictability - everything is standardized (same across the organization). Drawback - doesn’t leave room for innovation and uniqueness.
• Control- increase in automation (like AI or kiosks). Drawback - can limit the need for a skilled workforce.