Social groups and formal organizations Flashcards
Group
Two or more people who interact with one another, share similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity
Aggregate
a collection of people who are in the same place at the same time but who otherwise have nothing else in common
Category
A collection of people who share a particular characteristic
Primary group
Those personal relations that are direct, face-to-face, relatively permanent, and intimate
Secondary group
Any large group of people who share a purpose and work toward a common interest or goal
Voluntary associations
A group of individuals who enter into an agreement, usually as volunteers, to form a body to accomplish a purpose
Iron law of oligarchy
All forms of the organization, regardless of how democratic they may be at the start, will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies, thus making true democracy practically and theoretically impossible, especially in large groups and complex organizations
In-group
A group to whom you, as a person, belong, and anyone else who is perceived as belonging to that group
Out-group
Anyone who does not belong to your group
Reference group
A group that a person uses as a reference during self-evaluation
Social network
A social structure that exists between individuals
Clique
A formation of two or more individuals who share bonding characteristics that allow for them to identify with one another to form a social network
Bureaucracy
Specific form of organization defined by complexity, division of labor, permanence, professional management, hierarchical coordination and control, strict chain of command, and legal authority
Mcdonaldization of society
the increasing presence of the fast food business model in common social institutions
Goal displacement
The phenomenon by which the original and often radical or idealistic goals of an organization are displaced by the inferior goals required to maintain the organization and keeps its leadership in power
Alienation
When humans feel disconnected or estranged from some part of their nature or form society
Self-fulfilling stereotype
The idea that one person’s or one group’s expectations for the behavior of others can quite unintentionally help to bring about the behavior expected of those others
“Hidden” Corporate culture
The values and beliefs of the corporation that shape employee’s attitudes
Diversity training
A type of corporate training designed to facilitate positive inter groups interaction, reduce prejudice and discrimination, and teach different individuals how to work together effectively
Group dynamics
The social process by which people interact and behave in a group environment
Small group
Typically one where the collection of people is small enough that all members of the group know each other and share simultaneous interaction
Dyad
A group of two things or two people
Triad
A group of three friends
Coalition
A group formed of different organization or people who agree to act together, usually temporarily, to achieve something
Leader
A individual in charge or in command or other people
Instrumental leader
One who is goal-oriented and largely concerned with accomplishing set tasks
Leadership style
A leader’s approach to providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people
authoritarian leader
A leadership style characterized by individual control over all decisions and little input from group members
Democratic leader
Welcome and value others’ input, rely heavily on team participation, and facilitate discussions that enable multiple members of their group to weigh in on decisions
Laissez-faire leader
Takes a hands-off approach to leadership and gives others the freedom to make decisions
Group-think
A psychological and sociological phenomenon in which members of a group will conform to majority opinion to maintain group harmony rather than stating their own opinions
