Social Interaction Flashcards
Statuses
Positions in society used to classify individuals (most exist in relation to each other)
Ascribed Status
Status given involuntarily based on race, ethnicity, gender, family background
Achieved Status
Gained as a result of one’s effort / choices
Master Status
Has symbolic value - affects all aspects of that person’s life; most identified as this
Role
Set of values, beliefs, attitudes and norms that define expectations of a status
Role Performance
Carrying out behaviors associated with a given role
Role Partner
Person with whom one is interacting
Role Set
Various roles associated with a status
Role Conflict
Difficulty in satisfying requirements / expectations of multiple roles
Role Strain
Difficulty in satisfying multiple requirements of the same role
Role Exit
Dropping of one identity for another
Group
2+ people who share similarity characteristics and a sense of unity
Peer
Self selected “equals” with similar interests, ages and statuses ; provides feelings of belonging
Family
Determine by birth, adoption, marriages, etc…
In - Group
Sense of belonging; individual identifies as a member of the group
Out - Group
Is in opposition with the group; competes with them
Reference Group
Groups that establish terms by which individuals evaluate themselves
Primary Group
Interactions that are direct, close bonds; intimate and last a long period of time
Secondary Group
Superficial interactions with few emotional ties; last a short period of time
“Gemeinshaft” - Community
Unified by feelings of togetherness due to shared beliefs, ancestry or geography
“Geselishaft” - Society
Mutual self interest working towards the same goal
System for Multiple Level Observation of Groups (Symlog)
Belief that there are 3 fundamental dimensions of interaction
- Dominance vs Submission
- Friendly vs Unfriendly
- Instrumentally Controlled vs. Emotionally Expressive
Group Conformity
Individuals are compliant with the groups goals even if they are in direct contrast with the individuals goals
Group Think
Members focus solely on ideas generated within the group while ignoring outside ideas
Networks
Observable patters of social relationships among individuals / groups by mapping interactions between individual units
Immediate Network
Have strong ties
Distant Network
Have loose, weak ties
Organizations
Entities set up to achieve specific goals
- Continue despite the departure of an individual member
- Have expressed goals
- Enforce procedures to control activities of the member
- Formal hierarchical allotment of roles to members
Bureaucracy
Rational system of political organization, administration, discipline & control
- Paid non-elected officials on a fixed salary
- Officials hold offices and are rewarded with rights & privileges
- Milestones (raise, rights, promotions)
- Advanced degree / training required
- Obligations, privileges and work procedures defined
- Responsibility to meet the demands of ones position
Iron Law of Oligarchy
Democratic or bureaucratic systems naturally shift to being rule by an elite group
Mcdonaldization
Shift in focus toward efficiency, predictability and control in society
Self Presentation (Impression Management)
Process of displaying oneself to society through culturally accepted behaviors
- uses specific strategies to shape what others think of them
Basic Model of Emotional Expression
- (Charles Darwin)
Involves facial expression, behavior, posture, vocal changes and physiological changes
Appraisal Model
Biologically predetermined emotions and cognitive antecedents / precursors
Social Construction Model
Emotion based on experience and situational context ONLY
Display Rules
Cultural expectations of emotions - what emotions can be expressed and to what degree
Cultural Syndrome
Shared set of beliefs, norms, values and behaviors among members of the same culture
Self Disclosure
Impression Management Strategy:
Giving info about oneself to establish an identity
Managing Appearances
Impression Management Strategy:
Using props, appearance & emotional expression to create a + image
Ingratiation
Impression Management Strategy:
Flattery or conformity to expectations to win someone over
Aligning Actions
Impression Management Strategy:
Making questionable behavior acceptable through excuses
Alter Casting
Impression Management Strategy:
Imposing an identity on another person
Authentic Self
Who the person actually is
Ideal Self
Who we would like to be
Tactical Self
When we adhere to others expectations of us
Dramaturgical Approach
Metaphor of theatrical performance to describe how individuals create images of themselves
Front Stage Self
Conform to images others want to see in front of audience / according to the setting
Back Stage Self
Free to act as ourselves without being observed; out of public view
Communication
Ability to convey info by speech, writing, signals or behavior
Verbal Communication
Transmission of info via the use of words (spoken, written or signed)
Non-Verbal Communication
How people communication (un)intentionally without words
Animal Communication
Behavior of an animal effecting another; conveys emotion, intent, health, status, location, etc… through body language, facial expressions, visual displays, scents and vocalizations
