Social Interactions Flashcards
Statuses
Positions in society that are used to classify individuals. Most exist in relation to each other (e.g. premed with relation to med student and resident)
Ascribed status
A status that one is given involuntarily due to factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and family background
Achieved status
One that is gained as a result of one’s efforts or choices such as being a doctor
Master status
The status by which a person is most identified
Role
A set of beliefs, attitudes, and norms that define expectations for those who hold the status
Role performance
The carrying out of behaviors associated with a given role
Role partner
The person with whom one is interacting
Role set
The various roles associated with a status
Role conflict
Difficulty in satisfying the requirement or expectations of multiple roles
Role strain
Difficulty satisfying multiple requirements of the same role
Role exit
The dropping of one identity for another
Group/social group
Consists of two or more people who share similar characteristics and a sense of unity
Dyad
A group of two people
Triad
A group of three people
Peer group
A group that is defined by association of self-selected equals around similar interests, ages, and statuses
Family group
A group that is determined by birth, adoption, and marriage
In-groups
Groups to which an individual belongs
Out-groups
Groups with which an individual competes or is in opposition
Reference groups
Groups that establish the terms by which individuals evaluate themselves
Primary group
Groups in which interactions are direct, with close bonds providing warm, personal, and intimate relationships to members
Secondary group
Groups in which interactions are superficial with few emotional bonds (e.g. group project group)
Geimeinschaft and Gellenschaft
Theory of community and society in which communities are groups that are united by feelings of togetherness due to shared beliefs, ancestry, or geography; and society refers to groups that are formed because of mutual self-interest, working together towards the same goal
Interaction process analysis
Technique for observing, classifying, and measuring the interactions within small groups
System for multiple level observation of groups (SMYLOG)
Based on the belief that there are three fundamental dimensions of interaction: dominancy vs. submission, friendliness vs. unfriendliness, and instrumentally controlled vs. emotionally expressive
Group conformity
When a group creates pressure on its members that ultimately shapes members’ behaviors
Network
Used to describe observable patterns of social relationships among individuals or groups. Determined by mapping out the interactions between individual units.
Network redundancy
Overlapping connections with the same individuals
Immediate networks
Dense with strong ties
Distant networks
Loose and contain relatively weak ties
Organizations
Entities that are set up to achieve specific goals and are characterized by having a structure and a culture
Formal organizations
Differ from groups in that they may continue despite the departure of an individual member, have expressed goals, have enforcement procedures, characterized by hierarchical allotment of formal roles or duties to members
Characteristic institution
The basic organization of society. Previously kin, clan, or sibling. Now bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
A rational system of political organization, administration, discipline, and control
Iron Law of Oligarchy
States that democratic or bureaucratic systems naturally shift to oligarchy
McDonaldization
The shift in focus towards efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control in societies
Self-presentation/Impression management
The process of displaying oneself to society through culturally accepted behaviors
Basic model of emotional expression
States that emotional expression involves a number of components: facial expressions, behaviors, postures, vocal changes, and physiological changes
Appraisal model
States that there are biological predetermined expressions once an emotion is experienced but that there is a cognitive antecedent to emotional expression
Social construction model
Assumes that there is no biological basis for emotions, and that instead, emotions are based on experiences and the situational context alone
Display rules
Cultural expectations of emotions. Govern which emotions can be expressed and to what degree
Cultural syndrome
A shared set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, values, and behaviors among members of the same culture that are organized around a central theme. Influences the rules for expressing emotion.
Impression management
Refers to our attempts to influence how others perceive us. This is done through the regulations or controlling of information in social interactions. Three selves: authentic, ideal, and tactical
Authentic self
Describes who the person actually is, including both positive and negative attributes
Tactical self
Who we market ourselves to be when we adhere to others’ expectations of us (similar to ought self)
Self-disclosure
Impression management strategy. Giving information about oneself to establish an identity
Managing appearances
Impression management strategy. Using props, appearance, emotional expression, or associations with others to create a positive image
Ingratiation
Impression management strategy. Using flattery or conforming 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 onto another person.
Dramaturgical approach
The metaphor of theater performance which describes how individuals create images of themselves in various situations.
Front stage
Performing according to setting, role, and script in order to conform to the image you want others to see
Back stage
When you are not being observed by an audience and are free to act in ways that may not be congruent with your desired public image without having to worry about ruining the performance
Mead’s I
The creative expression of the individual
Mead’s me
The part of the self that is a response to the environment
Communication
The ability to convey information by speech, writing, signals, or behavior
Verbal communication
The transmission of information via the use of words, whether spoken, written, or signed
Nonverbal communication
Refers to how people communicate, intentionally or unintentionally, without words
Animal communication
Any behavior of one animal that affects the behavior of another
