Social Behavior What is Social Psychology Some Definitions

Social Behavior

What is Social Psychology? Some Definitions • Social Psychology: Scientific study of how individuals behave, think, and feel in social situations; how people act in the presence (actual or implied) of others • Culture: Ongoing pattern of life that is passed from one generation to another

Social Roles • Social Role: Patterns of behavior expected of people in various social positions (e. g. daughter, mother, teacher, President • Ascribed Role: Assigned to a person or not under personal control – Achieved Role: Attained voluntarily by special effort: Teacher, mayor, President • Role Conflict: When two or more roles make conflicting demands on behavior

Status • A social position that a person holds • Status set – All the statuses held at one time • Dance partner • Boss • Friend • Harley club member • Sports participant • Business manager Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Type of Status • Ascribed: Involuntary positions • Achieved: Voluntary positions Often the two types work together. What we’re ascribed often helps us achieve other statuses. • Master status: Has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life. Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Status • Make a list of 10 statuses in your life. Determine whether they are achieved or ascribed Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role The behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status • Role set – A number of roles attached to a single status – Example: status of mother • Disciplinarian • Sports authority • Dietitian • Dr. Mom • Pretty mom Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role Conflict and Role Strain • Role conflict – Involves two or more statuses • Example: Conflict between role expectations of a police officer who catches her own son using drugs at home–mother and police officer • Role strain – Involves a single status • Example: Manager who tries to balance concern for workers with task requirements –office manager Sociology, 12 Edition by John Macionis th Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role Exit • Role exit: Becoming an “ex” – Disengaging from social roles can be very traumatic without proper preparation. • The process of becoming an “ex” – Doubts form about ability to continue with a certain role. – Examination of new roles leads to a turning point at which time one decides to pursue a new direction. – Learning new expectations associated with new role. – Past role might influence new self. Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Figure 6. 1 Status Set and Role Sets A status set includes all the statuses a person holds at a given time. The status set defines “who we are” in society. The many roles linked to each status define “what we do. ” Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Roles • Give one example of role conflict and one example of role strain in your own life. Sociology, 12 th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Groups • Group Structure: Network of roles, communication, pathways, and power in a group • Group Cohesiveness: Degree of attraction among group members or their commitment to remaining in the group – Cohesive groups work better together • Status: Level of social power and importance • Norm: Accepted, but usually unspoken, standard of appropriate behavior

More on Groups • In-Group: Group with which an individual identifies • Out-Group: Group with which an individual doesn’t identify