Social Structure Social Structure l the network of

Social Structure

Ø Social Structure l the network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction Ø Status l a socially defined position in a group or in a society

Is status given to someone or are we born into it? There are three types of status:

Ascribed Status Ø status that is assigned according to qualities beyond a person’s control Ø not based on a individual’s abilities, efforts, or accomplishments Ø based on person’s inherited traits or assigned automatically when a person reaches a certain age Ø you don’t earn it, and you can’t change it

Ascribed Status Ø Examples: l l l l Infant Toddler Teenager Adult Man Woman etc

Achieved Status Ø status acquired through their own effort Ø efforts include special skills, knowledge, or abilities Ø people have control over their achieved status

Achieved Status Ø Examples l l l Baseball players Actors Husband Wife Parent etc

Master Status Ø one status takes rank above all others Ø status that plays the greatest role in a person’s life and determining his or her social identity Ø can be ascribed or achieved Ø changes over the course of life; often based on one’s occupation

Roles

Ø Role l the behavior – the rights and obligations – expected of someone occupying a particular status

Ø Role Expectations l The socially determines behaviors expected of a person performing a role l Example: • doctors are expected to treat their patients with skill and care

Are expectations always met? Ø Role Performance l their actual role behavior l people’s performance don’t always match their expected behavior

Does a single status have only one role? Ø Role Set l different roles attached to a single status Ø Role Conflict l occurs when fulfilling the role expectations of one status makes it difficult to fulfill the role expectations of another status

Ø Role Strain l occurs when a person has difficulty meeting the role expectations of a single status