Social Structures Social Structure Social Structure is the

Social Structures

Social Structure Ø Social Structure is the different statuses and roles that make up the guidelines for human interaction. Ø Other words, social structure is the unscripted reason that people act a certain way in a variety of situations.

Status Ø This is your position (where you stand) in a society or group. Ø Forms of Status: 1. Ascribed Status 2. Achieved Status 3. Master Status

Ascribed Status Ø Ascribed status is based on your personal genetic traits. Ø Examples: Being a teenager, race, gender, heritage Ø You cannot do anything about your ascribed status

Achieved Status Ø Achieved status is earned through individual accomplishments. Ø Examples: Working hard, good grades, good behavior, job promotion Ø This form of status is totally controlled by the individual and is dictated by their skills and desire.

Master Status Ø This is the most important aspect of your life that makes up your identity Ø This status will change many times throughout your life Ø Generally based on hobbies or passions and evolve into one’s occupation

Roles Ø Statuses are categories and roles bring those specific categories to life Ø Everyday everyone plays multiple roles and each role falls into a status category

Reciprocal Roles Ø These are roles that you fill that require someone else to interact with Ø Example: Friend-Friend, Husband-Wife, Student-Teacher, Athlete-Coach Ø Most of your daily roles are reciprocal roles

Role Expectation Ø Culture dictates what behaviors and values specific roles perform Ø Example: Teachers are expected to foster learning in a safe atmosphere, Students are expected to engage in learning while respecting the school, classmates and staff

Role Performance Ø This is the actual performance of a role by a specific individual Ø Expectations and Performance do not always match up Ø Not everyone in a culture believes the same things and many people are asked to perform multiple roles

Role Conflict Ø This is when it is difficult to fulfill the expectations of one role because of another (and vice versa) Ø Example: To be a good BF/GF you must give the other attention and affection. To be a good athlete you must dedicate time to practice and preparation. Due to time constraints you will be in conflict.

Role Strain Ø This is when someone struggles to meet expectations of either of their roles that are in conflict. Ø Due to the time constraints mentioned before, the BF/GF does not devote enough time to either and both suffer.

Social Institutions Ø Most sociologists focus on, but not exclusively, five major institutions: 1. Family 2. Economy 3. Politics 4. Education 5. Religion

Social Interaction Ø There are five basic types of interactions that take place in societies around the world. 1. Exchange 2. Competition 3. Conflict 4. Cooperation 5. Accommodation

Exchange Ø This is the most basic form of interactions (based on reciprocal roles) Ø People interact in hopes of receiving a reward Ø Examples: Relationships

Competition Ø This occurs when two or more people are attempting to obtain a goal designed for one Ø Competition is a building block of American society Ø Pro: Great means of motivation Ø Con: Stress, inequality and possibly conflict

Conflict Ø The primary emphasis is on defeating an opponent Ø There are really no rules that govern conflict Ø Four sources: 1. Wars 2. Disagreements 3. Legal Disputes 4. Clashes over Ideas

Cooperation Ø This happens when two or more people work together to obtain a goal Ø This interaction is based on getting things done Ø Businesses, teams, Armies all work together to reach a certain goal or task

Accommodation Ø In an interaction, if you give a little and take a little to ensure everyone’s happy Ø Different forms of Accommodation are: 1. Compromise 2. Mediation 3. Arbitration

Types of Societies Ø There are four types of Preindustrial Societies: 1. Hunting and Gathering 2. Pastoral 3. Horticultural 4. Agricultural

Hunting and Gathering Ø Food is obtained by collecting wild plants and hunting small animals Ø Nomadic tribes that moved in search of food Ø The size of the society is generally around 60 people Ø Family is very important because most people are related in some way

Pastoral Ø They rely on domesticated animals Ø Nomadic, they move the herd from pasture to pasture Ø Larger population allows people to have specialized jobs (blacksmiths) Ø Power obtained through wealth and passed on from generation to generation

Horticultural Ø They rely on crops (fruits and vegetables) Ø Use slash and burn farming method (human labor) Ø Live in semi-permanent or permanent villages Ø Surplus food leads to job specialization (craftsmen)

Agricultural Ø Rely on crops (fruits and vegetables) Ø Often use terracing method of farming (animal labor) Ø Large population because of large amounts of food Ø Job specialization Ø Beginning of a trade based society

Groups Within A Society Ø Groups have four main components: 1. Must be more than 2 people 2. Must have interactions amongst the members 3. Must have shared expectations 4. Must have some form of common identity

Types of Groups Ø 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Here are the various types of groups: Primary Groups Secondary Groups Reference Groups In-Groups and Out-Groups E-Communities

Primary Groups Ø These are long term relationships among small groups Ø These friendships are strong and intimate Ø Generally interact face to face Ø Most common primary groups are family relationships

Secondary Groups Ø These groups have rather casual interactions Ø Many times these relationships are temporary, able to be replaced Ø Importance to the group lies in the function they perform Ø Example would be friends

Reference Group Ø This is characterized by identifying a group and trying to be like them Ø Follow a shared set of values and attitudes Ø Teammates, coworkers, classmates

In-Group Ø This is any group a person belongs to and identifies with

Out-Group Ø These are any groups people do not belong to or cannot identify with

E-Communities Ø With the growth of internet communities these E-communities allow people to interact via the web Ø These communities are outlets for various interactions