Section 3 Types of Social Interaction

Journal #25

What did you discover about in-groups at MKS?

Section 3 Types of Social Interaction

Five Types of Social Interactions

1. Cooperation2. Conflict3. Social exchange4. Coercion5. Conformity

Cooperation

Interaction in which individuals or groups combine their efforts to reach a goal.

Usually occurs during times of high stress.

Activity: Take out a piece of paper and

write down what changes would occur if from now on people were born with four thumbs.

Just brainstorm and write down whatever ideas come to mind.

Now count and mark how many responses you had.

Cooperation

Now pair up in groups of two.

What would you do if you were given one million pipe cleaners?

Brainstorm all ideas with partner.

Count total and mark how many, and compare first total with second.

Was brainstorming easier alone or with a group? Without some degree of

cooperation, social life could not exist.

Conflict

Conflict – interaction aimed at defeating an opponent.

Conflict is normally thought of as disruptive form of interaction.

However: Conflict can be socially

beneficial. Sociologists Georg Simmel

stated that conflict actually promotes cooperation.

Conflict

Conflict also draws attention to social inequities.

Change norms, beliefs, and values

Our book says that even the KKK can have a functional purpose. Do you agree or disagree?

Social Exchange

All men, or most men, wish what is noble but choose what is profitable; and while it is noble to render a service not with an eye to receiving one in return, it is profitable to receive one. One ought, therefore, if one can, to return the equivalent of services received, and to do so willingly.

Aristotle

Social Exchange

A voluntary action performed in the expectation of getting a reward.

Do for others as they have done for you.

Benefit earned > Relationship

What is the difference between cooperation and social exchange?

People working at a bake sale, how can the scenario be cooperation? How can it be social exchange?

Not Social Exchange

Coercion

The interaction in which individuals or groups are forced to behave in a particular way.

Coercion is the opposite of social exchange Force vs Voluntary Beneficial for only one

side

Conformity

Behavior that matches group expectations.

Groupthink – self-deceptive thinking that is based on conformity to group beliefs, and created by group pressure to conform.