Social Structure

Social Interaction, Types of Societies, Societal Groups and Formal Organizations

Social Structure

Network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction.Role: Behavior, rights, or obligation of a particular status.Status: Socially defined position in a group or society. ex: I am a Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Teacher, Coach, Friend, Nephew, Grandson, Neighbor etc)

Status

Ascribed Status: Assigned beyond a person’s control. Ex: Teenager, Gender, Family Heritage, Race.Achieved Status: Based on achievements or efforts. Ex: Occupation, Husband/Wife, Graduate, Athlete.Master Status: one status that is dominate and defines you as a person… this status can be ascribed or achieved.

Role

Reciprocal Roles: corresponding roles… one role only exists because of another. Ex: Husband/Wife, Employee/Employer, Friend/Friend.

Social Institution

When group of roles/statuses are organized to satisfy one or more basic needs of society, it becomes an institution. Ex: Family, Economy, Education, Religion, Government.

Types of Social Interaction

Exchange

Competition

Conflict

Cooperation

Accommodation

Social ExchangeWhenever people interact in an effort to receive a reward or a return for their actions.This includes almost all daily interactions.Reciprocity: idea that if you do something for (or to) someone, that person owes you something in return.Exchange Theory: Believe that people are motivated by self-interest in the interactions with other people.

Social Competition

Occurs when two or more people or groups oppose each other to achieve a goal that only one can attain.

This is common in Western societies (Market Economies)

Most sociologists view this as a positive means of motivation people to perform (as long as there are accepted rules of conduct).

Social Conflict

The deliberate attempt to control a person by force, to oppose someone, or to harm another person.

Has few rules of conduct (different from competition)

Mostly a negative form of interaction, but does provide some positive responses such as unity and loyalty.

Social CooperationOccurs when two or more people or groups work together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one person.Social process that gets things done.This can coincide with competition (competing for spot on a team).

Social Accommodation

A state of balance between cooperation and conflict.

Example: A Hotel… the owner is letting you stay a night in exchange for money. If the owner was cooperating with you, you would stay for free… if the owner refused to let you stay, the owner would create conflict.

Types of Societies

Preindustrial Society

Industrial Society

Postindustrial Society

Preindustrial Society

Food production is the main economic activity.

Hunting and Gathering Societies

Pastoral Society: rely on the herding of domesticated animals (livestock)

Horticultural Society: Small garden plots; slash and burn technology

Agricultural Society: Plow fields; terrace farming; irrigation; use crops for barter

Industrial Society

Emphasis on the production of manufactured goods

More developed or developing nations

Urbanization

Postindustrial Society

Economy is based on information and servicesMost Western Nations including the United StatesHigh standard of living with an emphasis on education and careers

Groups within Society

Aggregate: Not a group; a gathering of people in the same place, but lack organization or interest. Ex: AirplaneDyad: Smallest group; two people. Depend on each other for group to exist.Triad: Three person groupSmall Group: No more than 15; any more than that small groups within will form.

Organization of Groups

Formal Group: Clearly defined structure, goals, and activities.

Informal Group: No official structure or rules of conduct within the group.

Types of Groups

Primary Group: Family; small group who interact over long period of time

Secondary Group: Interaction is impersonal and temporary; Ex: workplace… primary relationships may develop among secondary group members.

Reference Group: individuals identified with or attitudes are similar. Ex: group of friends or school clubs.

Types of Groups

In-Group: group a person identifies and belongs to.Out-Group: group a person can not identify with and does not belong to.E-communities: social groups on the internetSocial Network: includes both direct and indirect relationships; do not have clear boundaries

Structure of Formal Organizations

Formal Organization: large, complex secondary group established to achieve specific goals.

Bureaucracy: ranked authority structure that operates according to specific rules and procedures

Weber’s Model of Bureaucracies

According to Max Weber, a bureaucracy must contain the following to be classified as such:

Division of Labor: divided into specialistRanking of Authority: lines of responsibilityEmployment based on formal qualificationRules and RegulationsSpecific Lines of Promotion and Advancement