Social StructuresStratification and Institutions

Social Structures & Organization• Sociologists say cultural

beliefs influence the structure of society• Believe that culture shapes

how roles are assigned & how resources are made available to society’s members

• How an individual moves from one social role to another is determined by society’s institutions & cultural beliefs• Typically institutions are

formed & roles created based on the way the economy is set-up & its political beliefs

Collectivist & Individualistic Societies

Collectivist Society• Community that values the

group more than indy’s, indies needs are secondary to collective thought/action

• Typically less industrialized• Society is segregated by

classifications• Fewer interactions w/ ppl of

different groups• Ppl are more

involved/attached to members of their group

Individualistic Society• Community that values

or believes in indy rights & freedoms to pursue own happiness more than group interests

• Typically industrialized• Society is integrated• Ppl interact w/ all groups

& can shift/change groups

A Further Comparison (don’t copy)

Collective Individualistic

Members… Are interdependent on one another

Are guided by personal goals, indies valued & expressed by the groups joined

Values… Belonging, modesty, conformity, uniformity, harmony, & cooperation

Autonomy, competition, independence, freedom, & assertiveness

Social behaviour

Guided by norms, obligations, & duties

Guided by personal attitudes, needs, & rights

Individual & Communal Goals

Are very similar Are not necessarily similar

• What type of society is Canada?• Japan is considered an industrialized

collective. How would education be different there?

Multiculturalism• Multiculturalism is the political & social belief that ethnic &

cultural diversity is ideal

• Multiculturalism fosters the idea of social cohesion• A way of integrating economic & social policies that allow citizens to

interact easily

• The goal of multiculturalism is to eliminate social fragmentation• The failure of society to fully integrate minority groups into mainstream

culture• Fragmentation creates alienation amongst some groups, which could lead

to the disintegration of accepted social norms

• 2ndly, multiculturalism aims to socially integrate minority groups• The process of bringing minority groups into mainstream culture so they

can enjoy the same rights, opportunities, & services available to the majority

Social Stratification• What do you want to be when you grow up?• Notice how nobody said, unemployed, homeless, or

poor

• That is b/c of social stratification• It is the institutional & social processes that define certain

types of occupations & goods as socially desirable

• These social elements are given great value & are governed by strict rules regarding their distribution• IOW, some groups hold the means to attain power &

prestige, and can deny it to others (can be explained by sociological SoTs)

Why Social Stratification & Inequality Occurs• Functionalists say the most qualified hold the most

important positions & rewards them for it (financially). Inequality occurs b/c some jobs are more valued than others.

• Conflict Theorists say inequality exists b/c some ppl are willing to exploit others for personal gain, often through the use of force to achieve their goals.

• Symbolic Interactionist says children are socialized to believe a person’s social class is the result of their effort/talent & successful individuals are hard-working, whereas the unsuccessful are unmotivated and negative

• Which view makes the most sense to you?

Social Status• Regardless of the social structure, indies attempt to

achieve the goals they believe are possible given their talents, education, & skills

• Social status refers to the importance of the position a person holds in society (it can be achieved or ascribed)• Achieved status is a position held based on accomplishments• Ascribed status is a position determined by birth (indy has no

control of it)

• Social Mobility refers to the process of changing status w/in a community• It is more possible in an individualistic society & it is a motivator

• Meritocracy refers to a social system in which positions are given to ppl according to their abilities/worth

Social Inequality• Sociologists study social inequality to explain

differences b/w individuals, groups, and societies• Social inequality is the inability of some ppl/success of

others to attain access to privileges, rewards, or assets of society

• The chart below lists the conditions that create social inequality and lead to discriminationCharacter

isticExplanation

Wealth An individual’s family assets & material possessions that result in social respect & power in society

Occupation The level of prestige that is attached to a profession or job & the possibility of social mobility that job facilitates

Credentials Belonging to influential groups that create positive social opportunities & lead to increased social status

Education The ability to complete a degree that will lead to elite roles & prestige in areas of business & academics

Social Institutions• An institution does not necessarily

mean a building, although schools, hospitals and prisons are apart of sociological institutions

• Social Institution is an organization or social framework whose function is to meet the basic needs of its members by providing direction & operating principles• Goal is to satisfy individual needs & provide

structure for the benefit of all society

• Example: Prison• Is both a physical institution & a social

institution (part of gov’t)• Responsible for maintaining public order

Theoretical Perspectives of Social Institutions• What would a functionalist say about social institutions?• Purpose: to meet the needs of its members• Actuality: essential for social living & they model the

social norms & provide positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviour

• What would a conflict theorists say about social institutions?

• Purpose: meet the needs of its members• Actuality: SI’s are roadblocks preventing marginalized

groups from gaining equal access to resources b/c the wealthy control their operation & access to them

• Speculate, What might a sociological feminist say about SI’s?

Social Institutions:Beliefs, Representatives, & Needs Served

Institution/Beliefs Representatives Needs Served

FamilyRespect, nurturance, support, loyalty, knowledge

Father, mother, siblings, etcNuclear family, extended family, adoptive parents, etc

Socializes childrenReproduction Perpetuates marriageSelf-concept/self-esteem

Religion

Education

Government

Economy

You will complete the above chart w/ a partner(s) after the lesson