Groups & Organizations

Part 1: Social Structure

DEFINITION: socially defined position within a group or societyDEFINITION: socially defined position within a group or society Status Set:Status Set: Refers to EVERY status that an individual holds at any given point in timeRefers to EVERY status that an individual holds at any given point in time Social Structure: Status

Ascribed v. Achieved Status Ascribed Status:Ascribed Status: A status assigned according to standards that are beyond a person’s controlA status assigned according to standards that are beyond a person’s control Achieved Status:Achieved Status: A status acquired by an individual on the basis of some special skill, knowledge or abilityA status acquired by an individual on the basis of some special skill, knowledge or ability

Ascribed v. Achieved Status?

DEFINITION: a social position that holds exceptional importance for identity, often shaping a person’s entire lifeDEFINITION: a social position that holds exceptional importance for identity, often shaping a person’s entire life What is your master status right now?What is your master status right now? Master Status

Social Structure: Role DEFINITION: the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular statusDEFINITION: the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status The dynamic expression of statusThe dynamic expression of status Role Conflict:Role Conflict: The incompatibility among roles corresponding to two or more statusesThe incompatibility among roles corresponding to two or more statuses

Part 2: Social Groups

Social GroupSocial Group Social CategorySocial Category Social AggregateSocial Aggregate Types of Social Gatherings

Social Group: collection of people who interact, share similar characteristics and have a sense of unitySocial Group: collection of people who interact, share similar characteristics and have a sense of unity Social Category: collection of people who do not interact, but who share similar characteristicsSocial Category: collection of people who do not interact, but who share similar characteristics Social Aggregate: at any given time, a collection of people who are together but who interact very littleSocial Aggregate: at any given time, a collection of people who are together but who interact very little Types of Social Gatherings

Primary & Secondary Groups Primary Group:Primary Group: Small social group whose members share personal & enduring relationshipsSmall social group whose members share personal & enduring relationships Secondary Group:Secondary Group: Large & impersonal social group whose members pursue a specific interest or activityLarge & impersonal social group whose members pursue a specific interest or activity

Social Networks Social Network:Social Network: The web of relationships that is formed by the sum total of a person’s interactions with other peopleThe web of relationships that is formed by the sum total of a person’s interactions with other people Includes direct & indirect relationshipsIncludes direct & indirect relationships

Six Degrees of Separation? Experiment by Stanley Milgram in 1967Experiment by Stanley Milgram in 1967 Study has been questioned, but theory is interesting…randomly select 2 people in different parts of country and see how many connections would it take to link themStudy has been questioned, but theory is interesting…randomly select 2 people in different parts of country and see how many connections would it take to link them 2011 Facebook study – average number of links 4.74 (less in US – 4.37)2011 Facebook study – average number of links 4.74 (less in US – 4.37)

Part 3: Group Dynamics

Dyad: Group of 2Dyad: Group of 2 Most intimateMost intimate Each member has direct control over group existenceEach member has direct control over group existence Triad: Group of 3Triad: Group of 3 No one person can disband groupNo one person can disband group Easier decision-makingEasier decision-making Size Matters!

What is happens to groups as they get larger?What is happens to groups as they get larger? Size Matters!

Characteristics of In-Groups:Characteristics of In-Groups: Titles, external symbols & dressTitles, external symbols & dress Competition with members of the out-group; strengthens unity within each groupCompetition with members of the out-group; strengthens unity within each group Apply positive stereotypes to the in-group; negative stereotypes to the out-groupApply positive stereotypes to the in-group; negative stereotypes to the out-group In-Groups v. Out-Groups

Conformity:Conformity: a change in beliefs or actions that results in adherence to group normsa change in beliefs or actions that results in adherence to group norms How susceptible are individuals to group pressure?How susceptible are individuals to group pressure? Conformity within Groups

Pressure to Conform:Pressure to Conform: Strength of social pressureStrength of social pressure Immediacy of social pressureImmediacy of social pressure Number of people involved in the source of social pressureNumber of people involved in the source of social pressure

Conformity within Groups Asch Experiment: MkcfJAAsch Experiment: MkcfJA MkcfJA MkcfJA WYFFT Elevator Clip:WYFFT Elevator Clip: /video/fall-elevator http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo /video/fall-elevator http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo /video/fall-elevator http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo /video/fall-elevator

Compliance: a change in behavior prompted by a direct request rather than social norms; obedienceCompliance: a change in behavior prompted by a direct request rather than social norms; obedience 6 Primary Factors:6 Primary Factors: Friendship, commitment, scarcity, reciprocity, social validation, authority…Friendship, commitment, scarcity, reciprocity, social validation, authority… Compliance in Groups

Milgram Experiment:Milgram Experiment: P9HRy7Yhttp:// P9HRy7Yhttp:// P9HRy7Yhttp:// P9HRy7Y

Expressive Leaders:Expressive Leaders: Affiliation motivatedAffiliation motivated Cooperative style of managementCooperative style of management Instrumental Leaders:Instrumental Leaders: Achievement motivatedAchievement motivated Directive style of managementDirective style of management Group Leadership

Part 4: Performance in Groups

Group Behavior Group-Think:Group-Think: When members of a cohesive group endorse a single explanation or answer, usually at the expense of ignoring realityWhen members of a cohesive group endorse a single explanation or answer, usually at the expense of ignoring reality No toleration of dissenting opinionsNo toleration of dissenting opinions

Group Behavior Group-Think happens when there is:Group-Think happens when there is: A strong, persuasive group leaderA strong, persuasive group leader A high level of group cohesionA high level of group cohesion Intense pressure from the outside to make a good decisionIntense pressure from the outside to make a good decision

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Social Loafing:Social Loafing: The tendency to work less when responsibility for an outcome is spread throughout several members of a groupThe tendency to work less when responsibility for an outcome is spread throughout several members of a group Loafing & Compensation

Social Compensation:Social Compensation: The tendency to work harder when one is part of a group, rather than when he or she is aloneThe tendency to work harder when one is part of a group, rather than when he or she is alone

Pro-social Behavior DEFINITION: acting to benefit othersDEFINITION: acting to benefit others More likely to help if:More likely to help if: Have a high need for approvalHave a high need for approval Personal and social responsibilityPersonal and social responsibility Sense of empathySense of empathy

Pro-social Behavior More likely to be helped by others if:More likely to be helped by others if: Perceived as a potential leaderPerceived as a potential leader Not responsible for predicamentNot responsible for predicament Member of helper’s groupMember of helper’s group Bystander Effect:Bystander Effect: The more people present, the less likely each individual is to help someone in distressThe more people present, the less likely each individual is to help someone in distress

Part 5: Formal Organizations

Utilitarian Organizations:Utilitarian Organizations: An organization that provides material benefits in exchange for laborAn organization that provides material benefits in exchange for labor Formal Organizations

Normative Organizations:Normative Organizations: An organization that pursues what they believe to be a morally worthwhile goalAn organization that pursues what they believe to be a morally worthwhile goal Formal Organizations

Coercive Organizations:Coercive Organizations: An organization that serves as a form of punishment & treatmentAn organization that serves as a form of punishment & treatment Formal Organizations