Module 16: Social Interaction and Social Structure Sociology in Modules Richard T. Schaefer 3rd edition

Social structure and Interaction

What is social structure? Criminal justice system Most criminal justice systems have five components Law enforcement Prosecution Defense attorneys Courts Corrections Each playing a key role in the criminal justice process. Example -Law enforcement officers take reports for crimes that happen in their areas.

What is social structure? A social structure consists of institutions, rules and practices. A social structure is socially embodied in the actions, thoughts, beliefs, and durable dispositions of individual human beings. A social structure is effective in organizing behavior of large numbers of actors.

Social structure, Interaction and reality Social structure makes interaction possible, however according to Herbert Blumer, human beings do not simply react to each others actions, but “define the situation.

How social reality is constructed Social Interaction and Reality: reality is shaped by perceptions, evaluations, and definitions Nature of social interaction and what constitutes reality varies across cultures – what is ideal relationship (marriage) Romantic relationship? Social status?

Ability to define social reality reflects group’s power within a society It reflects norms and values of the dominant culture and.. Secularization experiences within that culture Consider – when you are stopped by police – what are the norms? Important aspect of the process of social change involves redefining or reconstructing social reality

The Thomas theorem “Definition of situation” – when you define a situation as real, it is real in consequence Example – Civil Rights Movement involved changing the definition of situation. Protest – changing the definition of situation

Elements of Social Structure All social interaction takes place within a social structure, which can be broken down into five elements: Statuses Social roles Groups Social networks Social institutions

Statuses Status: any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society - Person can hold more than one at same time

Statuses Ascribed and Achieved Status Ascribed status: status one is born with Racial background Gender Age Although biological, each culture attaches meaning to these statuses Example – Indian caste system American race relations

Ascribed status - Age We cant’ change ascribed status, but change to traditional constrains associated with it Example – Gray Panthers (1971) 1 October 2016 – The United Nations is marking the International Day of Older Persons by encouraging countries to draw attention to and challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing, and to enable older persons to realize their potential to build a life of dignity and human rights. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55182#.V_44LiTMJaY

Achieved status: status one earns

Statuses Master Status Status that dominates other statuses and determines a person’s general position in society In U.S., ascribed statuses of race and gender can function as master statuses In India, caste can function as master status

Influence of master status on interaction

Social Roles What Are Social Roles? Social role: set of expectations for people who occupy a given status Example – role of a student Functionalism – Roles are significant components of social suture Social stability – members can anticipate behavior of others based on their role. Dysfunction of role?

Role Conflict Role strain When incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by same person Example – Friend? Or supervisor? Conflict between ascribed and achieved roles – Male Nurse Role strain Difficulties that arise when same social position imposes conflicting demands and expectations Example – Navajo Nations Officers – “peacemaking” as alternate form of justice

Social Roles Role Exit Process of disengagement from a role that is central to one’s identity to establish a new role Ebaugh’s four stages: 185 respondents who disengaged from a role “divorced”, “ex-nuns” “retirees” Doubt Search for alternatives Action or departure stage Creation of a new identity

Groups Group: any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact on a regular basis Baseball team People belonging to a church Will residents of suburb (Katy) be a group? Vital part of society’s social structure – because much of social interaction takes place in a group 21

Groups and expectations associated with roles

Social Networks Social network: series of social relationships that links a person directly to others, and through them indirectly to still more people Example – Facebook Social networks one of five basic elements of social structure Research indicates that in person and online not everyone participates equally in social networks

Social networks: face-to-face and electronic

Influence of social networks Heart Health Study (sample over 12,000) Longitudinal analysis showed that weight gain in one person is often associated with weight gain in his/her friends, siblings, spouse and neighbors.

Social Institutions

Replacing personnel Functions of social institutions: Groups can become smaller when members leave, die or become incapacitated Example – The “Shakers” who came to US in 1774 – it failed to replace its members Means of maintaining group membership – annexation, immigration, acquisition of slaves

Teaching new recruits Groups and societies must make sure that its members know the norms and values and accept them. Example – Sunday schools Preserving order -This function is critical to sustain the group.

Producing and distributing goods and services Any relatively permanent group should provide desired goods and services to its members. Example – Church Providing and maintaining a sense of purpose -The group need to motivate its members to be part of the group - Patriotism, tribal identities, religious rituals

Module 18: Understanding Groups Sociology in Modules Richard T. Schaefer 3rd edition

Understanding Groups A group is any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations Examples – College sorority or fraternity Dance company Tenants association Share a sense of belonging – key feature

Groups combine formal and informal elements College singing group Same goals based on norms and values Informal structure – how they meet for practice Formal – chose a leader

Types of Groups Primary and Secondary Groups Primary group: small group with intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation Secondary group: formal, impersonal groups with little social intimacy or mutual understanding

Table 18-1: Comparison of Primary and Secondary Groups 34

Charles Horton Cooley Why primary groups are important Socialization process Development of roles and statuses

Types of Groups In-Groups and Out-Groups In-groups: any groups or categories to which people feel they belong Everyone who is regarded as “we” or “us” 36

Types of Groups Reference Groups Reference group: any group that individuals use as standard for evaluating their own behavior 37

Types of Groups Reference group may help the process of anticipatory socialization Reading “Wall street Journal” - finance student Set and enforce standards of conduct and belief; also perform a comparison function Example – an actor will evaluate himself/herself against other actors Often two or more reference groups influence us at the same time

Types of Groups Coalitions As the group grows larger, a coalition begins to form Temporary or permanent alliances geared toward common goal Some intentionally short-lived Example: Survivor 39