Social structure Unit 3

In our social relationships with others, (in groups, formal organizations, communities, societies) each of us occupies many statuses, or social positions. 1. Each status influences how we treat others & how others behave toward us. Social Structure

Social Structure As a part of our socialization, within any social organization, we learn our place/status and the relevant places of others Learn how to behave with boss or with policeman as opposed to younger siblings or parent or friend

Status = Position Focus expectations not on person, but on position Ascribed vs. Achieved Status Ascribed = given Some cannot be changed (gender/ethnicity) Some can be changed (religion, social class, nationality) Achieved = earned Some not achievements: drug addicts, dropouts Achieved in a variety of ways: hard work, lack of planning, bad luck, etc.

Table Talk Ascribed or Achieved ? Categorize the following statuses as either ascribed or achieved with your neighbor: Mother Neighbor Son Granddaughter Teacher Father Doctor Engineer American Indian Lawyer Psychologist Dining room hostess Baseball player Student Eskimo Football player Mechanic Flight Attendant Gardner

Role The expectations associated with different statuses develop into patterns of behavior called roles. Certain roles are reciprocal, or largely controlled by the expectations of persons involved in a given relationship. Because we occupy many different statuses, we play many different roles. At times those roles conflict, and we must make decisions to alleviate the conflict.

TABLE TALK “The perfect student…..” Finish the sentence above by listing all of the behaviors you can think of that would be associated with the perfect student. When have 10 share with your neighbor. Be prepared to discuss how these behaviors relate to the expectations related to the role of “perfect student” status.

Role conflict If we meet one set of expectations but fail to meet another set that are important to us: Types of conflict Intrasender Conflict- expected to do contradictory things in our role Example: Parents expect me to be independent, yet they treat me like a child Intersender conflict- subject to contradictory expectations from different people Example: boy’s dad may say fight back, while mom says never fight for any reason

Types of Conflict 2. Internal conflict: Play roles that are in conflict with one another Example: Soldier/Christian; Wife/professional 3. Person Role Conflict- Actor does not fit role Example: too difficult, too boring, too unethical Role shapes person to degree, sometimes can’t do it and must get out

Power of Roles Zimbardo Study 1972 Isolated from rest of world for two weeks Students take on role of guards and prisoners After two days, became roles, didn’t take lightly, guards brutalized prisoners

Status Roles Give identity Labels and names make it easier when we meet people, we all know what to do in situations: What we expect of others What others expect of us Example: Hostess takes you to your seat at a restaurant & expect you to follow them Naming process important, helps us know who we are, gives us identity & a sense of purpose

What makes you different from everyone else? Table talk What are your roles? What makes you different from everyone else?

Table talk Does your zodiac sign symbolize the real you?