Social Structure & Society Chapter 5 Social Structure & Society
Social Structure Knowledge as to how people will react in situations Predict actions of people Predictions and knowledge comes from patterns Patterns of relationships in a group = social structure
Status Status = a position which a person occupies in a social structure Looks at relationships, place within a group, level achieved, etc. There are two types of status: Ascribed Achieved
Ascribed Status Status that is assigned to us; we have no control over the choice Examples: Age Gender Brother or sister Social class (possibly)
Achieved Status Status that is earned or chosen Examples: Occupation Education level Parent Spouse Fan
Status Set A person has occupies more than one status at the same time. All the statuses that a person has is called a status set. Example: Woman, mother, wife, CEO, Bears fan, holder of a masters degree, sister, etc.
Status Set What is the status set of this person:
Master Status A status that strongly affects the other portions of a person’s life. Example of achieved master status: your job determines where you live, your lifestyle, etc. Example of ascribed master status: your age influences privileges, occupation, work opportunities, education, etc.