Social Groups and Formal Organizations Michael Itagaki Sociology 101

Social Groups Groups Non-groups People who share something in common Aggregate Category

Social Groups Primary Groups Secondary Groups Intimate face-to-face interaction Help form ideals of individuals Secondary Groups Larger, more formal More anonymous, less personal

Social Groups Iron Law of Oligarchy Voluntary associations Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts Churches, VFW, AA Leadership forms from within

Social Groups In-Groups Loyalty Out-Groups Antagonism

Social Groups In-Groups Out-Groups Can shape our identity Stereotypes/rivalries Favoritism, biases De-humanizing

Social Groups Reference Groups Social Networks Standards to evaluate ourselves Social Networks The links between our cliques, clusters, groups of friends 500 to 2,500 acquaintances Not as beneficial for people of color, poor, and women

Social Groups Electronic Groups Class discussion Which ones are you a part of? How frequent is your contact? What are advantages/disadvantages? Is this a new way to connect? Or is it a barrier

Social Groups Electronic Groups Class discussion— Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages: Convenience Communicate w/those far away Gather new information Free of charge; ideas w/o emotions Quiet/anonymous/secretive

Social Groups Electronic Groups Class discussion— Advantages/Disadvantages Disadvantages: Security issues (I.D. theft) Lies/deceit/fraud Miscommunication, words get twisted Makes us lazy/obese? & less sociable Negatively impacts some businesses

Social Groups Electronic Groups Class discussion—Is this a new way to connect? Or is it a barrier Connect: Stay connected w/people, eliminate geographical barriers Opens up people who are shy Can learn depth of real person, personality Connect to real world: Travel info/Paris

Social Groups Electronic Groups Class discussion—Is this a new way to connect? Or is it a barrier Barrier: Can’t build deeper relationships Can meet dangerous people Impairs growth, overcoming shyness Can paralyze us, spend hrs. myspace Danger of access of information Barrier to real world/no need to go outside

Bureaucracy Clear levels of assignments, flowing downward w/accountability flowing upward Division of Labor Written Rules Written Communication and Records Impersonality

Peer Pressure and Authority Review of “Power of the Situation” video Leadership styles: Authoritarian Democratic Laissez-faire

Peer Pressure and Authority Review of Asch and Milgram experiments Asch and Lines Milgram & Shocks How would you have reacted?

Peer Pressure and Authority Review of Asch and Milgram experiments How would you have reacted?

Groupthink Milgram and power of authority Tunnel vision, where group members think alike Only one “correct” viewpoint Disagreement, alternative explanations are signs of disloyalty Common in military/political decisions