Social Behavior

What is Social Psychology? Some Definitions Social Psychology: Scientific study of how individuals behave, think, and feel in social situations; how people act in the presence (actual or implied) of others Culture: Ongoing pattern of life that is passed from one generation to another

Social Roles Social Role: Patterns of behavior expected of people in various social positions (e.g. daughter, mother, teacher, President Ascribed Role: Assigned to a person or not under personal control Achieved Role: Attained voluntarily by special effort: Teacher, mayor, President Role Conflict: When two or more roles make conflicting demands on behavior

Status A social position that a person holds Status set All the statuses held at one time Dance partner Boss Friend Harley club member Sports participant Business manager Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Type of Status Ascribed: Involuntary positions Achieved: Voluntary positions Often the two types work together. What we’re ascribed often helps us achieve other statuses. Master status: Has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Status Make a list of 10 statuses in your life. Determine whether they are achieved or ascribed Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

The behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status Role The behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status Role set A number of roles attached to a single status Example: status of mother Disciplinarian Sports authority Dietitian Dr. Mom Pretty mom Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role Conflict and Role Strain Involves two or more statuses Example: Conflict between role expectations of a police officer who catches her own son using drugs at home–mother and police officer Role strain Involves a single status Example: Manager who tries to balance concern for workers with task requirements–office manager Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role Exit Role exit: Becoming an “ex” The process of becoming an “ex” Disengaging from social roles can be very traumatic without proper preparation. The process of becoming an “ex” Doubts form about ability to continue with a certain role. Examination of new roles leads to a turning point at which time one decides to pursue a new direction. Learning new expectations associated with new role. Past role might influence new self. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Figure 6.1 Status Set and Role Sets A status set includes all the statuses a person holds at a given time. The status set defines “who we are” in society. The many roles linked to each status define “what we do.” Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Roles Give one example of role conflict and one example of role strain in your own life. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Groups Group Structure: Network of roles, communication, pathways, and power in a group Group Cohesiveness: Degree of attraction among group members or their commitment to remaining in the group Cohesive groups work better together Status: Level of social power and importance Norm: Accepted, but usually unspoken, standard of appropriate behavior

More on Groups In-Group: Group with which an individual identifies Out-Group: Group with which an individual doesn’t identify