Social Structures

Essential Question- How is my social status defined? Social StructureExchange StatusCompetition AscribedConflict AchievedCooperation MasterAccommodation Role/ Reciprocal roles Five types of interaction

Social Structure The framework that surrounds us Consists of the relationships between people and groups Gives direction to and sets limits on behavior Ex. You are hanging out with friends being loud and you are approached buy a nun. How would your behavior change and why?

Social Status Socially defined position in a group or in a society Given most of the time or you are molded Individuals have multiple statuses Types: 1. Ascribed 2. Achieved 3. Master

Ascribed status A status assigned out of your control Inherited or bestowed upon an individual Ex. Gender Economic Class Race/ethnicity Any others?

Achieved status Acquired through direct effort on the part of the individual Require a special skill. Knowledge or ability Ex. Occupations Being a Husband or Wife “sometimes ascribed, if it is arranged” Mostly choose to be married For you- a Straight A student

Master Status Status that ranks above all others Plays the greatest role in a person’s social identity Can and does change as you get older Ex. Mr. Chavez= Cool, Suave Teacher Used to be Coach Chavez Could change if had kids What’s your master status?

Article: What’s your Social Status How is it possible to be low in one but high in another? What are some examples in American society or other societies? Ex. What other professions are seen as high status but have a stigma attached to it like the example of investment bankers? Ex. What groups can we compare Mods to today? Is there such a thing as High School Status? Write down any status you may have that others might not be aware of.

Roles/ Reciprocal Roles Expected behavior of someone occupying a given role. “You occupy a status, but you play a role.” Reciprocal Roles- corresponding roles that define interaction between related statuses Only exist because of each other Ex. Athlete to coach Doctor to patient Jedi Master to Padawan

When Roles Converge Role Conflict- when fulfilling the expectations of one role makes it hard to fulfill another. Ex. Being a good athlete conflicts with being a good student Being a good friend conflicts with being a good significant other Role strain- person has difficulty meeting obligations of a single status Ex. Parents having to be providers, parents, a significant other

Social interaction When you play a role, you generally have to interact with others. “This has changed to include online interaction” but for the most part still involves physical interaction Through these interactions we help stabilize social structure and promote change. Five types of interaction:

Exchange People are motivated by self-interest “basically we are selfish” Interaction that results in a reward for their action= exchange Why are there so many exchanges on a daily bases? Reciprocity!- if you do something for someone, that person owes you. A lot of the reason we do nice things for others. Rewards can be material or non-material Ex. I give you the “hook up” so then “you gotta hook me up” Or maybe you just tell people how nice I am.

Competition When 2 people or more oppose each other to achieve a goal that only one can attain. “IN THE END THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE” Ex. Sports, Speech competitions, GPA Some societies are more competitive than others. Some social groups are also more competitive than others

Conflict Deliberate attempt to control by force, to oppose someone or to do harm to another person. Ex. Wars- U.S has been in constant state of war since its birth Disagreements within groups Legal Disputes Clashes over ideology- Could be religious,

Cooperation When 2 groups or more work together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one person Helps get things done in society

Accommodation The most common thing we do. -Find a state of balance between cooperation and conflict is known as accommodation. -Multiple Forms: -Compromise- Give and Take -Problem- you must have something people want -Truce