Chapter 4 Social Structure

Read to Discover What are the two major components of social structure? How do these two components of social structure affect human interaction? Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure

Question What are the two major components of social structure? Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure

Status—a socially defined position in a group or in a society, which has attached to it one or more roles Role—the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure

StatusExamples of Roles Examples of Conflict / Strain Firefighter Mother P.T.A. President Put out fires, save lives, wear a uniform Voluntarily puts self in danger, but has loved ones who need him or her Fatigue and long shifts make household tasks and interactions difficult Provide food and shelter, nurture family, discipline children Run meetings, recruit new members, plan activities Has trouble getting members to attend and follow through on promises Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure

Question How do these two components of social structure affect human interaction? Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure

People’s particular roles and statuses affect how they relate to one another Statuses are ways of defining where individuals fit in society and how they relate to others Most roles have reciprocal roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses, such as husband and wife or teacher and student Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure

Read to Discover What are the most common types of social interaction? Which types of interactions stabilize social structure and which can disrupt it? Section 2: Types of Social Interaction

Question What are some common types of social interaction, and what are examples of each? Section 2: Types of Social Interaction

Exchange—interacting in an effort to receive a reward or a return for one’s actions Competition—two or more people or groups are in opposition to achieve a goal that only one can attain Conflict—deliberate attempt to control a person by force, to oppose someone, or to harm another person Section 2: Types of Social Interaction

Cooperation—two or more people or groups working together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one of them Accommodation—a state of balance between cooperation and conflict Section 2: Types of Social Interaction

Types of Social Interactions Exchange Competition Conflict Cooperation Accommodation

Question Which types of interactions stabilize social structure and which can disrupt it? Section 2: Types of Social Interaction

Accommodation, Exchange, and Cooperation—stabilize social structure Competition and Conflict—can disrupt social structure Section 2: Types of Social Interaction

Read to Discover What types of societies exist in the world today? What roles do individuals play in these models of group systems? Section 3: Types of Societies

Question What are the three main types of societies and characteristics or examples of each? Section 3: Types of Societies

Preindustrial—food production is the main economic activity; can be subdivided according to the level of technology and the method of producing food Industrial—emphasis shifts from the production of food to the production of manufactured goods, made possible by changes in production methods Postindustrial—much of the economy is involved in providing information and services Section 3: Types of Societies

Preindustrial Industrial Postindustrial Types of Societies Hunting and gathering; pastoral; horticultural; mechanical solidarity Organic solidarity Manufacturing; urbanization; technology Information; provision of services

Question What roles do individuals play in these models of group systems? Section 3: Types of Societies

Roles related to: Leadership Family Work Specialization Trade Section 3: Types of Societies

Read to Discover What are the major features of primary and secondary groups? What purposes do groups fulfill? Section 4: Groups Within Society

Question What are the major features of primary and secondary groups? Section 4: Groups Within Society

Primary Groups Interact over a long period of time on a direct and personal basis Entire self of the individual is taken into account Relationships are intimate and often face-to-face Communication is deep and intense Structure is informal Section 4: Groups Within Society

Secondary Groups Interaction is impersonal and temporary in nature Involve a reaction to only a part of the individual’s self Casual Limited in personal involvement Individual can be replaced easily Section 4: Groups Within Society

Question What are the purposes and functions of groups? Section 4: Groups Within Society

Select leaders — people that influence the attitudes and opinions of others Define boundaries — members can tell who belongs and who does not Set goals, assign tasks, and make decisions Control members’ behavior — if members violate group norms, the group cannot survive long Section 4: Groups Within Society Functions of Groups

GROUP FUNCTIONS Section 4: Groups Within Society Define Boundaries Control Members’ Behavior Set Goals Assign Tasks Select Leaders Make Decisions

Read to Discover How are bureaucracies structured? How effective are bureaucracies? Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations

Question How are bureaucracies structured? Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations

Head of the Bureaucracy (CEO, Superintendent, president, etc.) (subordinates) Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations Department Head/VP (subordinates)

Division of labor Ranking of authority Employment based on formal qualifications Rules and regulations Specific lines of promotion and advancement Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations Weber’s Model

Question How effective are bureaucracies? Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations

Efficient at coordinating large numbers of people, defining tasks and rewards Provide stability Can lose sight of goals, create red tape, and result in oligarchies In some instances, reward incompetence and expand uncontrollably Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations

Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding Main Ideas 1.How can a person’s status differ from his or her role? 2.How does role conflict affect groups and individuals? How can it be resolved? 3.What are the five most common forms of interaction recognized by sociologists? 4.Identify and describe the three broad categories of societies used by sociologists. 5.How do the roles of group members differ between primary and secondary groups? 6.What, according to Max Weber’s model, are the major characteristics of a bureaucracy? 7.What weaknesses influence the effectiveness of bureaucracies?