Chapter 4 Section 2: Structures of Groups and Societies

What is a group? a set of two or more people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common identity. a set of two or more people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common identity. can be very small or very large can be very small or very large can be very intimate or very formal can be very intimate or very formal

Four requirements for a group There must be two or more people There must be two or more people There must be interaction There must be interaction The members of the group must have shared expectations The members of the group must have shared expectations The members must possess some degree of common identity The members must possess some degree of common identity The last three of the above requirements are the factors that distinguish a group from an aggregate or a social category. The last three of the above requirements are the factors that distinguish a group from an aggregate or a social category.

Three of the most common ways in which groups differ are in terms of: Time Time Organization Organization Size: Size: Dyad: two members, smallest group possible Dyad: two members, smallest group possible Triad: three members Triad: three members Small group: no more than fifteen members Small group: no more than fifteen members

Types of groups Primary: direct and personal Primary: direct and personal Secondary: impersonal and temporary Secondary: impersonal and temporary Reference: with whom you identify with and whose attitudes and values you often adopt Reference: with whom you identify with and whose attitudes and values you often adopt Ingroup: the group you belong to and identify with Ingroup: the group you belong to and identify with Outgroup: any group you do not belong to or identify with Outgroup: any group you do not belong to or identify with

What are your Ingroups & Outgroups? With your group make a list of the “names” given to the various groups that exist within Paulding High School: With your group make a list of the “names” given to the various groups that exist within Paulding High School: Jocks Jocks Preps Preps Band Geeks, Choir Q’s Band Geeks, Choir Q’s Pot Heads, Druggies Pot Heads, Druggies Skaters Skaters Emo Emo Goth Goth Gangster Wunnabes Gangster Wunnabes

Symbols that separate groups: With your group discuss and list the various symbols used to distinguish each of these groups from one another: With your group discuss and list the various symbols used to distinguish each of these groups from one another: Name given Name given Clothing style Clothing style Hair and Make-up Hair and Make-up Jewelry Jewelry Vocabulary used Vocabulary used

An illustration of ingroup/outgroup relations:

Most ingroups exhibit three characteristics Group members tend to separate themselves from other groups through the use of symbols Group members tend to separate themselves from other groups through the use of symbols Members view themselves in terms of positive images, while they view outgroups in negative terms Members view themselves in terms of positive images, while they view outgroups in negative terms Ingroups generally compete with outgroup Ingroups generally compete with outgroup

Social Networks Web of relationships that is formed by the sum total of a person’s interactions with others Web of relationships that is formed by the sum total of a person’s interactions with others Includes both direct and indirect relationships Includes both direct and indirect relationships Do not have clear boundaries Do not have clear boundaries Do not give rise to a common sense of identity Do not give rise to a common sense of identity Provide us with a feeling of community and with opportunities for career and social advancement. Provide us with a feeling of community and with opportunities for career and social advancement.

Types of Societies Most common way sociologists classify societies: Most common way sociologists classify societies: –By their Subsistence Strategy  Simple Complex  Division of Labor increases along the continuum  Used as the basis to classify societies as either Preindustrial, Industrial, or Postindustrial

Preindustrial Societies Hunting and Gathering Hunting and Gathering Pastoral Pastoral Horticultural Horticultural Agricultural Agricultural –Barter replaced by actual money exchange

Industrial Societies Use of machines increases production Use of machines increases production –Can support more people –Reduces the need for farm labor –Increases the industrial work force –Production moves from home to factories  Urbanization –Goal is efficiency… reduces the level of skill –Mandatory education –Religious competition –Status competition

Postindustrial Societies Production of information Production of information Provision of services Provision of services Standard of living increases Standard of living increases Wider range of job opportunities Wider range of job opportunities Increased emphasis on education Increased emphasis on education Future dependent on technological advances Future dependent on technological advances Emphasis on social equality and democracy Emphasis on social equality and democracy

Contrasting Societies Durkheim: Durkheim: –Mechanical solidarity……….preindustrial –Organic solidarity…………….industrial Tonnies: Tonnies: –Gemeinschaft…………………preindustrial –Gesellschaft……………industrial/postindustrial