CHAPTER 6 The Sociorelational Context

The sociorelational context refers to how group memberships affect communication.

Membership groups Involuntary membership groups Voluntary membership groups Nonmembership groups

Ingroup—a group whose norms, aspirations, and values shape the behavior of its members. Out-group—a group whose attributes are dissimilar from those of the in- group, or that opposes the accomplishment of the in-group’s goals.

Typically, voluntary membership in- groups serve as positive reference groups … …and voluntary nonmembership out-groups are seen as negative reference groups. A group to which we may or may not belong but with which we identify in some important way comparative function normative function A group to which we may or may not belong but with which we identify in some important way comparative function normative function

Formal roles: well- defined behavioral expectations  Explicit  Violations can lead to removal from role. Formal roles: well- defined behavioral expectations  Explicit  Violations can lead to removal from role. Informal roles: expectations vary greatly  Implicit.  Learn from experience. Informal roles: expectations vary greatly  Implicit.  Learn from experience. One’s relative position in a group with an expected set of verbal and nonverbal behaviors.

Roles and Communication Roles prescribe (1) with whom (2) about what, and (3) how to communicate with others. Roles prescribe (1) with whom (2) about what, and (3) how to communicate with others. Social identity Dimensions upon which roles vary the degree of personalness, formality, hierarchy, and deviation from the ideal role enactment Dimensions upon which roles vary the degree of personalness, formality, hierarchy, and deviation from the ideal role enactment

Role Differentiation and Stratification Social Stratification The rank ordering of roles within a culture Varies across cultures Role differentiation The complexity of role hierarchy varies by culture Some cultures make relatively few distinctions, whereas others make many Differences in cultures with high/low context high/low power distance

Family Groups The socialization influence on the child Patriarchy and matriarchy

Sex and Gender Sex is biological; gender is socialized and constructedMore masculine cultures: Japan Ireland USA More feminine cultures: South Korea Finland Sweden

Japan Japanese Constitution stipulates all are equal Younger Japanese have more egalitarian attitudes toward sex roles Older Japanese have more traditional attitudes toward sex roles Japanese women continue to sacrifice personal goals for harmony of family, in accordance with collectivism

India Preamble of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality Male children seen as a blessing Continue family name Economic asset Female children seen as a burden Dowry Less education

China 1950 Marriage Law abolished feudal forms of marriage. Women have little freedom and few rights. Women discouraged from living alone. Women are considered more vulnerable and less capable of dealing with the outside world than are men.

Mexico More Mexican women than men are divorced, possibly because Mexican men tend to emigrate once they divorce Today, Mexican women are more educated than ever. Nearly 93% of women age 12 years and older do domestic work During the past few years, the roles of men as providers and women as in charge of domestic work have changed noticeably

Israel Women have been guaranteed equal rights since Israel’s establishment as a state in Segregation still occurs Certain fundamental religious groups reject such rights Israel is the only country in the world with a compulsory military service requirement for women.