1. Essentials of Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach
TWELFTH EDITION
Chapter 4
Social Structure and Social Interaction

2. Learning Objectives (1 of 2)
4.1 Distinguish between macrosociology and microsociology 4.2 Explain the significance of social structure and its components: culture, social class, social status, roles, groups, and social institutions; compare the functionalist and conflict perspectives on social structure; and explain what holds society together

3. Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
4.3 Discuss what symbolic interactionists study and explain dramaturgy, ethnomethology, and the social construction of reality 4.4 Explain why we need both macrosociology and microsociology to understand social life

4. LO 4.1 Levels of Sociological Analysis (1 of 2)
Macrosociology
Broad features of society
Microsociology
Social interactions

5. LO 4.1 Levels of Sociological Analysis (2 of 2)
Sociologists use both macro and micro levels of analysis to study social life. Those who use macrosociology to analyze the homeless (or any human behavior) focus on broad aspects of society, such as the economy and social classes. Sociologists who use the microsociological approach analyze how people interact with one another. This photo illustrates social structure (the disparities between power and powerlessness are amply evident). It also illustrates the micro level (the isolation of this man).

6. LO 4.2 The Macrosociological Perspective: Social Structure (1 of 2)
The Sociological Significance of Social Structure
Culture
Social Class
Social Status
Roles
Groups

7. LO 4.2 The Macrosociological Perspective: Social Structure (2 of 2)
Social Institutions
Comparing Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives
Changes in Social Structure
What Holds Society Together?

8. LO 4.2—The Sociological Significance of Social Structure
Guides our behavior

9. LO 4.2—Culture
Our shared culture makes us similar to one another and makes other people seem “different”

10. LO 4.2—Social Class (1 of 2)
Based on income, education, and occupational prestige
Interests shared among people of same social class

11. LO 4.2—Social Class (2 of 2)
Social class and social status are significant factors in social life. Fundamental to what we become, they affect our orientations to life. Can you see how this photo illustrates this point?

12. LO 4.2—Social Status (1 of 2) Status Status Sets
Position one occupies
Provides guidelines for how to act and feel
Status Sets
Ascribed and Achieved Statuses
Status Symbols
Status Inconsistency

13. Figure 4.1 Team Positions (Statuses) in Football
It is helpful for complex images (i.e., charts and graphs) to have descriptive text near the image (perhaps as a caption or in the Notes field). They would still require alt text.
Source: By the author.

14. LO 4.2—Social Status (2 of 2)
Master statuses are those that overshadow our other statuses. Shown here is Stephen Hawking, who is severely disabled by Lou Gehrig’s disease. For some, his master status is that of a person with disabilities. Because Hawking is one of the greatest physicists who has ever lived, however, his outstanding achievements have given him another master status, that of a world-class physicist in the ranking of Einstein.

15. LO 4.2—Roles
Roles
Behaviors, Obligations, and Privileges Attached to a Status

16. LO 4.2—Groups
Group
People who Interact and Share Values and Interests

17. LO 4.2—Social Institutions
Standard or Usual Ways a Society Meets its Needs

18. LO 4.2—Comparing Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives (1 of 3)
Functionalists
Replacing Members
Socializing New Members
Producing and Distributing Goods and Services
Preserving Order
Providing a Sense of Purpose

19. LO 4.2—Comparing Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives (2 of 3)
Conflict Theorists
Small Group holds Majority of Wealth
Preserve the Status Quo

20. Figure 4.2 Social Institutions in Industrial and Postindustrial Societies
It is helpful for complex images (i.e., charts and graphs) to have descriptive text near the image (perhaps as a caption or in the Notes field). They would still require alt text.
Source: By the author.

21. LO 4.2—Comparing Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives (3 of 3)
Functionalist theorists have identified functional requisites for the survival of society. One, providing a sense of purpose, is often met through religious groups. To most people, snake handling, as in this church service in Kingston, Georgia, is nonsensical. From a functional perspective, however, it makes a great deal of sense. Can you identify its sociological meanings?

22. LO 4.2—Changes in Social Structure
Social Structure is Not Static

23. LO 4.2—What Holds Society Together? (1 of 3)
Mechanical and Organic Solidarity
Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft
Relevant today?

24. LO 4.2—What Holds Society Together? (2 of 3)
Durkheim used the term mechanical solidarity to refer to the shared consciousness that develops among people who perform similar tasks. Can you see from this photo why this term applies so well to small farming groups, why they share such similar views about life? This photo was taken in Virginia.

25. LO 4.2—What Holds Society Together? (3 of 3)
The warm, more intimate relationships of Gemeinschaft society are apparent in the photo taken at this weekly market in Myanmar. The more impersonal relationships of Gesellschaft society are evident in this Internet cafe in Seattle, where customers are ignoring one another.