1. Dr. Christopher C. A. BSc., PGCE, MSCP, PhD
SOC 112 INTRO. TO SOCIOLOGY
Unit 4:
Social Structure
Dr. Christopher C. A.
BSc., PGCE, MSCP, PhD

2. Learning Objectives Students will be able to:-
1.Explain the meaning of social structure.
2.Rate the importance of social structure based on their impacts to the society.
3.Create organizational structure in the workplace in view of the knowledge gained from social structure.
4. Apply the elements of social structure to their intended professions.

3. Social Structure Meaning/Definition of Social Structure
Social Structure refers to the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships.
Example: Social structure of Zimbardo’s mock prison

4. Importance of Social Structure
Importance of Social Structure lies in the fact that
it enhances:-
Social Interaction
Healthy Relationships
Human Health
Education/Enlightenment
Production & Distribution of goods & services
Other Human Activities

5. 5 Elements of Social Structure
Social Status – A term used by sociologists to refer to any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society (e.g. president, son, male, husband, friend, father,…)
2 MAIN CATEGORIES OF SOCIAL STATUS:-
Ascribed Status (gender, age, race, family background, kinship, region, class, caste, religion)
Achieved Status (occupation, marital, political, educational, parental…)

6. - Technical Terms about Social Roles:-
Status Set
Continuous Status
Master Status – A status that dominates others & thereby determines a person’s general position in society (a known footballer – died of AIDS)
Rank
Status Inconsistency
Symbol

7. 2. Social Roles
A Social Role is a set of expectations for people who occupy a given social position or status (e.g. taxi drivers, receptionists, police officers, etc)
- Technical Terms about Social Roles:-
Role Set
Ideal Role
Perceived Role
Actual Role

8. Challenges To Social Roles
Role Conflict – when incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by the same person
Role Strain – difficulty that arises when the same social position imposes conflicting demands & expectations
Role Exit – process of disengagement from a role that is central to one’s self-identity in order to establish a new role and identity (role impairment)

9. 3. Social Groups
A Group is any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis (classmates, sports team, co-workers, etc)
[Reflection]
Video clip: Social Systems Theory

10. 2 Major Categories of Social Group
(A) Primary Group – face to face, intimate, total, long period of interaction, as a person, etc.
(B) Secondary Group – impersonal, playing a role, segmental
2 Subtypes of Secondary Group
Formal Organization
Voluntary Associations

11. 4. Social Networks Social Network
A series of social relationships that links a person
directly to others, and through them indirectly to still
more people (sharing job information, exchanging
news & gossip, sharing sex, etc.)

12. 5. Social Institutions
Social Institution is an organized pattern of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs, such as replacing personnel (the family) and preserving order (government)
- Social institutions give sociologists insight into social structure

13. Examples of Social Institutions
Family Institution
Economic Institution
Political Institution (Government)
Religious Institution
Educational Institution
Mass Media
Health Care System

14. Thank You !