1. Social Structure, Social Groups, and Social Organizations
CHAPTER FIVE
Social Structure, Social Groups, and Social Organizations
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

2. Components of Social Structure
The terms, status and role, are central to understanding social structure
A status is a socially defined position someone occupies
Status Set, Ascribed Status, Achieved Status, Master Status
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

3. Components of Social Structure (continued)
A role consists of the social expectations or behaviors associated with a particular status
Role Sets
Prescribed Role, Role Perception, Role Performance
Role Ambiguity, Role Strain, Role Conflict
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

4. Types of Social Interaction
Generally, humans interact with intention
The five types of intentional social interaction are as follows:
Exchange
Cooperation
Competition
Conflict
Coercion
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

5. Types of Social Groups
A group can be enormous, consisting of millions of people, or as small as two people
In sociology, there are many types of groups:
Non-social – In- and out-
Limited social – Peer
Social – Reference
Primary and secondary
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

6. Non-Social Groups
Non-social groups are divided into statistical groups and categorical groups
Statistical groups are formed by sociologists and statisticians, not by the group members
For example, 10% of males in the U.S. between ages 16 and 24 have not graduated from high school
Categorical groups exist when a number of people share a common characteristic
For example, Hispanic Americans are U.S. citizens with ties to either Latin America or Spain
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

7. Limited Social Groups
Limited social groups interact minimally and members are more or less unconcerned with the feelings and attitudes of other members
Limited social groups are divided into aggregate groups and associational groups
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

8. Limited Social Groups (continued)
Aggregate groups consist people who are together in one place but socialize very little
For example, people riding on a bus together
Associational groups consist of people who join a large organization but rarely socialize
For example, members of the Sierra Club
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

9. Social Groups Membership in a social group involves
Some type of interaction
A sense of belonging
An organizational structure
The difference between a social group and an associational group is a matter of degree
e.g., although the Sierra Club is an associational group, local chapters of the club are social groups
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

10. Primary & Secondary Groups
Primary groups refers to small, informal groups of people who interact in a personal, direct, and intimate way
Your family close friends, and some neighbors are likely to be members of your primary group
Secondary groups refers to small or large formal groups of people who interact in a reserved, detached, and purposeful way
e.g., committees, sports teams, college classes
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

11. In-Groups and Out-Groups
In-groups consist of all the groups someone is a member of and feels a heightened sense of belonging and loyalty to
Can be small or large, but a strong sense of belonging and loyalty is what sets them apart
Out-groups consist of all the groups that someone is not a member of and feels little to no sense of belonging or loyalty to
Usually, we treat members of out-groups with indifference, but sometimes the interests of in- and out-groups clash
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

12. Peer Groups
Peer groups are informal primary groups whose member have similar statuses and ages
The unique factor in peer groups is inequality
That is, in peer groups, members are roughly equal in importance
While peer groups are usually associated with young people, they are found in all age groups
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

13. Reference Groups
Reference groups are the groups we identify with psychologically and serve as the basis for self-evaluation
People need not belong to a group for it to be a reference group
For example, groups we aspire to belong to are reference groups
Groups we do not wish to join are also reference groups
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

14. Relative Deprivation
The concept of “reference group” underlies “relative deprivation.”
The feeling of being deprived of something “relative” to one’s expectations.
Often a result of comparison to a reference group.
Examples???
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

15. Group Size Dyads have two people; triads have three
Five major outcomes result from group size
Size has a dramatic effect on member interactions
As size increases, so does the division of labor
As size increases, so does the need for formal leadership
As size increases, communication patterns change
As size increases, cohesion decreases
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

16. The Two Types of Small Group Leaders
Instrumental Leaders
Organize the group around its goals by suggesting ways to achieve them and persuading the members to act appropriately
Expressive Leaders
Resolve conflicts, create group harmony, and encourage social cohesion
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

17. Social Networks
Social networks consist of the linkages or ties a person has to a set of relationships
Strong Ties
Strong ties are characterized by close interpersonal relations and are sustained by frequent calls, visits, s, etc.
Weak Ties
Weak ties are characterized by impersonal relations where people have occasional contact
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

18. Formal Organizations
A formal organization is a large social group deliberately constructed and organized to achieve some specific and clearly stated goals
Formal organizations create levels or authority and channels of command that clarify who gives orders, who obeys orders, and who does what type of work in the organization
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

19. Formal Organizations (continued)
Sometimes the goals of different formal organizations can conflict
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

20. Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is a formal organization that directs and coordinates the efforts of the people involved in various organizational tasks
The classical work on bureaucracy was written by Max Weber (1864–1920)
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

21. Bureaucracy (continued)
According to Weber, bureaucracies have six major characteristics
Division of Labor and Specialization
Hierarchy of Authority
Impersonality
Qualifications
Career Pattern
Written Rules
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

22. Dysfunctions of Bureaucracy
Sociologists have identified three major dysfunctions of bureaucracies:
Trained Incapacity: a situation where workers in bureaucracies robotically follow rules and regulations
Credentialism: the practice of basing hiring and promotions on rigid sets of formal qualifications
The Runaround: a situation where a problem cannot be solved because it does not fit neatly into one of the divisions of the bureaucracy
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

23. Voluntary Associations
People join voluntary associations out of personal interest
In voluntary associations, people enjoy socially interacting with other members because of their common focus of attention and shared goals
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

24. Voluntary Associations (continued)
People who earn similar amounts of money tend to join the same voluntary associations
Wealthy middle-aged people join voluntary associations the most
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing