1. Social structure
Unit 3

2. In our social relationships with others, (in groups, formal organizations, communities, societies) each of us occupies many statuses, or social positions.
1. Each status influences how we treat others & how others behave toward us.
Social Structure

3. Social Structure
As a part of our socialization, within any social organization, we learn our place/status and the relevant places of others
Learn how to behave with boss or with policeman as opposed to younger siblings or parent or friend

4. Status = Position Focus expectations not on person, but on position
Ascribed vs. Achieved Status
Ascribed = given
Some cannot be changed (gender/ethnicity)
Some can be changed (religion, social class, nationality)
Achieved = earned
Some not achievements: drug addicts, dropouts
Achieved in a variety of ways: hard work, lack of planning, bad luck, etc.

5. Table Talk Ascribed or Achieved ?
Categorize the following statuses as either ascribed or achieved with your neighbor:
Mother
Neighbor
Son
Granddaughter
Teacher
Father
Doctor
Engineer
American Indian
Lawyer
Psychologist
Dining room hostess
Baseball player
Student
Eskimo
Football player
Mechanic
Flight Attendant
Gardner

6. Role
The expectations associated with different statuses develop into patterns of behavior called roles.
Certain roles are reciprocal, or largely controlled by the expectations of persons involved in a given relationship.
Because we occupy many different statuses, we play many different roles.
At times those roles conflict, and we must make decisions to alleviate the conflict.

7. TABLE TALK “The perfect student…..”
Finish the sentence above by listing all of the behaviors you can think of that would be associated with the perfect student. When have 10 share with your neighbor.
Be prepared to discuss how these behaviors relate to the expectations related to the role of “perfect student” status.

8. Role conflict
If we meet one set of expectations but fail to meet another set that are important to us:
Types of conflict
Intrasender Conflict- expected to do contradictory things in our role
Example: Parents expect me to be independent, yet they treat me like a child
Intersender conflict- subject to contradictory expectations from different people
Example: boy’s dad may say fight back, while mom says never fight for any reason

9. Types of Conflict
2. Internal conflict: Play roles that are in conflict with one another
Example: Soldier/Christian; Wife/professional
3. Person Role Conflict- Actor does not fit role
Example: too difficult, too boring, too unethical
Role shapes person to degree, sometimes can’t do it and must get out

10. Power of Roles Zimbardo Study 1972
Isolated from rest of world for two weeks
Students take on role of guards and prisoners
After two days, became roles, didn’t take lightly, guards brutalized prisoners

11. Status Roles Give identity
Labels and names make it easier when we meet people, we all know what to do in situations:
What we expect of others
What others expect of us
Example: Hostess takes you to your seat at a restaurant & expect you to follow them
Naming process important, helps us know who we are, gives us identity & a sense of purpose

12. What makes you different from everyone else?
Table talk
What are your roles?
What makes you different from everyone else?

13. Table talk
Does your zodiac sign symbolize the real you?