1. CHAPTER 4 Social Structure
Sociology
4/23/2017
CHAPTER 4 Social Structure
Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure
Section 2: Types of Social Interaction
Section 3: Types of Societies
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations
Chapter 4

2. Objectives: Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure
Identify and describe the two major components of social structure.
Analyze how these two components of social structure affect human interaction.

3. Major Components of Social Structure
Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure
Major Components of Social Structure
Status
Role

4. Roles, Status, and Human Interaction
Section 1: Building Blocks of Social Structure
Roles, Status, and Human Interaction
People’s particular roles and statuses affect how they relate to one another.

5. Key terms
Social Structure – Network of interrelated statuses and roles that guides human interactions.
Status – Socially defined positions in a group in a society.
Role – Behavior – the rights and obligations – expected of someone occupying a particular status.
Ascribed Status – Status assigned according to standards that are beyond a person’s control. Age, sex, family history and race are examples.

6. Key Terms
(continued)
Achieved Status – Status acquired by an individual on the basis of some special skill, knowledge, or ability.
Master Status – Status that plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his or her social identity.
Reciprocal Roles – Corresponding roles that define the patterns of interactions between related statuses.
Role Expectations – Socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role.

7. Key Terms
(continued)
Role Performance – Actual behavior of a person performing a role.
Role Set – different roles attached to a single status.
Role Conflict- Situation that occurs when fulfilling the expectation of one role makes it difficult to fulfill the expectations of another role.
Role Strain – Situation that occurs when a person has difficulty meeting the expectations of a single role.

8. Examples of Conflict / Strain
Status
Examples of Roles
Examples of Conflict / Strain
putting out fires, saving lives, wearing a uniform
voluntarily puts self in danger but has loved ones who need him or her
fire fighter
mother
providing food and shelter, nurturing family, disciplining children
work fatigue and long shifts make household tasks and interactions difficult
P.T.A. president
running meetings, recruiting new members, planning activities
has trouble getting members to attend and follow through on promises

9. Objectives: Section 2: Types of Social Interaction
Identify the most common types of social interaction.
Distinguish between types of interactions that stabilize social structure and those that can disrupt it.

10. Common Types of Social Interaction
Section 2: Types of Social Interaction
Common Types of Social Interaction
Exchange – interacting in an effort to receive a reward or a return for one’s actions
Competition – two or more people or groups in opposition to achieve a goal that only one can attain
Conflict – the deliberate attempt to control a person by force, to oppose someone else, or to harm another person

11. Common Types of Social Interaction
Section 2: Types of Social Interaction
Common Types of Social Interaction
(continued)
Cooperation – two or more people or groups working together to achieve a goal that will benefit more than one of them
Accommodation – a state of balance between cooperation and conflict

12. Social Institution – System of statuses, roles, values, and norms that is organized to satisfy one or more of the basic needs of society.
Exchange Theory – Theory that holds that people are motivated by self-interests in their interactions
Reciprocity – Idea that if you do something for someone, they owe you something in return.
Georg Simmel – Sociologist – Identified four sources of conflict.
A. War B. Disagreement with in groups C. Legal Disputes D. Clashes over Ideology

13. Interactions That Stabilize and Disrupt
Section 2: Types of Social Interaction
Interactions That Stabilize and Disrupt
Competition and Conflict – disrupt social stability
Accommodation, Exchange, and Cooperation stabilize social stability

14. Types of Social Interactions
Exchange
Competition
Track Relay Team encompasses all 5 types of social interactions
Types of Social Interactions
Conflict
Cooperation
Accommodation

15. Objectives: Section 3: Types of Societies
Identify and describe the types of societies that exist in the world today.
Explain the roles individuals play in these models of group systems.

16. Section 3: Types of Societies
Role Behavior often takes place in groups, and Sociologist often classify these groups/societies according to Subsistence Strategies
Group – Set of two or more people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common identity.
Subsistence Strategies – Ways in which a society uses technology to provide for the needs of its members.

17. Types of Societies Section 3: Types of Societies
Preindustrial – food production is the main economic activity and can be subdivided according to the level of technology and the method of producing food
Industrial – emphasis shifts from the production of food to the production of manufactured goods made possible by changes in production methods
Postindustrial – much of the economy is involved in providing information and services

18. Types of Societies - Preindustrial
Type of societies in which food productions- carried out through the use of human and animal labor is the main economic activity Can be subdivided according to the level of technology and method of producing food

19. Pre-Industrial Society Subdivision Hunting and Gathering Society
Type of society characterized by the daily collection of wild plants and the hunting of wild animals as the main form of subsistence

20. Pre-Industrial Society Subdivision Pastoral Society
Type of society characterized by a reliance on domesticated herd animals as the main form of subsistence.
Division of Labor – Specialization by individuals or groups in the performance of specific economic activities.

21. Pre-Industrial Society Subdivision Horticultural Society
Type of society characterized by a reliance on vegetables grown in garden plants as the main form of subsistence.

22. Pre-Industrial Society Subdivision Agricultural Society
Type of society characterized by the use of draft animals and plows in the tilling of fields.
Barter – Practice of exchanging one good for another.

23. Industrial Societies
Type of Society in which the mechanized production of goods is the main economic activity.
Urbanization – Concentration of the population in cities

24. Post-Industrial Societies
Type of society in which economic activities centers on the production of information and provision of services.

25. Section 3: Types of Societies
Preindustrial
Industrial
Postindustrial
Types of Societies
hunting and gathering; pastoral; horticultural; mechanical solidarity
agricultural
manufacturing
urban; technology;
organic solidarity
information;
provision of services

26. Section 3: Types of Societies
Contrasting Societies
Sociologists have long been interested in how the social structures of preindustrial and industrial societies differ
Durkheim – preindustrial societies are held together by:
Mechanical Solidarity – Close-knit-social relationships common in Preindustrial societies that result when a small group of people share values and perform the same task.
As a society becomes more complex, it gives way to:
Organic Solidarity – Impersonal social relationships, common in Industrial societies that arise with increased job specialization.

27. Section 3: Types of Societies
Contrasting Societies
German Sociologist – Ferdinand Tönnies
– Defined two ideal types of societies based on the structure of social relationships & degree of shared values
Gemeinschaft – Societies in which most members know one another, relationships are close, and activities center on the family and the community.
Gesellschaft – Societies in which social relationships are based upon need rather than on emotions, relationships are impersonal and temporary and individual goals are more important than group goals.

28. Objectives: Section 4: Groups Within Society
Summarize the major features of primary and secondary groups.
Identify the purposes that groups fulfill.

29. Groups – Four Major Features:
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Groups – Four Major Features:
Consist of two or more people
Interaction among members
Members have shared expectations
The above features distinguish it from an ….
Aggregate – Groups of people gathered in the same place at the same time who lack organization
OR ….
Social Category – Group of people who share a common trait or status.
Members possess a common identity

30. Groups – Distinguishing Characteristics:
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Groups – Distinguishing Characteristics:
Size
Dyad – Group with two members.
Triad – Three- person group.
Small Group – Group with few enough numbers that everyone is able to interact on a face to face basis (Sociologists have found that in groups over 15, people tend to sort themselves into smaller groups)

31. Groups – Distinguishing Characteristics:
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Groups – Distinguishing Characteristics:
Time
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Annually
You get the idea

32. Groups – Distinguishing Characteristics:
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Groups – Distinguishing Characteristics:
Organization
Formal Group – A group in which the structure, goals, and activities of the group are clearly defined.
Informal Group – A group in which there is no official structure or established rules of conduct.

33. Types of Groups Features of Primary Groups
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Types of Groups Features of Primary Groups
Interact over a long period of time on a direct and personal basis
Entire self of the individual is taken into account
Relationships are intimate and face-to-face

34. Types of Groups Features of Secondary Groups
Section 4: Groups Within Society
Types of Groups Features of Secondary Groups
Interaction is impersonal and temporary in nature
Involve a reaction to only a part of the individual’s self
Casual and limited to personal involvement

35. Section 4: Groups Within Society
Reference Group – Any group with whom individuals identify and who’s attitudes and values they often adopt.
In-Group – Group that an individual belongs to and identifies with.
Out-Group – Any group that an individual does not belong to or identify with.
E-Community – A community of people who interact through the internet or other electronic communications.
Social Network – Web relationship that is formed by the sum total of an individual's interactions with other people.

36. Functioning of Groups Section 4: Groups Within Society
Select leaders – people that influence the attitudes and opinions of others
Define their boundaries – so that members can tell who belongs and who does not
Set goals, assign tasks, and make decisions
Control their members’ behavior – if members violate groups norms, the group cannot survive long

37. control members’ behavior
define boundaries
select leaders
GROUP FUNCTIONS
set goals
assign tasks
make decisions
control members’ behavior

38. Types of Leaders Section 4: Groups Within Society
Leaders – People who influence the attitudes and opinions of others.
Instrumental Leaders – Leaders who are task- oriented.
Expressive Leaders – Leaders who are emotion- oriented

39. Roles of Individuals in Societies
Section 3: Types of Societies
Section 3: Types of Societies
Roles of Individuals in Societies
Roles related to:
Leadership
Family
Work

40. Objectives: Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations
Explain how bureaucracies are structured.
Evaluate the effectiveness of bureaucracies.

41. Bureaucracy (Characteristics identified by Max Weber)
1. Division of Labor
2. Ranking of Authority
Bureaucracy
(Characteristics identified by
Max Weber)
5. Specific lines of promotion and advancement
3. Employment based on Formal qualification
4. Rules and Regulations

42. Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations
Formal Organization – Large, complex secondary group that has been established to achieve specific goals. (Examples: Schools, businesses, political and religious and youth organizations, and labor unions)
Bureaucracy – Ranked authority structure that operates according to specific rules and procedures.
Rationality – The process of subjecting every feature of human behavior to calculations, measurement, and control.
Voluntary Association – Non profit association formed to pursue some common interest.
Iron Law of Oligarchy – Tendency of organizations to become increasingly dominated by small groups of people.

43. Weber’s Model Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations
Division of Labor- Work is divided among specialist in various positions. Each specialist is expected to perform specific duties.
Ranking of Authority- There are clear cut lines of responsibility, and each individual is responsible to a supervisor at a higher level.
Employment based on formal qualifications- Specific qualifications are required for each job. Individuals are hired based upon tests, education or previous experience. (In a bureaucracy, the job –not the job holder –is important. Therefore everybody is replaceable).

44. Weber’s Model Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations
(continued)
Rules and regulations- There are objective rules, regulations, and routine procedures that identify the exact responsibilities and authority of each person on staff.
Specific lines of promotion and advancement- It is assumed that employees expect a career with the organization. Thus there are clear-cut lines of promotion and advancement. Among the rewards for remaining with the organization are job security and seniority.

45. Head of the Bureaucracy
(CEO, Superintendent, president, etc.)
Department Head/VP
Subordinate
Department Head/VP

46. Effectiveness of Bureaucracies
Section 5: The Structure of Formal Organizations
Effectiveness of Bureaucracies
Efficient at coordinating large numbers of people, defining tasks and rewards
Provides stability
Can lose sight of goals, create red tape, and result in oligarchies
In some instances, rewards incompetence and expands uncontrollably

47. Chapter Wrap-Up CHAPTER 4
1. How can a person’s status differ from his or her role?
2. How does role conflict affect groups and individuals? How can it be resolved?
3. What are the five most common forms of interaction recognized by sociologists?
4. Identify and describe the three broad categories of societies used by sociologists.
5. How do the roles of group members differ between primary and secondary groups?
6. What, according to Max Weber’s model, are the major characteristics of a bureaucracy?
7. What weaknesses influence the effectiveness of bureaucracies?

48. Essay Questions CHAPTER 4
Define bureaucracy, identify the five characteristics of a bureaucracy, and then explain which of the five characteristics is most related to “The Peter Principle”.
2. Identify six types of societies and describe the subsistence strategy of each society.