1. Chapter 4.1 Building Blocks of Social Structure
Status and roles make individuals react to a society. Let’s see how.

2. Social Structure Social Structure gives a society its characteristics
Definition = Network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction.
Social structures are made of statuses
Socially defined positions in a society
Doctors
Teachers
Parents

3. Know Your Role Social Status are made up of statuses.
Statuses have an individual role in society
Behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status.

4. Ascribed Status Ascribed Status
Is assigned according to qualities beyond a person’s control.
Example
Being a teenager
Race

5. Achieved Status
Acquired through an individual’s efforts including learning special skills
Doctors
Attorneys
Military
Professional athlete

6. Master Status Status that shapes a person’s role in society.
Grandparent
Doctor
Mom and Dad

7. Reciprocal Roles
Corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses.
Coach v. athlete
Teacher v. student

8. Role Expectations
Socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role.
Doctors having bedside manner.
Parents taking care of children.
In reality = role performance
Actual role behavior of person in life.

9. Role Conflict Statuses sometimes have many roles in society.
Teacher
Husband
Brother
Friend
Role Conflict
Occurs when fulfilling the role expectations of one status makes it difficult to fulfill the other roles.
Good teacher = take time to prepare
Good husband = take time out for wife