1. Social Structures

2. Social Structure  Social Structure is the different statuses and roles that make up the guidelines for human interaction.  Other words, social structure is the unscripted reason that people act a certain way in a variety of situations.

3. Status  This is your position (where you stand) in a society or group.  Forms of Status: 1.Ascribed Status 2.Achieved Status 3.Master Status

4. Ascribed Status  Ascribed status is based on your personal genetic traits.  Examples: Being a teenager, race, gender, heritage  You cannot do anything about your ascribed status

5. Achieved Status  Achieved status is earned through individual accomplishments.  Examples: Working hard, good grades, good behavior, job promotion  This form of status is totally controlled by the individual and is dictated by their skills and desire.

6. Master Status  This is the most important aspect of your life that makes up your identity  This status will change many times throughout your life  Generally based on hobbies or passions and evolve into one’s occupation

7. Roles  Statuses are categories and roles bring those specific categories to life  Everyday everyone plays multiple roles and each role falls into a status category

8. Reciprocal Roles  These are roles that you fill that require someone else to interact with  Example: Friend-Friend, Husband-Wife, Student-Teacher, Athlete-Coach  Most of your daily roles are reciprocal roles

9. Role Expectation  Culture dictates what behaviors and values specific roles perform  Example: Teachers are expected to foster learning in a safe atmosphere, Students are expected to engage in learning while respecting the school, classmates and staff

10. Role Performance  This is the actual performance of a role by a specific individual  Expectations and Performance do not always match up  Not everyone in a culture believes the same things and many people are asked to perform multiple roles

11. Role Conflict  This is when it is difficult to fulfill the expectations of one role because of another (and vice versa)  Example: To be a good BF/GF you must give the other attention and affection. To be a good athlete you must dedicate time to practice and preparation. Due to time constraints you will be in conflict.

12. Role Strain  This is when someone struggles to meet expectations of either of their roles that are in conflict.  Due to the time constraints mentioned before, the BF/GF does not devote enough time to either and both suffer.

13. Social Institutions  Most sociologists focus on, but not exclusively, five major institutions: 1.Family 2.Economy 3.Politics 4.Education 5.Religion

14. Social Interaction  There are five basic types of interactions that take place in societies around the world. 1.Exchange 2.Competition 3.Conflict 4.Cooperation 5.Accommodation

15. Exchange  This is the most basic form of interactions (based on reciprocal roles)  People interact in hopes of receiving a reward  Examples: Relationships

16. Competition  This occurs when two or more people are attempting to obtain a goal designed for one  Competition is a building block of American society  Pro: Great means of motivation  Con: Stress, inequality and possibly conflict

17. Conflict  The primary emphasis is on defeating an opponent  There are really no rules that govern conflict  Four sources: 1.Wars 2.Disagreements 3.Legal Disputes 4.Clashes over Ideas

18. Cooperation  This happens when two or more people work together to obtain a goal  This interaction is based on getting things done  Businesses, teams, Armies all work together to reach a certain goal or task

19. Accommodation  In an interaction, if you give a little and take a little to ensure everyone’s happy  Different forms of Accommodation are: 1.Compromise 2.Mediation 3.Arbitration

20. Types of Societies  There are four types of Preindustrial Societies: 1.Hunting and Gathering 2.Pastoral 3.Horticultural 4.Agricultural

21. Hunting and Gathering  Food is obtained by collecting wild plants and hunting small animals  Nomadic tribes that moved in search of food  The size of the society is generally around 60 people  Family is very important because most people are related in some way

22. Pastoral  They rely on domesticated animals  Nomadic, they move the herd from pasture to pasture  Larger population allows people to have specialized jobs (blacksmiths)  Power obtained through wealth and passed on from generation to generation

23. Horticultural  They rely on crops (fruits and vegetables)  Use slash and burn farming method (human labor)  Live in semi-permanent or permanent villages  Surplus food leads to job specialization (craftsmen)

24. Agricultural  Rely on crops (fruits and vegetables)  Often use terracing method of farming (animal labor)  Large population because of large amounts of food  Job specialization  Beginning of a trade based society

25. Groups Within A Society  Groups have four main components: 1.Must be more than 2 people 2.Must have interactions amongst the members 3.Must have shared expectations 4.Must have some form of common identity

26. Types of Groups  Here are the various types of groups: 1.Primary Groups 2.Secondary Groups 3.Reference Groups 4.In-Groups and Out-Groups 5.E-Communities

27. Primary Groups  These are long term relationships among small groups  These friendships are strong and intimate  Generally interact face to face  Most common primary groups are family relationships

28. Secondary Groups  These groups have rather casual interactions  Many times these relationships are temporary, able to be replaced  Importance to the group lies in the function they perform  Example would be friends

29. Reference Group  This is characterized by identifying a group and trying to be like them  Follow a shared set of values and attitudes  Teammates, coworkers, classmates

30. In-Group  This is any group a person belongs to and identifies with

31. Out-Group  These are any groups people do not belong to or cannot identify with

32. E-Communities  With the growth of internet communities these E-communities allow people to interact via the web  These communities are outlets for various interactions