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Social Structure
Social Interaction, Types of
Societies, Societal Groups
and Formal Organizations
Social Structure
Network of interrelated statuses and
roles that guide human interaction.
Role: Behavior, rights, or obligation of
a particular status.
Status: Socially defined position in a
group or society. ex: I am a Husband,
Father, Son, Brother, Teacher,
Coach, Friend, Nephew, Grandson,
Neighbor etc)
Status
Ascribed Status: Assigned beyond a
person’s control. Ex: Teenager,
Gender, Family Heritage, Race.
Achieved Status: Based on
achievements or efforts. Ex:
Occupation, Husband/Wife, Graduate,
Athlete.
Master Status: one status that is
dominate and defines you as a
person… this status can be ascribed or
achieved.
Role
Reciprocal Roles:
corresponding
roles… one role only
exists because of
another. Ex:
Husband/Wife,
Employee/Employer,
Friend/Friend.
Social Institution
When group of
roles/statuses are
organized to satisfy
one or more basic
needs of society, it
becomes an
institution. Ex:
Family, Economy,
Education,
Religion,
Government.
Types of Social Interaction
Exchange
Competition
Conflict
Cooperation
Accommodation
Social Exchange
Whenever people interact in an effort to
receive a reward or a return for their
actions.
This includes almost all daily
interactions.
Reciprocity: idea that if you do
something for (or to) someone, that
person owes you something in return.
Exchange Theory: Believe that people
are motivated by self-interest in the
interactions with other people.
Social Competition
Occurs when two or more people or
groups oppose each other to achieve
a goal that only one can attain.
This is common in Western societies
(Market Economies)
Most sociologists view this as a
positive means of motivation people
to perform (as long as there are
accepted rules of conduct).
Social Conflict
The deliberate attempt to control a
person by force, to oppose someone,
or to harm another person.
Has few rules of conduct (different
from competition)
Mostly a negative form of interaction,
but does provide some positive
responses such as unity and loyalty.
Social Cooperation
Occurs when two
or more people or
groups work
together to achieve
a goal that will
benefit more than
one person.
Social process that
gets things done.
This can coincide
with competition
(competing for spot
on a team).
Social Accommodation
A state of balance between
cooperation and conflict.
Example: A Hotel… the owner is
letting you stay a night in exchange
for money. If the owner was
cooperating with you, you would stay
for free… if the owner refused to let
you stay, the owner would create
conflict.
Groups within Society
Aggregate: Not a group; a gathering of
people in the same place, but lack
organization or interest. Ex: Airplane
Dyad: Smallest group; two people.
Depend on each other for group to
exist.
Triad: Three person group
Small Group: No more than 15; any
more than that small groups within will
form.
Organization of Groups
Formal Group:
Clearly defined
structure, goals,
and activities.
Informal Group: No
official structure or
rules of conduct
within the group.
Types of Groups
Primary Group: Family; small group
who interact over long period of time
Secondary Group: Interaction is
impersonal and temporary; Ex:
workplace… primary relationships
may develop among secondary group
members.
Reference Group: individuals
identified with or attitudes are similar.
Ex: group of friends or school clubs.
Types of Groups
In-Group: group a person identifies
and belongs to.
Out-Group: group a person can not
identify with and does not belong to.
E-communities: social groups on the
internet
Social Network: includes both direct
and indirect relationships; do not have
clear boundaries
Structure of Formal Organizations
Formal Organization: large, complex
secondary group established to
achieve specific goals.
Bureaucracy: ranked authority
structure that operates according to
specific rules and procedures
Weber’s Model of Bureaucracies
According to Max Weber, a
bureaucracy must contain the
following to be classified as such:
Division of Labor: divided into specialist
Ranking of Authority: lines of
responsibility
Employment based on formal
qualification
Rules and Regulations
Specific Lines of Promotion and
Advancement