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SOCIAL STRUCTURES
AND INSTITUTIONS
Chapter 4 Pt.I
TERMS:
Social Structure
Reciprocal roles
Status
Role expectations
Role
Role conflict
Ascribed Status
Social Institution
Achieved Status
Master Status
Intro…don’t write, just think
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Humans are social beings. We live
and work in groups and interact in
predictable ways. We have a
structure that guides our interaction.
It helps us know what is expected of
us and what we can expect from
others. It also ensures that the
general nature of society remains
relatively stable from one generation
to the next…even though members
change.
Social Structure..
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Provides society with a stable
framework that promotes continuity.
In other words…we know what to
expect.
Gives society its characteristics.
Is what makes patterns of human
interaction possible.
Is by textbook definition:
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The network of interrelated statuses
and roles that guides human
interaction.
Because of social structure, what
would you expect from this
person?
You have just described this
persons status and role.
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Status= a socially defined
position in a group or in a
society. (Doctor, Educated,
Respected)
Each status has an attached role…
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Role= the behavior…the rights
and obligations expected of
someone occupying a particular
status. (Care giver, teacher of health
issues, etc.)
Status
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Concept of status central to understanding
sociology.
Status is what you are… teacher, student,
father, etc.
Defines our relationships.
Two types..
 Ascribed Status: based on a person’s
inherited traits or are assigned
automatically…beyond our control.
Example: teenager. You did nothing to
earn it and you can’t change it.
 Achieved Status: acquired b/c of a
person’s effort, often through competition.
Special skill, knowledge, or ability.
Master Status
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We each hold many statuses, but
master is what it says it is…that
one status that we have that is
particularly important.
Changes throughout our lives.
Plays greatest role in shaping our
lives and determining our social
identity.
Can be achieved or ascribed.
What is your master status?
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Ms. Lancee’s is her marital
status…although she loves her
occupation too!!!
Overtime it has changed
 As a teen it was as a friend.
 As young adult it was college
student and new teacher.
 Now is wife
 Late adulthood may be
grandparent
What then is a role????
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A status is just a social catergory.
A role brings status to life…it is what
is expected of you… your behavior
You play many roles every day.
Example… at home you play the
role associated with being a son or
daughter.
A STATUS IS WHAT YOU ARE… A
ROLE IS WHAT YOU DO
Reciprocal roles
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Corresponding roles
that define the pattern of
interaction between
related statuses.
Example…cannot be
coach with out athlete
Let’s think of some
others
(doctor-patient,
employee-employer,
leader-follower, voterpolitician, salesclerkcustomer, husband –
wife, and on and on…
Role expectation…
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Behavior corresponds to the role you play.
Role expectation is the socially
determined behavior expected of a person
performing a role.
Dr’s for example are expected to have skill
and treat with care.
What do we expect of these two???
Role Conflict
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Occurs when the role expectations of
one status makes it difficult to fulfill
the role of another status
Example...being a good parent
sometimes conflicts with being a good
employee.
What are some others???
vs.
=
?
Role performance
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“How good or bad you do at
meeting the expectation of the
role”.
Role Strain
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How your
given role
expectation
“stresses
you out”!
Social Institution
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Is the system of statuses, roles,
values, and norms that is organized
to satisfy one or more of the basic
needs of society.
Basic needs are…
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Provide physical & emotional support
Transmit knowledge
Produce goods and services
Maintaining social control.
When we look at social structure through
the “big lens” we see institutions. The
Big 5 are… family, gov’t, econ,
education, religion.
Some sociologists want to add science
and sport.