Transcript File
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 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.. 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: 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. Status= a socially defined position in a group or in a society. (Doctor, Educated, Respected) Each status has an attached role… Role= the behavior…the rights and obligations expected of someone occupying a particular status. (Care giver, teacher of health issues, etc.) Status 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 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? 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???? 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 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… 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 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 “How good or bad you do at meeting the expectation of the role”. Role Strain How your given role expectation “stresses you out”! Social Institution 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… 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.