Chapter 4 Flashcards
(23 cards)
Social structure
The way in which recurring patterns of relationships within a social system are organized
micro-level social structure
Social structures through which individuals relate to one another, such as an individual’s status or role in society
mid-level social structure
medium-sized social structures such as groups and organizations
status
The position a person occupies in a group or organization; for example in a family a person may have the status of son and brother
achieved status
Social status acquired through a person’s application of resources, talent, effort, and opportunity
ascribed status
Social status over which a person has no control, such as race, sex, and class
master status
The one status (among several that each individual has) that overrides all others, thus dictating how a person is treated
social role
The behavior expected of individuals in the various positions or statuses they hold
social aggregate
A collection of individuals with no real interpersonal ties or patterned relationships, such as people who attend a concert or sporting event
group
A collection of individuals who have a regular interaction
norms
Rules or standards of proper behavior that are formed by interacting individuals
primary group
A collection of individuals who interact frequently and share important connections that bring the members together; for example, family, friends, and coworkers
secondary group
A collection of individuals who come together for a specific purpose such as accomplishing a task or achieving a goal; primary groups may form as a result of people’s participation in secondary groups
bereaucracy
An organization characterized by a clear-cut division of labor, hierarchy of authority, adherence to formal rules, impartiality, and rewards based on merit
simple control
Relatively small operations in which the “boss” ran the enterprise. Wheather the owner or hired supervisors oversaw the work, power over workers was exercises personally and directly
bureaucratic control
Operates by surrounding people with rules. Employers require that their workers conform to standardized job description, and they evaluate employee job performance on checklists and rating forms.
iron law of oligarchy
The inevitable tendency for organizations to be ruled by a few people, even those organizations that purport to be democratic
democracy
A government, organization, or group ruled and controlled by the people, usually the majority
direct democracy
A government, organization, or group in which all members participate in the decision making
representative democracy
A government, organization, or group in which people choose or elect others to make decisions for them
informal organization
A social structure that emerges spontaneously as people interact in bureaucratic or formal organizational settings
social networks
The complex patterns of social relationships and ties to others in which individuals are caught up
social capital
A crucial social resource that all people possess to a greater or lesser degree
