Chapter Five

Question 1

Reference Groups

Answer 1

A group that helps us understand or make sense of our position in society relative to other groups

Question 2

Social Network

Answer 2

A set of relations – essentially, a set of dyads – held together by ties between individuals

Question 3

Tie

Answer 3

The connection between two people in a relationship that varies in strength from one relationship to the next

Question 4

Narrative

Answer 4

The sum of stories contained in a set of ties

Question 5

Embeddedness

Answer 5

The degree to which social relationships are reinforced through indirect ties

Question 6

Strength of Weak Ties

Answer 6

The notion that relatively weak ties often turn out to be quite valuable because they yield new information

Question 7

Structural Hole

Answer 7

A gap between network clusters, or even two individuals, if those individuals (or clusters) have complementary resources

Question 8

“Elastic Ties”

Answer 8

Social connections that display the repeated interactions characteristic of strong ties while maintaining a degree of protective social distance

Question 9

Social Capital

Answer 9

The information, knowledge of people, and connections that help individuals enter, gain power in, or otherwise leverage social networks

Question 10

Organization

Answer 10

Any social network that is defined by a common purpose and has a boundary between its membership and the rest of the social world

Question 11

Isomorphism

Answer 11

A containing process that forces one unit in a population to resemble other units that face the same set of environmental conditions

Question 12

Dyad

Answer 12

A group of two

Question 13

Triad

Answer 13

A group of three

Question 14

Mediator

Answer 14

The member of the triad who attempts to resolve conflict between other two members

Question 15

Tertius Gaudens

Answer 15

The member of the triad who benefits from conflict between other two members

Question 16

Divide et Impera

Answer 16

The role of a member of a triad who intentionally drives a wedge between the other two members

Question 17

Small Group

Answer 17

Characterized by face-to-face interaction, a unifocal perspective, lack of formal arrangements or roles, and certain level of equality

Question 18

Large Group

Answer 18

A group characterized by the presence of a formal structure that mediates interaction and, consequently, status differentiation

Question 19

Parties

Answer 19

A group that is similar to a small group but is multifocal

Question 20

Primary Group

Answer 20

Social groups, such as family or friends, composed of enduring, intimate face-to-face relationships that strongly influence the attitudes and ideals of those involved

Question 21

Secondary Group

Answer 21

Groups marked by impersonal, instrumental relationships (existing as a means to an end)

Question 22

In-group

Answer 22

Another term for the powerful group, most often the majority

Question 23

Out-group

Answer 23

Another term for the stigmatized or less powerful group, the minority

Question 24

Organization Culture

Answer 24

the shared beliefs and behaviors within a social group; often used interchangeably with corporate culture

Question 25

Structure

Answer 25

The ways in which power and authority are distributed within an organization