Social Structure and Social Interaction Flashcards
(26 cards)
Macrosociology
Focuses on broad features of society
Used by functionalists and conflict theorists
Ex. Social class, marriage/family
Microsociology
Focuses on social interactions
Used by symbolic interactionists
Ex. relationships, roles, status
Social Structure
Framework of society that surrounds us
How people/groups relate to one another
Gives direction to and sets limits on our behavior
Culture
A groups language, beliefs, values, behaviors, and gestures
Social Class
Large groups of people who rank close to one another in property, power, and prestige
Based on your income, education, and occupation
Social status
The position that someone occupies in a social group; may carry prestige
Status set
All the statuses/positions an individual occupies
Ascribed Status
A position an individual either inherits at birth or receives involuntarily later in life
Ex. race, sex, social class
Achieved Status
A position that is earned, accomplished, or involves some effort
Ex. education, occupation, voting, marriage/divorce, criminality
Status symbols
Indicators of a status; items that display prestige
Ex. wedding ring, uniform, car, jewelry, apparel
Master status
A status that cuts across other statuses that an individual occupies; some are ascribed
Ex. sex, disability, wealthy, student
Status inconsistency/discrepancy
Ranking high on some dimension of social status and low on others
Ex. obtaining a degree at a young age
Roles
The behaviors, obligations, and privileges attached to a status
Roles lay out what is expected of people
You occupy a ___, but you play a ___
status, role
Social Groups
People who interact with one another who believe that what they have in common is significant
Ex. political, sports, clubs, neighbors
Social Institutions
The organized, usual, or standard ways by which society meets its basic needs
Set the context for your behavior and orientations to life
Functionalist Perspective on Social Institutions
Social institutions are needed for society’s survival
How does society meet its basic needs for survival, according to functionalists?
- Replace members (reproduction)
- Socializing new members (learn basic expectations)
- Producing and distributing goods and services (basic resources/needs)
- Preserving order (protecting from potential chaos)
- Providing a sense of purpose (answer questions about meaning)
Conflict Theorists Perspective on Social Institutions
They were designed to meet basic survival needs, but they don’t work harmoniously for the common good
- Small group of elite hold majority of wealth
- Want to preserve the status quo
- Safeguard the wealthy and powerful in their positions of privilege
Symbolic Interaction Theorists Perspective on Social Institutions
Interested in how people view things and how this affects their behavior and orientations to life
Ex. Stereotypes, personal space, eye contact, body language
Dramaturgy
Erving Goffman; social life is analyzed in terms of drama
- Role performance, role conflict, and role strain
Role Conflict vs. Role Strain
Conflict: multiple demands from multiple roles
Strain: multiple demands from one role
Enthnomethodology
Harold Garfinkel; study of how people use background assumptions to make sense of life or how people do things
Construction of Reality
Use of background assumptions and life experiences to define what is real
