chapter 4

1. Chapter 4 Social StructurE and Social Interaction

3. The Building Blocks of Social Life Basic Concepts: The process by which people act toward or respond to other people is called: Any relatively stable pattern of social behavior (including the norms/rules guiding this behavior) is called:  

4. Social Structure Social structure helps us know what we are supposed to do (rules and direction are provided everyday). Social structure helps provide limits on our behavior -- and keep social phenomena happening in a predictable manner (relatively).

5. Social Structure and Social Marginality When a person is partly in the larger social structure of society and partly out of this larger structure -- based on the status(es) he or she currently occupies -- we call this phenomenon “social marginality.” Examples??  

6. Components of Social Structure 1. status = a socially-defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights, and duties [examples: physician, nurse; teacher, student].

7. Two Kinds of Status (distinguished by how we actually acquire them) Ascribed Status: A social position conferred at birth or received involuntarily, based on attributes over which the individual has little or no control Examples?  Achieved Status: A social position that an individual assumes voluntarily as a result of personal choice, merit, or direct effort Examples?

8. Status… NOTE: Not all achieved statuses are ones that we wish to occupy!! It is important to be aware that ascribed statuses (1) AFFECT achieved statuses (2). Also, in some societies statuses that we ACHIEVE are ASCRIBED at birth. Examples??

9. Social Status: Related Terms Status symbols = material signs that inform others of a person’s specific status. Examples?   role = A set of behavioral expectations associated with a given status (sometimes called a “role set”).

10. Social Status: Related Terms Status set = All of the statuses that an individual occupies @ a given time. Describe YOURS!!  

11. Consequences of Occupying Social Status & Playing Roles *role conflict = when incompatible role demands are placed on an individual by two or more statuses (held at the same time). Examples? *role strain = when incompatible role demands are placed on an individual by a single status. Examples?

12. Consequences of Occupying Social Status & Playing Roles… *role exit = The process of disengaging from a social role that was central to one’s identity. * Note: The 3 outcomes of role conflict, role strain, and role exit are social-psychological consequences of occupying a status and performing its role over time.

13. introducing MACRO social structures!!!!   social institution = a large-scale social structure designed to meet society’s needs.   Examples???

14. Perspectives of Social Institutions Differing perspectives view the role of social institutions for society...  Functionalist perspectives assert that social institutions “exist because they perform 5 essential tasks” (Kendall, 2005, p. 150). -replacing members.        -teaching new members      -producing, distributing, consuming goods & services -preserving order -providing and maintaining a sense of purpose

15. Perspectives of Social Institutions… 2. Conflict perspectives assert that social institutions do NOT work for the common good, but rather “maintain the privileges of the wealthy & powerful while contributing to the powerlessness of others” (Kendall, 2005, p. 150).  

16. Perspectives of Social Institutions Taking a micro-level perspective, social structures can be maintained at the level of social interaction, including face-to-face encounters, phone encounters, or online (business and friendships, for example).

17. Perspectives of Social Institutions… 3. Symbolic Interactionists focus on the “social construction of reality” = the process by which our perceptions of reality are largely shaped by the subjective meaning that we give to an experience.  **One approach of studying social life that falls within the S. I. framework is “Dramaturgical Analysis” by Erving Goffman back in the 1960’s through the 1970’s. Dramaturgical Analysis = the study of social interaction in terms of the theatre. Recall: William Shakespeare “All the world’s a stage…” (As You Like It)

18. Dramaturgical Analysis of Social Life “frontstage” “lighting” “props” “backstage” “set/stage” “performance” “costume” “audience” “actors”

19. Dramaturgical Analysis of Social Life… We have an “audience” that we try to convince that we “perform our scripts” with our true character. Goffman asserted that we keep our true characters hidden. It is through “Impression Management” (a.k.a. “presentation of self” to use Goffman’s original terms) that we convince others of a certain persona/ image...with as much mastery as our creative minds -- and the context -- will allow. The “audience” is key to our performance coming through successfully.

20. Dramaturgical Analysis of Social Life… ** Impression management (presentation of self) = the process of conveying a favorable image of ourselves.   Note: We do this for our own interests. In this vein, others participate in our own presentations of self for their interests. Generally speaking, impression management serves everyone’s interests, because otherwise we would all have to actively “construct” a new reality and a new situational order. Thus, others generally “buy into” our performances in their reactions to us. Since they seek to convey a favorable image of themselves ,they also present themselves favorably.

21. Dramaturgical Analysis of Social Life… Goffman wrote about various “face-saving behaviors” = the strategies we use to rescue our performance when we experience a potential or actual “loss of face” (e.g., excuses & other verbal “rescuing” remarks). Note ALSO: Others will come to our rescue often in order to maintain the socially constructed reality and social order…

22. The Sociology of Emotions Why do we show our feelings (or have emotions)? According to Arlie Hochschild (1983), society creates “feeling rules” dictating how, where, when, and with whom an emotion should be expressed. Emotional labor refers to the social requirement to display only certain emotions with the public or to produce a certain state of mind in others. Examples? When are you required to do emotional labor?? C. Wright Mills (1956) talked about “selling our personality” when we sell products or services and that this process is self-alienating. Both Hochschild and Mills emphasized the dehumanization of having to emote feelings that are not true.

23. Nonverbal Communication Why is nonverbal communication important (transferring info. without words)? Can we express power over others with nonverbal communication? What about deference (or respect)? Who has more leeway (the person occupying the position of power or the one occupying the position of less power)?

24. Nonverbal Communication… Consider how power relates to the following: Facial Expression Eye Contact Touching Any gender differences? What do we mean by “personal space”?