Previous units have looked into Socialization and the transmission of

culture to society’s members

This unit deals with the Structure, Organization & Operation of human

societies and how Interaction within these structures shapes human behaviour

.

Social Interaction

The process by which people act toward and respond to others… the foundation for all relationships and groups in society.

SOCIAL INTERACTION

Social Structure

The stable pattern of social relationships that exist within a particular group or society

Essential Components of Social Structure:

Social institutions

Social groups

Status & roles

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Social Institution:

A set of organized beliefs and rules that establish how a society will attempt to meet its basic social needs

i.e. Family, religion, education, the economy, the government or politics

Sports, Mass Media, Science/Medicine, Military

SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Social Group:

The basic unit upon which modern society is built- Sociologist apply 2 key concepts to the behaviour of

humans in groups:

- Status (Ascribed & Achieved)

- Role

In turn, these 2 concepts, Status & Role, form the basis of social organization

BASIC COMPONENTS

Social Status:

A socially defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights, and duties

Role:

A set of behavioural expectations associated with a given status.

STATUS & ROLE

When incompatible role demands are placed on a person by two or more statuses held at the same time…

i.e. Student by day,

superhero (or fast-food

attendant) by night!

(P.139)

ROLE CONFLICT

SOCIAL STRUCTURE FRAMEWORK

Soci

ety

Social Institutions

Traditional

FamilyReligion

EducationGovernment

Economy

Emergent

Sports Mass Media

Science/medicineMilitary

Social Groups

Primary Groups

Family MembersClose Friends

Peers

Secondary GroupsSchools

ChurchesCorporations

Statuses & Roles

Ascribed Status

Race/EthnicityAge

GenderClass

Achieved StatusOccupationEducation

Income Level

JOURNAL ENTRY

What are the roles you have?

List the roles you have in your life.

Identify examples of role conflict.

If no conflict, why do you think you are without role conflict?