Chapter 4, Social Structure And Interaction In Everyday Life

Social Structure: The Macrolevel Perspective Components of Social Structure Societies: Changes in Social Structure Social Interaction: The Microlevel Perspective Changing Social Structure and Interaction in

the Future

Social Structure

Patterns of social relationships in a society make up its social structure.

Social structure shapes the overall patterns in which social interaction occurs.

Provides an ordered framework for society and for interactions with others.

Components of Social Structure

Status Roles Groups Social Institutions

Four Stages of Role Exiting

1. Doubt - people experience frustration or burnout when they reflect on their existing roles.

2. Search for alternatives - people may take a leave of absence or temporarily separate from their marriage partner.

Four Stages of Role Exiting

3. Turning point - people realize they must take some final action.

4. Creation of a new identity.

Groups

PrimaryFamily, close friends, school or work-related peer groups

SecondarySchools, churches, corporations

Five Basic Social Institutions

Family Religion Education Economy Government or politics

Perspectives on Social Institutions

Functionalist theory - social institutions perform essential tasks.

Conflict theory - social institutions are organized to meet basic social needs but do not work for the good of everyone in society.

Functionalists: Five Tasks of Social Institutions

1. Replacing members.

2. Teaching new members.

3. Producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services.

4. Preserving order.

5. Providing and maintaining a sense of purpose.

Durkheim's Typology of Social Solidarity

Social solidarity is based on social structure which is based on a society's division of labor.

Mechanical Solidarity - people are united by traditions and shared values.

Organic Solidarity - people are united by mutual dependence on one another.

Tönnies: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft

Concerned with what happens to social solidarity when a “loss of community” occurs.

Gemeinschaft - social relationships are based on bonds of friendship and kinship.

Gesellschaft - social bonds are based on impersonal relationships with little consensus on values.

Goffman’s Dramaturgical Analysis

Daily interactions are similar to dramatic productions.

Members of our “audience” judge our performance and are aware that we may reveal our true character.

Most of us attempt to control the impressions we give to others.

Nonverbal Communication

Facial expressions Head movements Eye contact Body positions Touching Personal space

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Supplements verbal communication. Regulates social interaction - body posture and

eye contact signals whether we wish to talk with someone.

Establishes the relationship among people in terms of their power over one another.