Social Structure, Social Interaction and Collective Behaviour Chapter Four

Outline Components of social structure Social Interaction: the microlevel perspective Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Groups Social Group: consists of two or more people who interact frequently and share a common identity and feeling of interdependence Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Two Types of Groups Primary Secondary Small, less specialized group in which members engage in face-face, emotion-based interactions over a long time Secondary Larger, more specialized group in which members engage in more impersonal, goal-oriented relationships for a limited period of time Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Groups Social solidarity: relates to a group’s ability to maintain itself in the face of obstacles Social network: a series of social relationships that link an individual to others Variation for women and men Variation for ethnic groups and social class Mostly visible minorities and women have been excluded from “old-boy” networks Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Groups Social network For homeless people, there are few social networks They are separated from family and former friends They suffer from social isolation Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

For many years, capitalism has been dominated by powerful “old-boy” social networks. Professional women have increasingly turned to sporting activities such as golf or tennis to create social networks that enhance their business opportunities. Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Groups Formal organization: highly structured group formed for the purpose of completing certain tasks or achieving specific goals Examples: Universities Corporations The government All formal organizations are a very important component of social structure in modernity Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Institutions Function: to provide for basic needs of people (example, the need for the socialization of children is provided by the family and the educational institution) Social Institutions: a set of organized beliefs and rules that establish how a society will attempt to meet its basic social needs Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Contrasts between Social Groups and Social Institutions Composed of specific, identifiable people A family is a good example Specific families do not always conform to the ideologies and standardized patterns of the family as a social institution Social Institution Standardized patterns of behaviour that organize life The family as an institution consists of ideologies and standardized patterns of behaviour that organize a specific family Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Functionalist Theorists Needs 1. Replacing members 2. Teaching new members 3. Producing, distributing, and consuming goods Institutions 1. The family 2. The family and education 3. The economy Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Functional Theorists Needs 4. Preserving order 5. Providing and maintaining a sense of purpose for life Institutions 4. The State or the government 5. Religion and other cultural institutions Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Institutions Conflict theorists argue that many institutions do not fulfill these functions well Homeless people lack the power and resources to promote their own interests when they are opposed by dominant social institutions Urban renewal is good for the wealthy but takes away affordable housing for marginal people-leaving them without homes Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Institutions Other dysfunctions of social institutions Some families abuse children States tend to support the wealthy but not the marginalized Religion often controls people rather than giving them meaning and freedom Corporations tend not to care for their employees and leave them when sales drop Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Interaction: The Micro-Level Perspective Focus: social interaction among individuals, especially face-to-face encounters Social Interaction and Meaning The Social Construction of Reality Dramaturgical Analysis Nonverbal Communication Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Interaction and Meaning Focus: we give meaning to our social action Terms: Civil inattention: that we show awareness that others are near us but we do not make them an object of special attention Interaction order: interaction does have a pattern which regulates the form and processes but not the content Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Interaction and Meaning Variations in how we interpret social interaction rituals: From ethnicity From gender From social class Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Social Interaction and Meaning Attention deprivation: the marginalized people tend to feel this way because of their rejection by members of dominant classes Example of attention deprivation: Sixty percent of Canadians feel uncomfortable when they meet homeless people Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

The Social Construction of Reality The Social Construction of Reality: the process by which our perception of reality is shaped largely by the subjective meaning that we give to an experience Theory: we act on the reality as we see it and not necessarily as it is—the definition of the situation Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

The Social Construction of Reality Definition of the situation: we analyze a social context in which we fine ourselves, determine what is in our best interest, and adjust our attitudes and actions accordingly Self-fulfilling prophecy: a false belief or prediction that produces behaviour that makes the originally false belief come true Example: If I am told repeatedly that I am not a good person, I will begin to believe that I am not a good person Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

The Social Construction of Reality Further theme is that others tend to define our own reality in their terms Often, it is a dominant group that defines this Example: the media defining what it’s like to be homeless Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Sharply contrasting views of the same reality are evident in these people’s views about the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City in September 2001. Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Dramaturgical Analysis Dramaturgical analysis: the study of social interaction that compares everyday life to a theatrical presentation Elements: Others are considered to be the audience People acting are termed actors Impression management: people’s efforts to present themselves to others in ways that are most favourable to their own interests or image Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Dramaturgical Analysis Elements: Face-saving behaviour: the strategies we use to rescue our performance when we experience a potential or actual loss of face Front stage action: our action in front of others at work, in school, in the public Back stage action: our action away from the public in the private sphere Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

According to Erving Goffman, our day-to-day interactions have much in common with a dramatic production. Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication: the transfer of information between persons without the use of speech Types: Intentional Unintentional Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Nonverbal Communication Functions of Nonverbal Communication: Supplements verbal communication Regulates social interaction Establishes power relations Deference: the symbolic means by which subordinates give a response to those in power Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Nonverbal Communication Facial Expression, Eye Contact, and Touching: Facial expressions reflect gender-based patterns of dominance and subordination Women are more likely to sustain eye contact during conversations No direct eye contact from subordinates to those in power: reflects rank Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Nonverbal Communication Facial Expression, Eye Contact, and Touching: Touching: Wide variety of meanings Intimacy Friendship Sexual connotations Gender differences Who touches first may reflect rank Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Nonverbal communication may be thought of as an international language Nonverbal communication may be thought of as an international language. What message do you receive from the facial expression and gestures of each of these people? Is it possible to misinterpret their messages? Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Nonverbal Communication Personal Space: the immediate area surrounding a person that the person claims as private Theme: when others invade our space, we may retreat, stand our ground or become angry Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.

Types of Personal Space In North America Public Over 3.6 meters More formal and makes inter-personal speech nearly impossible Intimate: Contact to 0.5 meter Spouses, lovers, and close friends Copyright © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.