Social structure and Interaction Social structure can be seen as a society’s framework, consisting of the various relationships between people and groups that direct and set limits on human behavior.

Social structure and Interaction

What is social structure? Criminal justice system Most criminal justice systems have five components Law enforcement Prosecution Defense attorneys Courts Corrections Each playing a key role in the criminal justice process. Example -Law enforcement officers take reports for crimes that happen in their areas.

What is social structure? A social structure consists of institutions, rules and practices. 01 A social structure is socially embodied in the actions, thoughts, beliefs, and durable dispositions of individual human beings. 02 A social structure is effective in organizing behavior of large numbers of actors. 03 What is social structure?

Social structure, Interaction and reality Social structure makes interaction possible, however according to Herbert Blumer, human beings do not simply react to each others actions, but “define the situation”.

The Thomas theorem Example – Civil Rights Movement involved changing the definition of situation.

Ability to define social reality reflects group’s power within a society It reflects norms and values of the dominant culture and. Consider – when you are stopped by police – what are the norms? Important aspect of the process of social change involves redefining or reconstructing social reality.

Elements of Social Structure All social interaction takes place within a social structure, which can be broken down into five elements: Statuses Social roles Groups Social networks Social institutions

Statuses Status: any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society - Person can hold more than one at same time. Student ? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Statuses Ascribed and Achieved Status Ascribed status: status one is born with Family background Gender Age Although biological, each culture attaches meaning to these statuses Example – Indian caste system This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Ascribed status - Age We cant’ change ascribed status, but change to traditional constrains associated with it 1 October 2016 – The United Nations is marking the International Day of Older Persons by encouraging countries to draw attention to and challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing, and to enable older persons to realize their potential to build a life of dignity and human rights. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55182#.V_44LiTMJaY

Achieved status: status one earns Achieved status refers to a position one holds in a social system that one attains based on merit or effort.

Status Ascribed Status 1. 2. 3. Achieved Status 3 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Statuses Master Status Status of greatest importance in a particular person's life. Master status is a type of label that may be given to you by others you encounter in the world, or it may be the status that you personally feel is most important. This can be based on any status, such as your gender, ethnicity, physical and mental health or ability, economic status, sexual orientation, religious or spiritual tradition, employment status, occupation or family responsibility, such as a parent or grandparent. Master status that dominates other statuses and determines a person’s general position in society.

Master status shapes a person's life and can be a positive, negative, neutral or mixed label, and it can change over time

Social Roles What Are Social Roles? Social role: set of behaviors that are expected of someone who holds a particular status. Every status has an expected set of behaviors - a role Example – role of a mother Functionalism – Roles are significant components of social structure Social stability – members can anticipate behavior of others based on their role.

Role Conflict When incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by same person Example – Friend? Or supervisor? Conflict between ascribed and achieved roles – Male Nurse

Role strain Difficulties that arise when same social position imposes conflicting demands and expectations. Role strain is when the role demands from a single status cause conflict or become stressful. Example – Teachers – teaching for test This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Social groups A social group consists of two or more people who regularly interact and share a sense of unity and common identity. In other words, it's a group of people who see each other frequently and consider themselves a part of the group This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Why are groups important? Group solidarity (belonging to group) makes a difference Howdon and Ryan (2011) – Survey How students coped – participation in clubs and friendship groups in the weeks following the tragedy helped with recovery

Teaching new recruits Groups and societies must make sure that its members know the norms and values and accept them. Example – Boys Scout Preserving order This function is critical to sustain the group.

Producing and distributing goods and services Any relatively permanent group should provide desired goods and services to its members. Example – Bible Study groups Providing and maintaining a sense of purpose -The group need to motivate its members to be part of the group

Types of Group: Primary and Secondary Groups Primary groups are generally small group with intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation. They are typically small scale are usually long lasting. The members of primary groups feel a strong personal identity with the group. Secondary Groups:They differ significantly from primary groups. They can be small or large and are mostly impersonal and usually short term. They are mostly goal orientated

Types of Groups Reference Groups Reference group: any group that individuals use as standard for evaluating their own behavior Reference groups – serve a normative function by setting and enforcing standards of conduct and belief Reference group – comparison function 24

Examples? Primary, Secondary and reference Groups Primary group: small group with intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation Secondary group: formal, impersonal groups with little social intimacy or mutual understanding Reference group: any group that individuals use as standard for evaluating their own behavior

Planning your graduation party You have 6 tables (10 people per table – invite 60 people) You have to invite people from your primary and secondary group You have to decide who will sit in the front? Who will give a speech? Primary group: small group with intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation Secondary group: formal, impersonal groups with little social intimacy or mutual understanding This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Types of Groups In-Groups and Out-Groups In-groups: any groups or categories to which people feel they belong Sense of superiority Biased opinions “In-group virtues” and “Out-group vices” Everyone who is regarded as “we” or “us” 27

Paul Bloom – In-group and Out-group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jmScyq3GSY

In-group dynamics in-group bias: It refers to a preference and affinity for one’s in-group over the out-group, or anyone viewed as outside the in-group – (Improve self esteem) Intergroup aggression: It is any behavior intended to harm another person because he or she is a member of an out-group, the behavior being viewed by its targets as undesirable. In-group favoritism: It refers to a preference and affinity for one’s in- group over the out-group, or anyone viewed as outside the in-group. This can be expressed in evaluation of others, linking, allocation of resources and many other ways.

Ingroups and Outgroups https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ethnic+cleansing+in+burma &view=detail&mid=EFD8CC0B7950D0B9D333EFD8CC0B7950D0B9D3 33&FORM=VIRE

Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies Formal organization: group designed for special purpose and structured for maximum efficiency Size, specific of goals and efficiency may vary but all formal organizations are structured to manage large-scale operations US postal Service, HCC, Houston symphony 31

3 Categories of formal organizations Normative Organizations (voluntary Organizations) – people join because membership is rewarding in intangible ways. Sierra club Coercive Organization – groups we must be coerced or pushed to join Goffman – Total institutions Utilitarian Organizations – need for material reward Work, school

Ideal type of formal organization - Bureaucracy Bureaucracy: component of formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Ideal type: a construct or model for evaluating specific cases (Weber) Characteristics of Weber’s ideal bureaucracy: Division of labor Hierarchy of authority Written rules and regulations Impersonality Employment based on technical qualifications

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy With a division of labor, specialized experts perform specific tasks Explicit Rules - Guidelines 36

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy A hierarchy of authority means each position is under supervision Written rules and regulations ensure uniform performance of every task Provide continuity Positions are filled based on objective criteria Authority belongs to the position 38

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Impersonality a key characteristic Bureaucratic norms dictate that officials perform duties without personal consideration to people as individuals Organizational personnel treat clients or customers as cases 39

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Employment based on technical qualifications: ideally, performance measured against specific standards Peter principle: every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence (Peter and Hull 1969) 40

Bureaucracy - Issues Alienation: condition of estrangement or dissociation from the surrounding society

Goal displacement: when rules and regulations overshadow larger goals of organization and become dysfunctional Example – what we learnt about bureaucracies after 911? CIA (Overseas matters) and FBI (domestic matters)– division of labor.

Trained incapacity: workers become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Bureaucratization as a Process Bureaucratization: process by which group, organization, or social movement becomes increasingly bureaucratic Can take place within small group settings Oligarchy: Rule by a Few Iron law of oligarchy: even a democratic organization eventually develops into a bureaucracy ruled by a few 44

McDonaldization of Society (Ritzer) Focus on: efficiency (Division of labor), Predictability, calculability and control (monitoring) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Analyze life at your college using Weber’s model of bureaucracy Analyze life at your college using Weber’s model of bureaucracy. What elements of McDonaldization do you see?

Discussion: There are several positive aspects of bureaucracies – Hierarchy of authority, clear division of labor, impersonality, explicit rules. There are also issues: Alienation, Goal displacement, trained incapacity