Chapter 4 Society and Social Interaction What Is Society? Theories About Analyzing Social Interaction Forms of Nonverbal Communication Interpersonal Attraction and the Formation of Pairs Social Institutions and Social Structure What Holds Society Together? Types of Societies: A Global View
What Is Society? A system of social interaction that includes culture and social organization. Members of a society have a common culture even though there may also be great diversity within it.
Characteristics of Groups A collection of individuals who interact and communicate with each other. Share goals and norms. Possess a subjective awareness of themselves as a distinct social unit.
Social construction of reality Perception of what is real is determined by the subjective meaning that we attribute to an experience. There is no objective reality. People force meanings on something when doing so allows them to perceive what they want to perceive.
Ethnomethodology Disrupting social norms and observing how individuals attempt to restore normalcy. Based on the premise that human interaction takes place within a consensus and that interaction is not possible without this consensus.
Impression management People control how others will perceive them. People present different faces on different stages with different others.
Social Exchange Interactions are determined by rewards or punishments from others. If the reward for an interaction exceeds the punishment, a potential for social profit exists and the interaction is likely to occur.
Cyberspace Interaction Characteristics : Nonverbal communication is eliminated. One is free to become a different self. The anonymity allows a new kind of relationship in society.
Forms of Nonverbal Communication Touch Paralinguistic communication - pitch, loudness and rhythm of the voice. Kinesic communication - gestures, facial expressions, and body. Use of personal space.
Factors in Attraction Close proximity - living, working, or frequent contact increases chances of attraction. Exposure - the more you see someone, the more you like them. Physical attractiveness Similarity in status, race, ethnicity, religion, personality, attitudes and opinions.
Social Institutions Family Education Work Economy Political Institutions Religion Health care Mass Media Organized Sports Military
Functionalists: Purposes of Social Institutions Socialization of new members of society. Production and distribution of goods and services. Maintenance of stability and existence. Provide members with a sense of purpose.
Durkheim: Social Solidarity People in society have a collective consciousness through which they develop a sense of solidarity. Mechanical solidarity arises when individuals feel bonded by their similarity. Organic solidarity arises when individuals are bonded through their division of labor.
Six Types of Societies Foraging Pastoral Horticultural Agricultural Industrial Postindustrial
Industrial Societies Use machines and other advanced technologies to produce and distribute goods and services. Highly differentiated labor force and the intensive use of capital and technology. Urbanization and immigration are common in industrial societies.
Post Industrial Societies Information based in which technology plays a major role. Educational institutions are more important and science is prominent. Increasingly dependent on a global economy.