Social Structure

Sociologists view society as a system of interrelated parts- as a structure Sociologists view society as a system of interrelated parts- as a structure Social structure is the network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction Social structure is the network of interrelated statuses and roles that guide human interaction A status is a socially defined position in a group or in a society A status is a socially defined position in a group or in a society Each status has attached to it one or more roles Each status has attached to it one or more roles A role is the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status A role is the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status

Status Each individual in society occupies several statuses. Each individual in society occupies several statuses. For example, an individual can be a teacher, a father, a husband, an African American, and a church deacon all at the same time. For example, an individual can be a teacher, a father, a husband, an African American, and a church deacon all at the same time. Statuses define where we fit in society and how we relate to others in society. Statuses define where we fit in society and how we relate to others in society.

Ascribed Status An ascribed status is assigned according to qualities beyond a person’s control. An ascribed status is assigned according to qualities beyond a person’s control. They are not based on an individual’s abilities, efforts, or accomplishments. They are not based on an individual’s abilities, efforts, or accomplishments. They are based on a person’s inherited traits or are assigned automatically when a person reaches a certain age. They are based on a person’s inherited traits or are assigned automatically when a person reaches a certain age. Examples: Teenager, Sex, Race Examples: Teenager, Sex, Race

Achieved Status An ascribed status is acquired through an individual’s own direct efforts An ascribed status is acquired through an individual’s own direct efforts These efforts include special skills, knowledge, or abilities These efforts include special skills, knowledge, or abilities People usually have control over this, unlike ascribed statuses People usually have control over this, unlike ascribed statuses Examples: Actors, Athlete, Husband, Parent Examples: Actors, Athlete, Husband, Parent

Master Status The status that plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his or her social identity is called a master status The status that plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his or her social identity is called a master status It can be either achieved or ascribed It can be either achieved or ascribed A master status changes over the course of his or her life A master status changes over the course of his or her life

Roles A role is the behavior (rights & obligations) expected of someone occupying a status A role is the behavior (rights & obligations) expected of someone occupying a status Roles bring statuses to life Roles bring statuses to life You occupy a status, but you play a role You occupy a status, but you play a role You play different roles every day You play different roles every day

Reciprocal Roles Most of the roles you perform have reciprocal roles Most of the roles you perform have reciprocal roles Reciprocal roles are corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses Reciprocal roles are corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses One cannot fulfill one without the other One cannot fulfill one without the other Examples: husband-wife; friend-friend; doctor-patient Examples: husband-wife; friend-friend; doctor-patient

Role Conflict Role conflict occurs when fulfilling the role expected of you makes it difficult to fulfill the role of another status Role conflict occurs when fulfilling the role expected of you makes it difficult to fulfill the role of another status Example: to be a good employee, you must go to work; but, to be a good parent you need to stay home and care for a sick child Example: to be a good employee, you must go to work; but, to be a good parent you need to stay home and care for a sick child