1. Social Groups and Organizations Chapter 6

2. Learning Objectives  Distinguish between primary and secondary groups.  Explain the functions of groups.  Understand the role of reference groups.  Know the influence of group size.  Understand the characteristics of bureaucracy.  Know what Michels’s concept of “the iron law of oligarchy” is.  Understand why social institutions are important.

3. The Nature of Groups Identifiable Collections of People  Social Group  Social Aggregate – number of people with temporary physical proximity

4. Social Group  A number of people connected by common identity, seeking unity as a result of shared goals and norms

5. Social Aggregate  A number of people with temporary physical proximity to each other

6. Types of Groups  Primary – intimate face-to-face association with total interaction; form the social nature and ideas of individuals  Secondary – less intimate; impersonal, formalized, and with specific goals

7. Functions of Groups  Define boundaries  Choose leaders  Make decisions  Set goals  Assign tasks  Control members’ behavior

8. Reference Groups  Used by individuals to: 1.Help define beliefs 2.Determine attitudes and values 3.Provide guidance for behavior 4.Provides comparison point for measuring self against others

9. Small Groups  Broadly applied term, including Families Families Peer groups Peer groups Work groups Work groups Size allows all members to know one another 1.Dyad (2 members) 2.Triad (3 members)

10. Example of a Dyad Dyad Pilot and Co-Pilot Engaged couple

11. Large Groups/Associations Associations with purposeful special interest goals and official hierarchy

12. Large Groups – Examples Government departments Government departments Businesses/factories Businesses/factories Labor unions Labor unions Schools and colleges Schools and colleges Hospitals and clinics Hospitals and clinics Formal structure dominates; informal structure emerges

13. Group Form & Function  Varies dependent on Social location Social location Social structure Social structure Simplicity or complexity of society Simplicity or complexity of society

14. Tönnies on Groups  Gemeinschaft (community) – with intimate, cooperative, and personal relationships; personal reciprocity and group care  Gesellschaft (society) – with impersonal, independent, and formal relationships; self interest served first and economic exchange

15. Durkheim on Groups  Built on the collective conscience that produces social solidarity Mechanical solidarity – strong collective conscience with great commitment to that conscience; small simple society Mechanical solidarity – strong collective conscience with great commitment to that conscience; small simple society Organic solidarity – cooperation of individuals performing specialized tasks; large complex society Organic solidarity – cooperation of individuals performing specialized tasks; large complex society

16. GroupsandBureaucracy

17. Merton on Bureaucracy  “A formal, rationally organized social structure [with] clearly defined patterns of activity in which, ideally, every series of actions is functionally related to the purposes of the organization.”

18. Weber on Bureaucracy: An Ideal  lear-cut division of labor  Hierarchical delegation of power and responsibility  Rules and regulations  Impartiality  Employment based on technical qualifications  Distinction between public and private spheres

19. Reality of Bureaucracy  Built on Weber’s model Structure Structure OverseersOverseers SubordinatesSubordinates Adherence to unproductive ritual Adherence to unproductive ritual AlienationAlienation IncompetenceIncompetence IndifferenceIndifference

20. Michels on Iron Law of Oligarchy  Bureaucracy begins idealistically then evolves  Dominated by self-serving people Achieve powerAchieve power Corrupted by elite positionsCorrupted by elite positions Self-protective / self-servingSelf-protective / self-serving

21. Social Organization Social Institutions Social Organization

22. Social Institutions  Ordered social relationships, built on: Values Values Norms Norms Statuses Statuses Roles Roles  All fulfilling society’s needs

23. Social Organization  Relatively stable pattern of social relationships of individuals and groups in society, built on: Social roles Social roles Norms and shared meanings Norms and shared meanings  All providing regularity and predictability in interaction