Social structure

1. GS 138: Introduction to Sociology Social Structure and Interaction in Everyday Life

2. Social Structure and Interaction Social structure is the framework of societal institutions (politics, and religion) and social practices (social roles) that make up a society and establish limits on behavior. Social interaction is the process by which people act toward or respond to other people and is the foundation for all relationships and groups in society.

3. Social Structure Framework

4. Component #1 of Social Structure: Status & Roles A status is socially defined position in society characterized by certain expectations, rights, and duties. Ascribed status Social position based on attributes over which the individual has little or no control, such as race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Achieved status Social position that a person assumes as a result of personal choice, merit, or direct effort.

5. Roles A set of behavioral expectations associated with a given status learned in the socialization. Role Expectation A group or society’s definition of the way a specific role ought to be played. Role Performance How a person actually plays a role. Role Conflict Occurs when incompatible demands are placed on a person by two or more statuses held at the same time. Role Strain Occurs when incompatible demands are built into a single status that the person holds. Role Distancing Creating an appearance of distance or mentally distancing oneself from a particular role/status

6. Status Master status is the most important status that a person occupies. Examples: Being a member of a religious, racial, or sexual minority, homeless, gender Status symbols are material signs that inform others of a person’s specific status. Example: Wearing a wedding ring proclaims that a person is married.

7. Achieved and Ascribed Statuses: Challenges for the Ministry Many gay rights advocates would suggest that homosexual orientation is an ascribed status (i.e. gays and lesbians were born that way). With what we know from Scripture, what kind of status would Christians classify homosexuals as?

8. Roles and Statuses Visualized Statuses held by ‘Teresa’, a 35 yr. old wife, mother, and full-time secretary Roles Corresponding to her Various Statuses Mother Secretary Wife Firm with children in setting boundaries Deferential to Boss Occasionally disputes husband, mostly agrees with him Cooks Meals Proofs her boss’s correspondences Send birthday and holiday greetings on behalf of her husband Helps children with homework Takes minutes at staff meetings Listens to husbands’ gripes about his job Buys clothes for children Serves as first point of contact for bosses’ clients Is sexually intimate with husband at mutually-approved times

9. Roles and Statuses Exercise Status Role Role Conflict Statuses in Conflict Role Strain Example of a ‘Distressed’ Status: Examples of c onflicting roles within a Given Status

10. Applying Role Strain & Role Conflict How might a pastor whose parishioner admits to committing a felony in a private counseling session exemplify the role strain of the clergy? How about role conflict?

11. The Evolution of the Mother Status in Teresa’s life

12. Component #2 of Social Structure: Social Groups A social group consists of two or more people who interact frequently and share a common identity and a feeling of interdependence.

13. Social Groups can be: Formal organizations- A highly structured group formed for the purpose of completing certain tasks or achieving specific goals. OR Social institution- is a set of organized beliefs and rules that establishes how a society will attempt to meet its basic social needs.

14. Component #3:Social Institutions and Formal Organizations Social Institutions Formal Organizations Family United Methodist Church Religion Bank of America Education Department of Labor Economy Goodwill Government CNN Mass Media* Pfizer Sports* Science* Military* *Items with an asterisk are considered emerging institutions.

15. It’s Like the Matrix, Dude! Social institutions, statuses and roles, and social groups form an interrelated whole of what sociologists call the social structure. EXAMPLE: A family provides a stable structure to raise children and sense of identity for its members . It may consist of a mother who cooks and cleans . What concepts do the highlighted words in the example correspond to?

16. Durkheim's Typology of Social Solidarity Social solidarity is based on social structure which is based on division of labor. Mechanical Solidarity - people are united by traditions and shared values. Organic Solidarity - people are united by mutual dependence on one another.

17. Tönnies : Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft Sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies (1855– 1936) used the terms Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft to characterize the degree of social solidarity and social control found in societies. Gemeinshcaft societies are bound by kinship and strong ties to communities, while Gesellschaft are based on impersonal and specialized relationships

18. Gemeinschaft and Gessellschaft in the Bible

19. Societal Shifts and Challenges for the Ministry How would we classify 21 st century U.S. society according to Durkheim? Tonnies ? How might the modern megachurch resemble Gesellschaft ?

20. Social Construction of Reality The process by which our perception of reality is largely shaped by the subjective meaning that we give to an experience. This meaning strongly influences what we “see” and how we respond to situations. “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” -W.I. Thomas

21. Social Construction of Reality Definition of the situation - We analyze a social context in which we find 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 behavior that makes the original false belief come true. Examples: Housing Bubble of 2008, Y2K ‘crisis’, MTV’s ‘ Punk’d ’

22. Social Construction of Reality on MTV’s Punk’d Start at 1:15 How does Miley Cyrus define the situation? Does her subjective definition of what Justin Beiber does correspond to reality?

23. Goffman : Dramaturgical Analysis The study of social interaction that compares everyday life to a theatrical presentation. We engage in ‘drama’ on a daily basis. Members of our “audience” judge us and are aware that we may slip and reveal our true character. Impression management People’s efforts to present themselves in ways that are favorable to their own interests or image. Face-saving behavior Strategies to rescue our performance when we experience a potential or actual loss of face.

24. The Stage of Social Interaction Front Stage -Pulpit Back Stage -Parish Office Appearance -Clerical collar and black garb Manner -Solemn facial expression when administering the Eucharist

25. Dramaturgical Analysis in The Bible Matthew 6: Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for praying, fasting, and doing acts of charity in public view Luke 22:25-26 : “ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.   But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” The Gentile kings engaged in impression management -they wanted to viewed as ‘in touch’ with people, though they wanted to control them