Social Group Dynamics and Social Stratification

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to social group dynamics, leadership styles, societal transformations, social stratification, and theories of deviance.

Dyad

A social group consisting of two members.

Triad

A social group consisting of three members.

Coalition

A temporary alliance between members to achieve a goal or gain power.

Instrumental Leaders

Leaders who focus on the task at hand and the completion of goals.

Expressive Leaders

Leaders who are people-oriented and focus on the emotional wellbeing of group members.

Authoritarian Leadership Style

A style where one person assigns all tasks and makes decisions unilaterally.

Democratic Leadership Style

A style where group members discuss and decide roles and tasks together.

Laissez-faire Leadership Style

A style with no clear leader; group members work independently on their own tasks.

Hunting and Gathering Societies

Societies that rely on foraging, hunting, and simple tools for sustenance.

Pastoral Societies

Societies that depend primarily on domesticated animals for food and clothing.

Agricultural Societies

Societies that cultivate crops and domesticate animals as their primary means of production.

Industrial Societies

Societies characterized by surplus labor and the use of technology to control production.

Social Stratification

The ranking of individuals or groups based on their power, property, and wealth.

Aggregate

Individuals who temporarily share the same physical space but do not interact.

Category

A collection of people who share similar characteristics.

Primary Groups

Groups characterized by cooperative, intimate, and long-term relationships.

Secondary Groups

Larger, relatively temporary, formal, and impersonal groups based on interests.

Status Symbols

Items worn or displayed that signify affiliation with a particular social class.

Reference Groups

Groups that serve as a standard for evaluating oneself and one's beliefs.

Social Networks

The web of relationships and connections that influence behavior.

Intergenerational Mobility

Movement up or down the social ladder in comparison to one's parents.

Structural Mobility

Changes in social status resulting from shifts in societal values.

Deviance

Any behavior, belief, or condition that violates social norms.

Stigma

A negative label or social disapproval attached to someone due to a trait.

Labeling Theory

The idea that being labeled as 'deviant' can lead to continued deviance.

Strain Theory

The theory that people conform to societal norms unless they feel strain.

Recidivism Rate

The percentage of individuals who reoffend after being punished.

Systems of Social Stratification

Caste, Clan, and Class systems that categorize individuals based on status.

The Iron Law of Oligarchy

The principle that all organizations will eventually become oligarchical.