M1L2 SOCIAL INTERACTION LECTURE 2

At the end of the session, the students must be able to: • Identify the different types of social interaction; • Explain the reasons for conformity. • Identify the different types of conformity

Erving Goffman

• sociologist who created a field of study called microsociology, or social interaction.

• Goffman served as the 73rd president of the American Sociological Association in 1981.

Social interaction

process by which we act and react to stimuli around us.

Social interactions is usually divided into five categories

1. Social Exchange 

2. Competition 

3. Conflict 

4. Cooperation 

5. Coercion 

social exchange

most basic type of social interaction

social exchange

It happens when people interact to receive a reward or a return for their actions, Reward can be monetary or non-monetary.

social exchange

Behavior that is rewarded tends to be repeated. When the costs of an interaction outweigh the rewards, individuals tend to end the relationship

social exchange

Basis of Exchange is reciprocity/ Tit for tat.

Reciprocity

 if you do something for someone, they owe you something in exchange.

Competition

 When 2 or more people strive against one another to gain possession of a good or service.

Competition

Can also motivate people to be more efficient and to achieve goals. Motives or actions are opposed and paralleled.

Competition

Deals with finite/scarce resources. Cornerstone of capitalist economic system

Competition

a lack of cooperation in social relationships, inequality and even conflict.

individuals tend to end the relationship

When the costs of an interaction outweigh the rewards

It motivates people to be more efficient, It leads to inequality and even conflict. 

2 effects of competition

Conflict

Disagreement through which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests or concern. 

Conflict

Motives or actions are opposed.

Conflict

Conflict occur because of differences in perspectives and positions

Cooperation

Occurs when a group of individuals acts together to achieve a common goal.

Cooperation

Works together with other forms of social interaction

Cooperation

team cooperates while attempting to win

Cooperation

Motives or actions are paralleled and mutual.

Volunteer Firefighters, Civil Protection Bodies, Community meetings, Bayanihan

examples of cooperation

Volunteer Firefighters

fire department is an association of individuals trained in first aid, fire  control and arrest, who cooperate with other individuals in society. 

Civil Protection Bodies

Civil protection bodies cooperate with other citizens in safeguarding their safety. 

Community meetings

They are associations that occur among members of a community and  demonstrate cooperation.

Bayanihan

Spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a particular goal

Bayanihan

shows Filipinos’ concept of helping one another most especially in times of need  without expecting anything in return.

can cooperation be bad?

Yes. anybody can cooperate; what makes the cooperation bad will be the common goal  that binds the members together.

Organized harassment

When is cooperation bad? (2 words, O H)

Terrorism

When is cooperation bad? (1 word, T)

Collusion between firms

When is cooperation bad? (3 words, C B F)

Coercion

Individuals or groups are forced to give in to the will of other individuals or groups.

Coercion

Intimidation / Making threats

coercion

Examples: Interrogation of POWs, Law enforcement, Parental control

Conformity, Non-conformity

What is the response of individuals when joining groups? 

conformity

Behavior that matches group expectations. Adapting to fit those around us.

Normative conformity, Informational conformity 

2 main forms of conformity (why do people conform?)

Normative Conformity

To fit in with the group. 

Involves compliance – accepts the views of a group but privately rejects them. 

or Scared to be rejected by the group

Informational conformity

Lacks knowledge and looks to the group for guidance. 

In an ambiguous (i.e. unclear) situation and socially compares their behavior with the group.

or Genuine acceptance of group norms

Compliance, Internalization, Identification

types of conformity

Compliance (group acceptance)

done to achieve a favorable reaction from another person or  group but is not personally acceptable. 

Internalization (genuine acceptance of group norms)

group behavior is congruent to personal  value system 

Identification (group membership)

accepts influence to establish or maintain a satisfying self defining relationship.  

False,  Not everyone conforms to social pressure. 

People always conform.(T/F)

Does not conform to social pressure, cultural differences

Reasons why people dont conform.