Chapter 5: Life in Groups P1

What is a social interaction?

A social interaction involves at least two people who react and respond to each other through verbal and nonverbal communication.

A professor notices confused looks on students' faces and explains the material again. What sociological concept does this demonstrate?

Social interaction through verbal and nonverbal communication.

What three factors influence social interactions?

1. Social Environment (Who?)

2. Activities (What’s going on)

3. Physical Setting (where is it taking place)

Why would you interact differently with a professor than with your best friend?

Because the social environment (who you are interacting with) influences behavior.

Why do people behave differently at a funeral than at a party?

The activity taking place influences the interaction.

Why do people behave differently at work than at home?

The physical setting influences expectations and behavior.

What are three types of social interactions?

1. exchange

2. competition

3. cooperation

What is exchange?

people may do things with the intention of getting something in return. Rewards and costs. If the rewards outweigh the costs, the interaction/relationship is likely to continue.

What theory explains exchange interactions?

Social Exchange Theory

A couple divorces because the relationship's costs outweigh its rewards. What concept does this illustrate?

Social Exchange Theory

What is competition?

is a struggle for resources but that struggle must be confined within a set a rules.

If the rules in competition are not followed, there could be

negative consequences

Two football teams competing for a championship are an example of what?

Competition

What is cooperation?

Working together to achieve a goal.

A professor attends class and comes prepared while students attend, study, and complete assignments. What type of interaction is this?

Cooperation

Why is a sports team an example of cooperation?

Team members must work together to win.

What is a status?

A recognized social position occupied by a person at a particular time.

What are examples of statuses?

Student, professor

What is a status set?

all of the statuses that a person has at a
given time in their lives.

hat was Mary's status set?

Student, wife, mother, aunt, sister, administrative assistant, and Catholic

What is an ascribed status?

A status assigned involuntarily born into or beyond one's control

What are examples of ascribed statuses?

Race, gender, disability, sister, aunt.

What is an achieved status?

A status voluntarily earned or chosen.

What are examples of Mary’s achieved statuses?

Student, wife, administrative assistant, Catholic.

What is a master status?

status that strongly influences a person's identity it may be self proclaimed or imposed on us
by others.

Why is Jimmy Carter still called "President" even after leaving office?

Former president remains his master status.

What sociological concept is illustrated when a former status continues to define someone?

master status

How does Richard Jewell illustrate master status?

Even after being cleared of wrongdoing, many people still associated him with the Olympic bombing investigation.

What is status inconsistency?

A person occupies two or more statuses
that may contradict one another.

A police officer breaks the law and accepts bribes. What concept does this represent?

Status inconsistency.

What is a role?

The expectations and responsibilities attached to a status.

What is a role set?

all the roles (responsibilities) attached
to a particular status

What is the role set of a student?

Attend class, study for exams, complete homework, and pay tuition.

What is the role set of an administrative assistant?

Attend meetings, answer phones, file paperwork, and be punctual

What is role conflict?

The inability to fulfill responsibilities associated with two or more statuses.

Mary misses class because she has a work meeting. What concept does this illustrate?

Role conflict

What is role strain?

Difficulty fulfilling responsibilities associated with a single status.

Mary cannot file paperwork because she is attending a meeting at work. What concept does this illustrate?

Role strain

What is role exit?

is the process of leaving one status in favor of another

Who developed Role Exit Theory?

Helen Rose Ebaugh

What inspired Ebaugh's research?

Her own experience leaving the role of nun.

Who else did Ebaugh study?

Ex-doctors, recovering drug addicts, transgender people, and divorced individuals

What did Ebaugh discover?

Many people struggle to completely leave behind a former identity.

What is a group?

Two or more people who relate to one another and
have a distinctive pattern of interaction.

What is a category?

People who share a common status

What are examples of categories?

Italians, bikers, college freshmen.

What is an aggregate?

People who happen to be in the same place at the
same time. Very little interaction. May be referred to as a casual crowd

What are examples of aggregates?

people at a bus stop, on an elevator

What are the groups dynamics?

1. relationships

2. leadership

3. decision making styles

4. reference group

5. group conformity

6. group size

7. in-group and out-group

What are two types or relationships?

primary relationship and secondary relationships

What is a primary group (relationship)?

A group characterized by close, personal, and long-lasting relationships.

What are examples of primary groups?

Family and close friends

What is a secondary group (relationship)?

Formal (based on a specific status),
goal oriented and short term.

Why is the student-professor relationship a secondary relationship?

It is based on the student/professor status, we are
focused on completing the semester, and it will last a semester.

How can coworkers become part of a primary group?

Over time, they may develop close friendships

What are two types of leaders?

Instrumental leader and expressive leader

What is an instrumental leader?

are focused on the completion of tasks

What workplace example demonstrates an instrumental leader?

A supervisor focused on meeting deadlines and completing work.

What is an expressive leader?

is focused on the emotional stability of the group

What example demonstrates an expressive leader?

A manager who ensures employees are happy and supported. A “people person”.

Ideally, you would want to work for someone who is what type of leader?

both instrumental leader and expressive leader