Social Groups and Networks

These flashcards encompass key concepts and definitions from the lecture notes on social groups and networks.

What is a dyad?

A social group consisting of two members.

What is a triad?

A social group consisting of three members.

What is a mediator in a triad?

A member of a triad who acts as a facilitator between the other two members.

What does tertius gaudens mean?

A member of a triad who benefits from the conflict between the other two members.

What does divide et impera mean?

A strategy of creating discord among members of a group.

What is a small group?

A social group characterized by close interactions and personal relationships.

What is a party in social terms?

A social group that includes a larger number of people and is less intimate than a small group.

What is a large group?

A social group with a larger number of members that typically have more formalized structure.

What are primary groups?

Small groups characterized by close, personal, and enduring relationships.

What are secondary groups?

Larger and more impersonal groups that are goal-oriented.

What did the Ash Experiment demonstrate?

It illustrated how group dynamics can promote conformity among individuals.

What is an in-group?

A social group that an individual identifies with and feels a sense of belonging.

What is an out-group?

A social group that an individual does not identify with and may feel disconnection or opposition towards.

What is a reference group?

A group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior.

What is a social network?

A system of interconnected individuals or groups.

What is a tie in social networks?

A connection between two individuals or groups within a social network.

What is a narrative in the context of social networks?

The description of the relationships and connections within a social network.

What does embeddedness mean in social networks?

The degree to which social relationships are reinforced through indirect ties.

What are the strength of weak ties?

The idea that weak ties can be more beneficial than strong ties because they connect individuals to new information and networks.

What is a structural hole?

A gap between two networks where there are no direct connections.

What are elastic ties?

Connections that can expand or contract depending on the context, such as ties that are maintained over time but are not constantly active.

What is social capital?

The resources and benefits that individuals gain from their social networks.

Who is Robert Putnam and what is his contribution to social capital?

A sociologist known for his work on the decline of social capital in the United States.

What is organizational culture?

The values, beliefs, and norms shared by members of an organization.

What is organizational structure?

The way in which the tasks of an organization are divided and coordinated.

What is isomorphism in organizational theory?

The phenomenon where organizations become more similar over time due to various pressures or incentives.