SOCIOLOGY CHAPTER 4
Page 1: Introduction
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Course Code: FABC 2133
Topic: Social Structure
Instructor: Dr. Umasenan
Center for Foundation Studies
Copyright ©2013 Lincoln University College
Page 2: Objectives
The student should be able to:
Identify Social Structure
Outline Social Structure
Describe Social Structure
Discuss Social Structure
Page 3: Definition of Social Structure
Social Structure in Sociology:
Refers to organized patterns of relationships and institutions that shape society.
Influences individual behavior.
Includes hierarchies, norms, roles, and institutions governing social interactions.
Page 4: Key Elements of Social Structure
Social Institutions:
Established structures that fulfill essential societal functions (e.g., family, education, religion, economy, government).
Each has specific roles and norms guiding behavior.
Groups and Organizations:
Primary groups (family and friends) vs. secondary groups (colleagues, community organizations).
Influence socialization and identity.
Social Roles:
Assigned based on characteristics such as age, gender, occupation, and social status.
Include expectations regarding behavior and responsibilities.
Page 5: More Key Elements of Social Structure
Social Hierarchies:
Ranking of individuals/groups based on wealth, power, race, and prestige.
Affect access to resources and opportunities.
Norms and Values:
Norms govern behavior; values guide these norms.
Maintain social order through shared expectations.
Social Networks:
Webs of relationships influencing access to information, resources, and support.
Page 6: Importance of Understanding Social Structure
Essential for analyzing individual and group behavior, social change, and overall societal functioning.
Highlights the interconnectedness of social elements shaping human experience.
Page 7: Levels of Social Analysis
Different scales for studying social phenomena.
Help researchers understand complexities of social structures, interactions, and relationships.
Page 8: Micro-Level Analysis
Focus:
Small-scale, face-to-face interactions between individuals or small groups.
Examines social behavior, socialization, and relationships in intimate settings.
Associated with social psychology and symbolic interactionism.
Page 9: Meso-Level Analysis
Focus:
Social structures and institutions at the intermediate level (organizations, communities, networks).
Examines how relationships shape and are shaped by these structures.
Useful in studying social movements and community development.
Page 10: Macro-Level Analysis
Focus:
Large-scale social structures such as societies or nations.
Examines broader patterns and trends shaping social life (economic systems, political institutions).
Associated with structural functionalism and conflict theory.
Page 11: Global-Level Analysis
Focus:
Social phenomena at a global level (international relations, global economic systems).
Explores how global processes shape local contexts.
Useful in studying globalization and human rights.
Page 12: Importance of Understanding Levels of Analysis
Essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of social phenomena.
Helps identify relationships between analysis levels and recognize complexities of structures.
Informs policy and practice addressing social issues.
Page 13: Comprehensive Understanding of Social World
Considering multiple levels provides insights into social dynamics and helps develop effective solutions to social problems.
Page 14: Concept of Social Class
Definition:
Ranking of individuals/groups based on economic status, occupation, power, and resources.
Often used interchangeably with 'status' and 'position.'
Page 15: Components of Social Class
Wealth: Financial assets (savings, investments).
Income: Earnings from employment or investments.
Occupation: Type of work and its prestige level.
Education: Level of formal education linked to job access and social mobility.
Power: Ability to influence decision-making and control resources.
Page 16: Theories of Social Class
Marxist Theory:
Views class based on production ownership and exploitation.
Weberian Theory:
Multidimensional view of class focusing on wealth, income, education, and power.
Veblen's Theory:
Focuses on conspicuous consumption as means to display wealth and status.
Page 17: Types of Social Classes
Upper Class: High wealth, power, and prestige (e.g., executives, politicians).
Middle Class: Moderate wealth and occupation (e.g., professionals).
Working Class: Low wealth and education (e.g., blue-collar workers).
Lower Class: Very low wealth, poorly educated (e.g., unemployed, homeless).
Page 18: Social Mobility
Definition:
Ability to move up/down the social class ladder.
Influenced by factors like education and social connections.
Page 19: Concept of Social Status
Definition:
Refers to the position/rank of an individual or group within a hierarchy.
Associated with privileges, rights, and expectations in society.
Page 20: Ascribed Status
Definition:
Status assigned at birth or involuntarily acquired.
Characteristics: Fixed, influences opportunities, e.g., being born into nobility.
Page 21: Achieved Status
Definition:
Earned through choices, actions, and accomplishments.
Characteristics: More fluid, reflects personal merit (e.g., becoming a doctor).
Page 22: Key Aspects of Social Status
Social Stratification:
Key component impacting access to resources.
Influence on Life Experiences:
Affects interactions, self-perception, and societal perception.
Page 23: Role of Status in Society
Influences individual interactions and relationships.
Affects self-perception and perception by others.
Page 24: Status Symbols
Definition: Material signs indicating social status (e.g., luxury goods).
Reinforce social hierarchies and belonging.
Page 25: Status Inconsistency
Definition: Occurs when an individual holds differing statuses that confer various prestige levels.
Can cause social tension due to perceived discrepancies.
Page 26: Impact on Identity
Social status shapes identity, self-esteem, and worldview.
Individuals navigate statuses leading to behaviors aimed at maintaining perceived position.
Page 27: Understanding Social Status
Essential for grasping how hierarchies form and sustain social inequalities.
Page 28: Roles Gap Definition
Refers to discrepancies between expected behaviors and actual behaviors in social roles.
Page 29: Role Expectations vs. Role Performance
Gap may arise when societal expectations differ from actual role behaviors.
Page 30: Inter-role Conflict
Arises when competing demands from different roles create tension (e.g., parent vs. employee).
Page 31: Gender Roles
Discrepancies regarding expectations for men vs. women in various contexts can create a roles gap.
Page 32: Generational Roles
Different generations may hold varying expectations about roles, creating gaps in understanding and fulfillment.
Page 33: Socioeconomic Factors
Economic conditions can lead to a gap between aspirations and achievable roles.
Page 34: Cultural Context
Cultural expectations may not align with an individual's lived experience, leading to roles gap.
Page 35: Implications of Roles Gap
Personal Identity: Confusion about identity when gaps exist between expected and actual roles.
Social Dynamics: Can lead to misunderstandings and tensions in relationships.
Mental Health: Stress from bridging the roles gap can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Page 36: Conclusion on Roles Gap
Highlights significant dynamics involving societal expectations and individual behaviors in social roles.
Page 37: Definition of Social Institution
A complex set of beliefs, norms, and practices fulfilling fundamental functions for society.
Shapes individual behavior and interactions.
Page 38: Reiteration of Social Institution Definition
Functions similarly in creating structures and expectations for social life.
Page 39: Major Social Institutions
Family: Responsible for socializing children, providing support, and regulating reproduction.
Education: Transmits knowledge, prepares individuals for participation in society.
Page 40: More Major Social Institutions
Religion: Guides moral behavior and fosters community.
Economy: Influences wealth distribution and work patterns.
Page 41: Additional Social Institutions
Government: Creates/enforcing laws, maintaining order, and providing services.
Healthcare: Offers medical services and reflects values regarding health access.
Page 42: Media as a Social Institution
Shapes public opinion and cultural norms through disseminating information.
Page 43: Importance of Social Institutions
Contribute to social order and stability through established norms.
Foster social integration and can facilitate social change.
Page 44: Function of Social Institutions
Fundamental for understanding societal functioning and behavior.
Page 45: Definition of Societies
Complex systems of individuals sharing culture, history, geography, and structures.
Page 46: Types of Societies
Hunting Societies: Subsistence based on hunting/gathering.
Page 47: Pastoral and Agricultural Societies
Pastoral Societies: Reliant on livestock herding and breeding.
Agricultural Societies: Focused on crop cultivation and animal domestication.
Page 48: Industrial and Post-Industrial Societies
Industrial Society: Characterized by machinery and technology in production.
Post-Industrial Society: Focused on information, services, and technology over production.
Page 49: Other Types of Societies
Feudal Societies: Hierarchical with concentrated power among nobles.
Traditional Societies: Upheld customs with limited mobility/change.
Page 50: Global and Virtual Societies
Global Societies: Relationships across national borders influenced by globalization.
Virtual Societies: Online communities and networks merging physical and digital worlds.
Page 51: Characteristics of Societies
Cultural Complexity: Includes language, customs, values, and norms.
Social Hierarchy: Varying levels of power among individuals.
Page 52: Power Dynamics and Social Change
Societies exhibit varying power dynamics influencing action and movements.
Subject to change due to technological advancements and social movements.
Page 53: Importance of Understanding Societies
Fundamental for analyzing social phenomena, contributing to comprehension of individual behaviors.
Page 54: References
Macionis, J. J. 2013. Sociology, 15th edition, Pearson, USA.
Andersen, M.L., Taylor, H. F. 2012. Sociology: The Essentials, 7th edition, Cengage Learning, U.K.
Henslin, J.M. 2014. Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 11th edition, Pearson, UK.
Macionis, J. J. 2013. Sociology: A Global Introduction, Pearson Education, UK.
Ritzer, G. 2012. Sociological Theory, Tata McGraw Hill Education, USA.
Online Source: https://deepai.org/chat/free-chatgpt
Page 55: Conclusion
Thank you for your attention and inquiry.