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Social Structure

Social Structure. Chapter 4. Two Major Components of Social Structure. Status- a socially defined position in a group or society Role- the behavior; the rights and obligations expected of someone occupying a status. Status.

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Social Structure

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  1. Social Structure Chapter 4

  2. Two Major Components of Social Structure • Status- a socially defined position in a group or society • Role- the behavior; the rights and obligations expected of someone occupying a status.

  3. Status • Each individual in society occupies several statuses at the same time. • Ex. Teacher, wife, mother, white American • A way of defining where individuals fit into society and how they relate to others in society.

  4. Ascribed Status • Assigned according to qualities beyond a person’s control • Not based on an individual’s abilities, efforts or accomplishments. • Based on inherited traits or assigned automatically when a person reaches a certain age • Ex. Race, sex, family heritage

  5. Achieved Status • Acquired by individuals through their own direct efforts that include special knowledge, skills or abilities • Ex. Basketball player, college graduate, pianist.

  6. Master Status • Plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his/her social identity. • Can be either achieved or ascribed. • Usually achieved in the U.S. • Changes over a lifetime. • Ex. studentdoctorgrandparent

  7. Journal #1 - Status • Divide your page into three columns with the following headings: Ascribed Achieved Master • Pick ONE of the individuals on the next slide and identify their ascribed, achieved, and master statuses.

  8. Roles • Bring statuses to life. You occupy a status BUT you play a role. • At school you might play roles associated with student or friend. • At home with son/daughter, sibling

  9. Reciprocal Roles • Corresponding roles that define the pattern of interaction between related statuses. • Ex. Teacher/student • Husband/wife • Doctor/patient • Role cannot be fulfilled without someone else playing the reciprocal part.

  10. Role Expectations • Socially determined behaviors of a person performing a role. • Teachers are expected to instruct and provide a learning environment for their students.

  11. Role Performance • Actual role behavior does not always meet role expectations. • Ex. A doctor may not give care. • Some parents mistreat their children • This happens when role behaviors seen as appropriate by some are inappropriate to society as a whole.

  12. Role Conflict/Role Strain • Role conflict occurs when the fulfilling roles of one status makes it difficult to fulfill the roles of another. • Ex. Good employee vs.. good parent • Role strain occurs when a person has difficulty meeting the role expectations of a single status. • Ex. bossmoralepay cuts

  13. Journal #2: Roles/Status • 1)  List (write up and down) as many statuses as you can for yourself. • 2)  Next to your list, label EACH as either ascribed or achieved. • 3)  Circle the Master Status. • 4) Underline two of the statuses. For these two, list all of the roles included with performing the status. • 5) List ways in which role performance issues might arise. • 6) Indicate one area where you experience role conflict and one where you experience role strain. Why does this occur?

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