Chapter 4.1 Building Blocks of Social Structure
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Transcript Chapter 4.1 Building Blocks of Social Structure
Chapter 4.1 Building Blocks of Social
Structure
Status and roles make
individuals react to a
society. Let’s see how.
Social Structure
Social Structure gives a society its characteristics
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Definition = Network of interrelated statuses and roles that
guide human interaction.
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Social structures are made of statuses
Socially defined positions in a society
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Doctors
– Teachers
– Parents
Know Your Role
Social Status are made
up of statuses.
Statuses have an
individual role in
society
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Behavior expected of
someone occupying a
particular status.
Ascribed Status
Ascribed Status
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Is assigned according to
qualities beyond a
person’s control.
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Example
Being a teenager
Race
Achieved Status
Acquired through an
individual’s efforts
including learning
special skills
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Doctors
Attorneys
Military
Professional athlete
Master Status
Status that shapes a
person’s role in society.
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Grandparent
Doctor
Mom and Dad
Reciprocal Roles
Corresponding roles
that define the patterns
of interaction between
related statuses.
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Coach v. athlete
Teacher v. student
Role Expectations
Socially determined behaviors expected of a
person performing a role.
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Doctors having bedside manner.
Parents taking care of children.
In reality = role performance
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Actual role behavior of person in life.
Role Conflict
Statuses sometimes have many roles in society.
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Teacher
Husband
Brother
Friend
Role Conflict
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Occurs when fulfilling the role expectations of one status
makes it difficult to fulfill the other roles.
Good teacher = take time to prepare
Good husband = take time out for wife