Chapter 4Chapter 4

Section 2:Section 2:

Structures of Groups and SocietiesStructures of Groups and Societies

What is a What is a groupgroup??

a set of two or more people who interact a set of two or more people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and on the basis of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common who possess some degree of common identity.identity. can be very small or very largecan be very small or very large can be very intimate or very formalcan be very intimate or very formal

Four requirements for a group Four requirements for a group

There must be two or more peopleThere must be two or more people There must be interactionThere must be interaction The members of the group must have shared The members of the group must have shared

expectationsexpectations The members must possess some degree of The members must possess some degree of

common identitycommon identity The last three of the above requirements are the factors The last three of the above requirements are the factors

that distinguish a group from an aggregate or a social that distinguish a group from an aggregate or a social category.category.

Three of the most common ways in which Three of the most common ways in which groups differ are in terms of:groups differ are in terms of:

TimeTime OrganizationOrganization Size:Size:

DyadDyad: two members, smallest group : two members, smallest group possiblepossible

TriadTriad: three members: three members Small groupSmall group: no more than fifteen : no more than fifteen

membersmembers

Types of groups Types of groups

PrimaryPrimary: direct and personal: direct and personal SecondarySecondary: impersonal and temporary: impersonal and temporary ReferenceReference: with whom you identify with and : with whom you identify with and

whose attitudes and values you often adoptwhose attitudes and values you often adopt IngroupIngroup: the group you belong to and : the group you belong to and

identify withidentify with OutgroupOutgroup: any group you do not belong to or : any group you do not belong to or

identify withidentify with

What are your Ingroups & What are your Ingroups & Outgroups?Outgroups?

With your group make a list of the “names” With your group make a list of the “names” given to the various groups that exist within given to the various groups that exist within Paulding High School:Paulding High School: JocksJocks PrepsPreps Band Geeks, Choir Q’sBand Geeks, Choir Q’s Pot Heads, DruggiesPot Heads, Druggies SkatersSkaters EmoEmo GothGoth Gangster Wunnabes Gangster Wunnabes

Symbols that separate groups:Symbols that separate groups:

With your group discuss and list the various With your group discuss and list the various symbols used to distinguish each of these symbols used to distinguish each of these groups from one another:groups from one another: Name givenName given Clothing styleClothing style Hair and Make-upHair and Make-up Jewelry Jewelry Vocabulary usedVocabulary used

An illustration of ingroup/outgroup An illustration of ingroup/outgroup relations:relations:

Most ingroups exhibit three Most ingroups exhibit three characteristics characteristics

Group members tend to separate themselves Group members tend to separate themselves from other groups through the use of from other groups through the use of symbolssymbols

Members view themselves in terms of Members view themselves in terms of positive images, while they view outgroups positive images, while they view outgroups in negative termsin negative terms

Ingroups generally compete with outgroupIngroups generally compete with outgroup

Social NetworksSocial Networks

Web of relationships that is formed by the Web of relationships that is formed by the sum total of a person’s interactions with sum total of a person’s interactions with othersothers

Includes both direct and indirect relationshipsIncludes both direct and indirect relationships Do not have clear boundariesDo not have clear boundaries Do not give rise to a common sense of identityDo not give rise to a common sense of identity Provide us with a feeling of community and with Provide us with a feeling of community and with

opportunities for career and social advancement.opportunities for career and social advancement.

Types of SocietiesTypes of Societies

Most common way sociologists Most common way sociologists classify societies:classify societies:– By their Subsistence StrategyBy their Subsistence Strategy

Simple------------------------------ComplexSimple------------------------------Complex Division of Labor increases along the Division of Labor increases along the

continuumcontinuum Used as the basis to classify societies Used as the basis to classify societies

as either Preindustrial, Industrial, or as either Preindustrial, Industrial, or PostindustrialPostindustrial

Preindustrial SocietiesPreindustrial Societies

Hunting and GatheringHunting and Gathering PastoralPastoral HorticulturalHorticultural AgriculturalAgricultural

– Barter replaced by actual money Barter replaced by actual money exchangeexchange

Industrial SocietiesIndustrial Societies

Use of machines increases productionUse of machines increases production– Can support more peopleCan support more people– Reduces the need for farm laborReduces the need for farm labor– Increases the industrial work forceIncreases the industrial work force– Production moves from home to factoriesProduction moves from home to factories

UrbanizationUrbanization

– Goal is efficiency… reduces the level of skillGoal is efficiency… reduces the level of skill– Mandatory educationMandatory education– Religious competitionReligious competition– Status competitionStatus competition

Postindustrial SocietiesPostindustrial Societies

Production of informationProduction of information Provision of servicesProvision of services Standard of living increasesStandard of living increases Wider range of job opportunitiesWider range of job opportunities Increased emphasis on educationIncreased emphasis on education Future dependent on technological Future dependent on technological

advancesadvances Emphasis on social equality and Emphasis on social equality and

democracydemocracy

Contrasting SocietiesContrasting Societies

Durkheim:Durkheim:– Mechanical solidarity……….preindustrialMechanical solidarity……….preindustrial– Organic solidarity…………….industrialOrganic solidarity…………….industrial

Tonnies:Tonnies:– Gemeinschaft…………………preindustrialGemeinschaft…………………preindustrial– Gesellschaft……………industrial/Gesellschaft……………industrial/

postindustrialpostindustrial