Chapter 4Chapter 4

Social StructureSocial StructurePreview QuizPreview Quiz

Roles and statuses are Roles and statuses are the building blocks of the building blocks of

social structuresocial structure

TRUE !TRUE !When people are aware of When people are aware of

their roles and statuses and their roles and statuses and act accordingly, society act accordingly, society

functions more smoothly!functions more smoothly!

Sociologists believe that Sociologists believe that how a society is how a society is

“structured” can greatly “structured” can greatly affect the way people affect the way people and groups behave.and groups behave.

TRUE !TRUE !Remember the structure of Remember the structure of Ireland from the movie Far Ireland from the movie Far

and Away and how it affected and Away and how it affected Irish Catholics?Irish Catholics?

““Role expectations” are Role expectations” are the ways in which the ways in which

people act while in their people act while in their a role.a role.

FALSE !FALSE !

Role expectations are Role expectations are how people how people shouldshould act act

in a role.in a role.

The U.S. is currently The U.S. is currently functioning as a “post-functioning as a “post-

industrial” society.industrial” society.

TRUE !TRUE !That is because our That is because our

economy is largely based economy is largely based on information services on information services

and no as much and no as much manufacturing!manufacturing!

Groups serve a variety Groups serve a variety of beneficial functions for of beneficial functions for the overall workings of a the overall workings of a

society.society.

TRUE !TRUE !

Groups are the Groups are the foundation of all social foundation of all social

life in societies!life in societies!

Negotiations underlie Negotiations underlie much of our social much of our social

behavior.behavior.

TRUE !TRUE !Because most elements of Because most elements of

social structure are not static, social structure are not static, they are subject to change they are subject to change

through bargaining and through bargaining and exchanging. exchanging.

Sociologists use “status” Sociologists use “status” to describe only the to describe only the

influence, wealth, and influence, wealth, and fame of a person.fame of a person.

FALSE !FALSE !Sociologists use status to refer to Sociologists use status to refer to any of the full range of socially any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large defined positions within a large

group or society - from the lowest group or society - from the lowest to the highest position. to the highest position.

A master status is a status A master status is a status that dominates others and that dominates others and

thereby determines a person's thereby determines a person's general position in a society. general position in a society.

TRUE !TRUE !

This status usually plays This status usually plays the greatest role in the greatest role in

shaping a person’s life shaping a person’s life and identity!and identity!

Tiger Woods’ “master Tiger Woods’ “master status” would be status” would be

“husband.”“husband.”

FALSE !FALSE !

The master status of Tiger The master status of Tiger Woods would be Woods would be

professional golfer!professional golfer!

The government and The government and most school districts are most school districts are

examples of examples of “bureaucracies.”“bureaucracies.”

TRUE !TRUE !Governments and school districts Governments and school districts

have a structured hierarchy of have a structured hierarchy of authority with specific, written rules authority with specific, written rules

and procedures!and procedures!

““Role conflict” describes the Role conflict” describes the difficulty in achieving success difficulty in achieving success in one of the many roles that in one of the many roles that

people have. people have.

FALSE !FALSE ! This describes “role strain.” “Role This describes “role strain.” “Role

conflict” describes a situation when a conflict” describes a situation when a person has trouble achieving two or person has trouble achieving two or

more roles at the same time!more roles at the same time!

From a conflict perspective, From a conflict perspective, major institutions, such as major institutions, such as

education, help to maintain the education, help to maintain the privileges of the most powerful privileges of the most powerful individuals and groups within a individuals and groups within a society, while contributing to the society, while contributing to the

powerlessness of others. powerlessness of others.

TRUE !TRUE !

Typical Conflict Typical Conflict Theorist statement!Theorist statement!

The first type of pre-industrial The first type of pre-industrial society to emerge in human society to emerge in human history was the “horticultural history was the “horticultural

society.” society.” (primitive farming w/o advanced (primitive farming w/o advanced

technology)technology)

FALSE !FALSE !

Simple “hunting and Simple “hunting and gathering”gathering”

was first!was first!