Social Groups and Formal Organizations

Michael ItagakiSociology 101

Social Groups Groups

People who share something in

common Non-groups

Aggregate Category

Social Groups Primary Groups

Intimate face-to-face interaction

Help form ideals of individuals

Secondary Groups Larger, more formal More anonymous, less

personal

Social Groups Iron Law of Oligarchy

Voluntary associationsGirl Scouts, Boy ScoutsChurches, VFW, AA

Leadership forms from within

Social Groups In-Groups

Loyalty Out-Groups

Antagonism

Social Groups In-Groups Out-Groups Can shape our identity

Stereotypes/rivalries Favoritism, biases De-humanizing

Social Groups Reference Groups

Standards to evaluate ourselves Social Networks

The links between our cliques,clusters, groups of friends

500 to 2,500 acquaintances Not as beneficial for people of

color,poor, and women

Social Groups Electronic Groups

Class discussion Which ones are you a part of? How frequent is your contact? What are

advantages/disadvantages? Is this a new way to connect?

Or is it a barrier

Social Groups Electronic Groups

Class discussion—Advantages/Disadvantages

Advantages: Convenience Communicate w/those far away Gather new information Free of charge; ideas w/o

emotions Quiet/anonymous/secretive

Social Groups Electronic Groups

Class discussion—Advantages/Disadvantages

Disadvantages: Security issues (I.D. theft) Lies/deceit/fraud Miscommunication, words get

twisted Makes us lazy/obese? & less

sociable Negatively impacts some businesses

Social Groups Electronic Groups

Class discussion—Is this a new wayto connect? Or is it a barrier

Connect: Stay connected w/people, eliminate

geographical barriers Opens up people who are shy Can learn depth of real person,

personality Connect to real world: Travel

info/Paris

Social Groups Electronic Groups

Class discussion—Is this a new wayto connect? Or is it a barrier

Barrier: Can’t build deeper relationships Can meet dangerous people Impairs growth, overcoming shyness Can paralyze us, spend hrs. myspace Danger of access of information Barrier to real world/no need to go

outside

Bureaucracy Clear levels of assignments,

flowing downward w/accountability flowing upward

Division of Labor Written Rules Written Communication and

Records Impersonality

Peer Pressure and Authority

Review of “Power of the Situation” video Leadership styles:

AuthoritarianDemocraticLaissez-faire

Peer Pressure and Authority

Review of Asch and Milgram experiments Asch and Lines Milgram & Shocks

How would you have reacted?

Peer Pressure and Authority

Review of Asch and Milgram experiments How would you have reacted?

Groupthink Milgram and power of authority Tunnel vision, where group

members think alike Only one “correct” viewpoint Disagreement, alternative

explanations are signs of disloyalty

Common in military/political decisions