Soc 100 C6 Social Interaction and Social Groups

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Soc 100 C6 Social Interaction and Social Groups
Edited 3/31/01
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Social Groups and Social Interaction
Microsociology exposes the hidden structure of
everyday social life, much of our social behavior
is regular predictable patterns (e.g. who
controls the TV remote control in your house?)

• 1. Social Interaction
• 2. Networks The Social Fabric
• 3. Social Groups

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1. Social Interaction
Social Interaction situation in which there is
interdependent mutual action. May be superficial,
deep, long lasting and complex, formal, free
formRegardless there are patterns.

• A. Cultural Scripts and Ethnomethodology
• B. Defining the Situation
• C. Presentation of Self (a), (b), (c)
• D. Negotiations and Face Work
• E. Exchange and Reciprocity

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A. Cultural Scripts and Ethnomethodology

• Symbolic Interactionists emphasize the role of
  language and other symbols. The following are
  variations of this perspective.
• Dramaturgical approach (Goffman, et. El.)
  analogy between real life and the stage
  (backstage and frontstage, support
  systemsprops, look the part).
• Ethnomethodology (Garfinkle et. El.) people
  rulesunconscious rules people use to maintain
  order and predictability in everyday life. Used
  breaching experiment, the violation of these
  rules to see response (Tom Green on TV,
  Something About Mary)
• B. Definition of the situation
• An overall idea of what is expected, a framework
  for social interaction. In some cases these are
  long term others we develop. Determines
  appropriate, sets limits.

Usually our patterns of interaction become so
ingrained they are unconscious
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C(a). Presentation of Self Social Identity

Each of us (according to Goffman) has an image of
how he/she wants to be seen by others Presentatio
n of Self the ways in which people attempt to
direct and control the impression of others and
how others see them.

• Social identity our sense of who and what we
  are, derives from the positions we occupy in
  society (student, son, friend), depends on
  looking glass self process, requires public
  validation
• Situational identities become dominant in certain
  settings, mommy social identity takes
  precedence at home over professional roles
• ______________________________________________
• Social identities serve to help us decide
  actions, give meaning to life, arise to provide
  meaning, often get jarred by reality

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C(b). Presentation of Self Fashion and Fitness

• Look the part, dress for success people look
  the part by requirements or choice policemen,
  businessman, doctor, judge, convict, an adult who
  dresses in blue jeans
• Fashion a relatively recent phenomenon created
  by production beyond essentials, trend creators,
  trend followers, found related to ambivalence and
  ambiguities in the culture. Fashion is followed
  by those in these positions (females, youth..)
• Examples of importance 50 billion a year spent
  on diets, cosmetics, plastic surgery, health
  clubs, etc, bulimia and anorexia of MC and UC
  females (review Narcerima). Unequal treatment of
  those not fitting overweight and unacceptable
  looks. Fitness is an earned status symbol of the
  middle class as something you enjoy a winning
  ticket by lower class

See a person in a suit and tie ask what is he
selling? (self, org, or..)
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C(c). Presentation of Self Negotiations and
Face -Work

• Deniable communications first hits at images
  actors want to play
• Face-work tendency for people to support (cover)
  in peoples impression management. People overlook
  mistakes and avoid embarrassment as The Last
  Taboo

Exchange and Reciprocity

• Norm of reciprocity expectation/demand, that we
  we respond in kind to certain behavior
• pervasive and powerful
• differs from strictly economic exchange in
  subtlety and pervasiveness. Involves intrinsic
  rewards, bodily pleasure, identity support
• in kind does not mean exact. Thoughtfulness,
  child giving you a picture they drew is
  acceptable exchange for a trip to Disneyland

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2. Networks The Social Fabric, Four Networks

"The Social Fabric"
Network the web of interconnections between
people
Micro-approach examination of actual
connections (e.g. -concern with
isolates in k-6 -types
clique, orbit, chain, ring) Macro-approach
search for statistical commonalty and
connections of work, religious...,categories
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3. Social Groups
Group number of people, common ID, interaction
A. What is a group B. Types of groups--Type I
Type II C. Size has an impact (dyad,
triad....) D. Groups and Behavior
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A. What is a group

Common sense aggregate a number of people,
close proximity
social category people who share a
characteristic job, SES, homeless...
Sociology Group collection of individuals with
a. shared identity b.
interact on regular basis c.
social structure--roles, status's, norms, etc.
d. consensus--broad agreement on
we, values...
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B(a). Types of group--Type I Type II

Primary small warm, intimate, personal
Secondary cool, impersonal, association,
instrumental
Primary Secondary Frequent
face to face Occasional or no face to face
Diffuse/multifaceted
Limited/focused relationship Relationship has
value Relationship is means to end High level
of intimacy Low level of intimacy Small size,
Small to large size members irreplaceable Memb
ers replaceable
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B(b). Other Group Type I and II Classifications
--not in text

• Type I Type II
• Maine Status Contract
• Cooley Primary
  Secondary
• Redfield Folk Modern
• Durkheim Organic
  Mechanistic
• Toennies Gemeinschaft Gesellschaft
• Weber Traditional Rational - legal

Common attributes, degree of intimacy, degree of
development,
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B(c). Other sociological "Groups"

Reference groups, groups we use to monitor and
evaluate ourselves positive--we want to
be like or approved by negative --we do
not want to be like or approved by
Functions normative, set and enforce
standards comparative, self esteem and
aspirations
(e.g. Stouffer study WW II promotion
satisfaction
in Army and Air Force) In-groups, groups to one
feels they are part of, source of loyalty
and respect Out groups, groups one feels opposed
to or in competition. Peer groups people who
share similar characteristics (often used to
refer to a category)
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C. Group size has an impact (dyad, triad....)

Dyad 2 people, highly fragile, depends on
commitment highly personal, loss of
one member--no group Triad 3 person, can
survive loss of one member, tendency
develop changing coalitions, etc. with
additional members the possibilities and
complexity expand "more people then more
rules are necessary
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(4) Groups and Behavior

• Leadership --requirements of group as much as
  individual
• 2 types seem to be needed
• a. expressive, specialist in
  interpersonal, conflict
• resolution, morale maintenance
• b. instrumental, coordinates group
  activities
• Styles laissez-faire (best for friends),
• democratic (best overall),
• directive/authoritarian (best for pressure
• situations, emergencies)

Individual attributes communicator, confident,
committed appearance Other Criteria-
participation, appearance, prestige (tall, good
looking?)
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Corporate Culture
Organizations and their environment
Organizational Ecology
Organizations or affected by cultural context
e.g. US (individualism exec pay, efforts,
conflict) Japan (lifetime employment,
collective performance group
cohesion, holistic concern for employees,
exec pay, consensus) Organizations have
a culture and it has a big effect e.g. Apple,
IBM, ATT, 3M, Bank of America (Old and New)
Organizations size and age are related to
characteristics of its actions and
possibilities (not in 6th ed.)
"Dinosaurs" Large old connected
to networks but lack flex "Dwarfs"
Small new not connected but have
flex, innovate Technical limitations
available resources, institutional limits
(e.g. health and anti smoking for tobacco
CEO's) Survival 50 not last 2 yrs, makes 10 yrs
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Group Influence

Conformity--not all bad in fact some degree a
necessary for a social animal

• Social Facilitation presence of others
  influences desires and performance
• Social Loafingpeople working toward common goal
  and not accountable for efforts (group projects)
• Reduce Inhibitions under some circumstances may
  encourage deviance or antisocial behavior (Rodney
  King, tower jumper, Halloween treats
• Groupthink once tentative decision made the
  focus is on rationalizing choice. Situations of
  cohesive group, stress, isolation (Pearl Harbor,
  Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, NASA Challenger)
• risky shift (group more likely to take chances)
• studies show not this is not
  universal
• polarization of position often characteristic of
  group discussion rather then change of position
  with info (jury studies)

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Juries

• Stating position increases commitment
• Having others express views increases commitment
  of those with same view
• Persuasive arguments most likely to cause
  dissenters to join majority in cases of fact
  (guilty or not guilty?)
• On value questions (how much jail time) group
  pressure factor
• Higher the status of juror the more the influence
• 9 of 10 cases majority favored verdict on first
  ballot
• Lone dissenters rarely prevail--hung juries more
  50/50
• Converts from majority to minority have more
  influence then other minority members
• Minority favoring acquittal more likely to make
  converts
• Deliberations often make jurors more lenient

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Concepts C6

• Presentation of self
• Primary group (211)
• Reference group (212)
• Secondary group (211)
• Social category (210)
• Social group (210)
• Social identity (203)
• Social interaction (199)

• Aggregate
• Definition of the situation (201)
• Ethnomethodology (200)
• In-Group (213)
• Network (207)
• Norm of reciprocity (206)
• Out group (213)
• Peer group (214)

Study Workbook Outline
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Organizational Ecology not in 6th ed.
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new S97
"The relationship between organizations and their
environment" e.g.. ATT 1950's---Today
(page 197)
(1) Importance of Networks (2) Environmental
opportunities (3) Environmental constraints
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-Defining the situation a collective process
determines appropriate, sets limits
(e.g. Husband ,Wife conversations Power
5th ed-p125)-Presentation of Self (Erving
Goffman) "All the worlds a
stage" Backstage / front stage
Support systems (look the part, props)
Negotiations and Face work
define-all have stake-"studied
nonobservance"-Exchange and Reciprocity "Norm
of Reciprocity" but not like economic
not respond with same (e.g. not same
dinner, gift..) response subtle and
diffuse (e.g. child's gift to Dad)
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(2) Introduction Social Interaction
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(d) Organizational Change Survival in
Futurenot in 6th ed
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50 do not survive 2 years --less then 10 make
10 years
The post entrepreneurial corporation
decentralization flexibility
focuses on what organization does best
institutionalizes channels for innovation jobs
more loosely defined employees
encouraged get involved, act on ideas
develop wide expertise basic
characteristics Opportunity seeking,
Creation oriented, person centered, results
oriented, flexible structure
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Quiz Chapter 6 S01
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• ______1. Who controls the remote in the typical
  family?
• ______2. An adult who dresses in jeans most of
  the time wants his/her identity to be seen as?
• ______3. Two friends eating lunch in the
  cafeteria are called (be specific, type of
  group)?
• ______4. A group one uses as a base of judgment,
  a base for evaluation of perceived
  accomplishments and failures is called?
• ______5. NASAs failure in the Challenger
  disaster was due, in part, to those involved
  supporting the initial decision rather then
  considering alternative information and
  decisions. This problem with decisions in groups
  is called?
• ______6. Linda helped her 7 year old daughter
  with her science project from 6 until 11 last
  night. This morning she found a picture the child
  had drawn placed with her purse as her thanks.
  What would sociologist call this exchange?
• ______7. A jury is taking a long time to
  deliberate, guess the decision.

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Quiz S01--ANSWERS
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• 1. Who controls the remote in the typical family?
  Male
• 2. An adult who dresses in jeans most of the time
  wants his/her identity to be seen as? Youthful,
  carefree a little rebellious
• 3. Two friends eating lunch in the cafeteria are
  called (be specific, type of group)? Primary
  group, informal group, dyad
• 4. 4. A group one uses as a base of judgment, a
  base for evaluation of perceived accomplishments
  and failures is called? Reference Gp
• 5. NASAs failure in the Challenger disaster was
  due, in part, to those involved supporting the
  initial decision rather then considering
  alternative information and decisions. This
  problem with decisions in groups is called?
  groupthink
• 6. Linda helped her 7 year old daughter with her
  science project from 6 until 11 last night. This
  morning she found a picture the child had drawn
  placed with her purse as her thanks. What would
  sociologist call this exchange? norm of
  reciprocity
• 7. A jury is taking a long time to deliberate,
  guess the decision. Hung, more lenient,
  (acquittal ½ point-- not exactly stated)

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QuizW99
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1. The major theoretical position (model) in
sociology that examines the relationship between
the individual and society is called? 2. Fashion
is an identity. An adult who dresses in jeans
most of the time wants his/her identity to be
seen as? 3. A collection of people who just
happen to be in the same place at the same time
(students crossing between the bookstore, DDH and
the cafeteria at noon) are called? 4. One
characteristic of a social group. 5. Two friends
eating lunch in the cafeteria are called (be
specific, type of group)?
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QuizW99

• 6. A group one uses as a base of judgment
  (determines good or bad, uses as a base for
  evaluation of accomplishments) is called?
• 7. Which size group is the most fragile?
• 8. Group members are sometimes likely to make
  chancy decisions they would not as individuals
  make. What do sociologist call this behavior?
• 9. NASAs failure in the Challenger disaster was
  due, in part, to those involved supporting the
  initial decision rather then considering
  alternative information and decisions. This
  problem with decisions in groups is called?
• 10. I helped my child with her science project
  from 6 until 11 last night. This morning I found
  a picture she had drawn placed with my class
  notes as her thanks. What would sociologist call
  this exchange?

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QuizW99A
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___________________1. The major theoretical
position in sociology that examines the
relationship between the individual and society
is called? Symbolic Interaction,
ethnomethodology, (1/2)socialization ___________
________2. An adult who dresses in jeans most of
the time wants his/her identity to be seen as?
Youthful, carefree, a little rebellous _________
__________3. A collection of people who just
happen to be in the same place at the same time
(students crossing between the bookstore, DDH and
the cafeteria at noon) are called?
aggregate ___________________4. One
characteristic of a social group. Shared ID,
interact regularly, social structure,
consensus ___________________5. Two friends
eating lunch in the cafeteria are called (be
specific, type of group)? Primary group,
informal group, dyad
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QuizW99A

• 6. A group one uses as a base of judgment
  (determines good or bad, use as base for
  evaluation of accomplishments) is
  called?Reference group
• 7.Which size group is the most fragile dyad
• 8. Group members are sometimes likely to make
  chancy decisions they would not as individuals
  make. What do sociologist call this behavior?
  riskyshift
• ___________________9. NASAs failure in the
  Challenger disaster was due, in part, to those
  involved supporting the initial decision rather
  then considering alternative information and
  decisions. This problem with decisions in groups
  is called? groupthink
• __________________(10) I helped my child with her
  science project from 6 until 11 last night. This
  morning I found a picture she had drawn placed
  with my class notes as her thanks. This
  sociologist call norm of reciprocity

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