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– Definition = Network of interrelated statuses and roles that

guide human interaction.

– Social structures are made of statuses Socially defined positions in a society

– Doctors– Teachers– Parents

Know Your Role

Social Status are made up of statuses.

Statuses have an individual role in society

– Behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status.

Ascribed Status

Ascribed Status– Is assigned according to

qualities beyond a person’s control.

– Example Being a teenager Race

Achieved Status

Acquired through an individual’s efforts including learning special skills

– Doctors– Attorneys– Military – Professional athlete

Master Status

Status that shapes a person’s role in society.

– Grandparent– Doctor– Mom and Dad

Reciprocal Roles

Corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses.

– Coach v. athlete– Teacher v. student

Role Expectations

Socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role. – Doctors having bedside manner. – Parents taking care of children.

In reality = role performance– Actual role behavior of person in life.

Role Conflict

Statuses sometimes have many roles in society. – Teacher– Husband– Brother– Friend

Role Conflict– 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