CH 4 MIDTERM
Know that the four basic components of social structure, components that show up in every society
1.) statuses 2.) roles 3.) groups 4.) institutions
Macionis notes that "a master status can be negative as well as positive." Understand what he means by this statement.
A master status can be negative as well as positive. Take, for example, serious illness. Sometimes people, even longtime friends, avoid cancer patients or people with AIDS because of their illnesses. As another example, the fact that all societies limit the opportunities of women makes gender a master status.
What is a role? Please note that "a person holds a status and performs a role."
A second important social structure is role, behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status. A person holds a status and performs a role
As Macionis notes on page 108, "As we present ourselves in everyday situations, we reveal information to others both consciously and unconsciously. Our performances include the way we dress (in theatrical terms, our costume), the objects we carry (props), and our tone of voice and gestures (our demeanor). In addition, we vary our performances according to where we happen to be (the set)." Besides understanding how these four terms (costumes, props, demeanor, and set) are used in sociological analysis, understand the example Macionis gives of the doctor's office and understand the distinction between "front region" and "back region" settings.
As we present ourselves in everyday situations, we reveal information to others both consciously and unconsciously. Our performance includes how we dress (in theatrical terms, our costume), the objects we carry (props), and our tone of voice and gestures (our demeanor). In addition, we vary our performance according to where we are (the set).
Macionis notes on page 102 that "both statuses and roles vary by culture." Understand his example of uncle.
Both statuses and roles vary by culture. In the United States, the status of "uncle" refers to the brother of a mother or a father. In Vietnam, the word for "uncle" is different on the mother's and father's sides of the family, and the two men have different responsibilities. In every society, actual role performance varies with an individual's unique personality, and some societies permit more individual expression of a role than others.
C.) Does humor "travel well"? Why or why not?
But because the world's people live in different cultures, humor rarely travels well.
What is dramaturgy (called dramaturgical analysis in your textbook), which was developed by Erving Goffman?
Dramaturgical analysis, the study of social interaction in terms of theatrical performance.
Macionis notes on page 111: "As carefully as individuals may try to craft their performances, slip-ups of all kinds occur. The result is embarrassment, discomfort following a spoiled performance. Goffman describes embarrassment as 'losing face'." Why is embarrassment "an ever-present danger"? What is tact, and why is it so common?
Embarrassment is an ever-present danger because idealized performances usually contain some deception. In addition, most performances involve juggling so many elements that one thoughtless moment can shatter the intended impression. Tact is helping someone "save face." Abraham Lincoln's comment that "tact is the ability to describe others the way they see themselves." Why is tact so common? Because embarrassment creates discomfort not just for the actor but for everyone else as well.
In the section of the book titled Gender and Performances, understand how gender is related to demeanor, the use of personal space, staring, smiling, and touching. Understand the process of idealization, especially as used by doctors, college professors, etc
Even so, Goffman suggests, we construct performances to idealize our intentions. That is, we try to convince others (and perhaps ourselves) that what we do reflects ideal cultural standards rather than selfish motives. Because women are socialized to respond to others, they tend to be more sensitive than men to nonverbal communication. Demeanor—the way we act and carry ourselves—is a clue to social power. Simply put, powerful people enjoy more freedom in how they act. Personal space refers to the surrounding area over which a person makes some claim to privacy. Eye contact encourages interaction. Although it often shows pleasure, smiling can also be a sign of trying to please someone or submission. Finally, mutual touching suggests intimacy and caring. Doctors, college professors, and other professionals, however, speak of their work as "careers" and typically idealize the motives for entering a chosen field. They describe their work as "making a contribution to science," "helping others," "serving the community," and even "answering a calling from God." Rarely do they admit the more common, less honorable, motives: the income, power, prestige, and leisure time that these occupations provide.
What does Macionis identify on page 109 as the "most important type of body language"? What other forms of nonverbal communication were mentioned?
Facial expressions, smiling, eye contact, and hand gestures
Please carefully read the online article titled Institutions (located in Blackboard under Non-Quiz Articles) and know what these institutions are. Institutions are a major focus of sociology. Please note that very small, nonindustrialized societies do not contain all of the institutions listed in this article.
Family, Religion, Economic System, Education, Political System, Legal System, Military, Science, Medicine, and Mass Media
Macionis notes on page 113 that "culture does play an important role in guiding human emotion." What are the three ways in which culture guides our emotions, according to Ekman?
First, Ekman explains, culture defines what triggers an emotion. Second, culture provides rules for the display of emotions. Third, culture guides how we value emotions.
E.) What are the functions of humor?
Humor is found everywhere because it works as a safety valve for potentially disruptive sentiments. People also use humor to relieve tension in uncomfortable situations. Having said something controversial, people can use humor to defuse the situation
Read the section of the textbook book titled Reality Play: The Social Construction of Humor, paying particular attention to the answers to the following questions: A.) What does humor have to do with the social construction of reality?
Humor is produced by the social construction of reality; it arises as people create and contrast two different realities. Generally, one reality is conventional, that is, what culture leads people to expect in a specific situation. The other reality is unconventional, an unexpected violation of cultural patterns. Humor arises from the contradictions, ambiguities, and double meanings found in differing definitions of the same situation.
F.) How is humor related to conflict?
Humor may be a source of pleasure, but it can also be used to put down other people. Real conflict can be masked by humor in situations where one or both parties choose not to bring the conflict out into the open
What does Macionis mean when he says that "in a few cases, name is a master status"?
In a few cases, name is a master status; being in the Bush or Kennedy family attracts attention and creates opportunities.
B.) Why is it frustrating to not "get" a joke that others understand?
In addition, getting the joke makes you an "insider" compared to those who don't get it. We have all experienced the frustration of not getting a joke: fear of being judged stupid, along with a sense of being excluded from a pleasure shared by others.
The framework that surrounds us, consisting of the relationships of people and groups to one another, which give direction to and set limits on behavior
James Henslin's definition of social structure
Any relatively stable pattern of social behavior
Macionis had defining social structure
What is a master status? What is a master status for most people in American society?
Master status---is a status that has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person's entire life. For most people, a job is a master status because it reveals a great deal about a person's social background, education, and income.
What it impression management (also referred to as presentation of self)?
Presentation of self, a person's efforts to create specific impressions in the minds of others.
Macionis notes on page 112 that "just as society guides our behavior, it guides our emotional life." According to Paul Ekman, which six basic emotions are expressed with the same facial features everywhere in the world, which suggests that "some emotional responses seem to be 'wired' into human beings"?
Six basic emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise. Ekman believes that some emotional responses are "wired" into human beings; that is, they are biologically programmed in our facial features, muscles, and central nervous system.
Read the short online article about social structure from Henslin's textbook Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach; it is titled College Football as Social Structure. I think it does an excellent job of making the concept of social structure very clear. It is located in Blackboard under Non-Quiz Articles.
Social Structure--- the framework around which a group exists. This goes on long before you where born and well after you find your status and play your role
Understand what is meant by the term social interaction.
Social interaction---the process by which people act and react in relation to others.
Stable cluster of values, norms, statuses, roles and groups that develops around a basic social need
Sociologist Ian Robertson defining an institution
What is a status? What is a status set?
Status---a social position that a person holds. Status set---refers to all the statuses a person holds at a given time.
Macionis notes that "sometimes a physical disability serves as a master status to the point where we dehumanize people by seeing them only in terms of their disability." Don't forget to read the box on page 103 for some discussion of physical disability as a master status.
TRUE Physical disability works in much the same ways as class, gender, or race in defining people in the eyes of others. In the following interviews, two women explain how a physical disability can become a master status—a trait that overshadows everything else about them.
On page 107, Macionis describes the impact of new social media on social interaction. As he points out, "some sociologists have argued that the rise of social media has connected people in new ways but weakened social ties among people who share physical space.
TRUE Social media refers to technology that links people in social activity.
Understand the concept of social construction of reality, an idea which is, as Macionis points out on page 105, "the foundation of the symbolic-interaction approach." Understand how "what people commonly call 'street smarts' is ... a form of constructing reality." Understand the Thomas theorem.
The social construction of reality is the process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction. Situations that are defined as real are real in their consequences. Applied to social interaction, the Thomas theorem means that although reality is initially "soft" as it is being shaped, it can become "hard" in its effects. In the case just described, local gang members saw Piri Thomas act in a worthy way, so in their eyes, he became worthy.
Understand the term emotion management. Which job was mentioned in the section of the book titled Emotions on the Job as an example of this process being required of employees?
airline flight attendant that we socially construct our emotions as part of our everyday reality, a process sociologists call emotion management.
Macionis notes on page 102 that "sociologists classify statuses in terms of how people attain them." Understand the differences between ascribed statuses and achieved statuses. Understand what Macionis means when he says the following: "In the real world ... most statuses involve a combination of ascription and achievement.
ascribed status a social position a person receives at birth or takes on involuntarily later in life. achieved status a social position a person takes on voluntarily that reflects personal ability and effort.. In the real world, of course, most statuses involve a combination of ascription and achievement. That is, people's ascribed statuses influence the statuses they achieve. People who achieve the status of lawyer, for example, are likely to share the ascribed benefit of being born into relatively well-off families.
What is ethnomethodology, created by Harold Garfinkel? What is a "good way to try to uncover the assumptions we make about reality"? What are the "predictable" results of doing so?
ethnomethodology, the study of the way people make sense of their everyday surroundings. This approach begins by pointing out that everyday behavior rests on a number of assumptions. One good way to try to uncover the assumptions we make about reality is to break the rules. The results are predictable, because we all have some idea of the "rules" of everyday interaction. The person will most likely become confused or irritated by your unexpected behavior
What is nonverbal communication?
nonverbal communication, communication using body movements, gestures, and facial expressions rather than speech.
What is role conflict? What is role strain?
role conflict as conflict among the roles connected to two or more statuses. Role strain refers to tension among the roles connected to a single status.
What is role exit? Understand what is involved in the process.
role exit, the process by which people disengage from important social roles. According to Ebaugh (1988), the process begins as people come to doubt their ability to continue in a certain role. As they imagine alternative roles, they ultimately reach a tipping point when they decide to pursue a new life. Even as they are moving on, however, a past role can continue to influence their lives. Exes carry with them a self-image shaped by an earlier role, which can interfere with building a new sense of self.
What is a role set? Make sure you understand the difference between a role set and a status set, as students often mix them up. (Study Figure 4-1 on page 104 for additional information; a status set of four statuses is shown on the inner circle, while four role sets are shown on the larger outside one).
role set a number of roles attached to a single status
D.) What kinds of jokes can "break through the culture barrier"? What topics are seldom joked about?
universal human experiences People's religious beliefs, tragic accidents, or appalling crimes are some of the topics of sick jokes or no jokes at all. Even years later, there have been no jokes about the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
