Social Structure (1 of 2)
When social structures break down,
so does social order.
How
are social
structures
similar
A powerful
recent
example
of thisto
Have
you ever
been in
aa situation
the
physical
structure
of
building?
was during Hurricane Katrina,
when
when you felt like the social structure
lootings and crime skyrocketed in
was foundation
weak or falling
apart?
Structural
keeps
structure
New Orleans.
upright and shape, constrain, and
enable all activities
What are the two key
components of
social structure?
Social Structure (2 of 2)
Roles and Social hierarchies found in
any society in which some groups or
individuals are elevated above others
Norms and Institutions made up of
laws, rules, organizations, and the
government in which individuals
navigate
What two critical reasons make
social hierarchies an important
component of a society’s
structure?
Social Hierarchies (1 of 2)
Standing in social hierarchies has
major impact on lives and life chances
Hierarchies shape social lives and
relationships in varied ways
Social Hierarchies (2 of 2)
Power and Privilege in Social Hierarchies
Dominant group
• Seeks to monopolize
opportunities or claims
on rewards
Subordinate group
• Subjected to inferior
status and limited
opportunities
Privilege Is Maintained through Discrimination
History is filled with examples of the power imbalance
within social structure. It can be seen in the capacity of
the powerful to influence the behavior of others, including
establishing laws that will exclude subordinate groups
and reproduce the power inequality.
Group Size and Social Hierarchies
Demography and Social Hierarchies
Critical trends
• Long-term decline
in agricultural
production and
employment
• Dramatic rise in
employment in
white-collar,
knowledge-based
occupations
Source: Marron (2009).
Enduring Customs as Institutions
Norms and Rules
What are the differences between norms
and formal rules?
• Norms: unwritten rules of society
• Rules: explicit guidelines for behavior
• Violation of rules can carry explicit
sanctions
Organizations and Governments as Institutions (1 of 2)
Government
Economic
institutions
of society
Schools
Religion
Why are the
institutions of the
government
critically important
to the overall
social structure?
Legal
system
Organizations and Governments as Institutions (2 of 2)
Institutions of government
Stand above institutional structure
of any society
Serve as ultimate expression of
powers of institutions
Provide policies and programs
related to social insurance and
social assistance
The Context of Social Interaction (2 of 2)
How does social structure create roles
and norms?
• Social structures provide processes that
reinforce roles and norms
• Socialization throughout the lifespan teaches
and trains us how to behave in society or in
particular social settings
Impact of Social Structure vs. Individual Choice
• Key question: How much do individuals impact the
world, and how much does the world impact
individuals?
• The critical question becomes how to weigh the
relative impact of social structure versus individual
choice. This is a truly important debate within both
sociology and the contemporary social sciences as a
whole.
• What is at issue in the debate over the relative impact
of social structure versus individual choice?
The Link Between Social Structure and Social Problems
Social
structures
Are
everywhere
Matter
deeply
Have
positive
features
Have
potential to
be harmful
when they
fail