SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Social structure
= sets of norms, rules, values, attitudes, sanctions for behavior learned through social interaction:= social influences on social interaction
=sets of organized behavior
=social forces
= all of the above made by people over time and place to "ease" daily routines
= assumptions for living
Examples of Social Structure:
Social structure influences how you behave:
Examples
**Beware Reification
Change in one social structure leads to change in another:
Example: technology® work® family® economy
"McDonaldization"
Occurs through changes in our meanings, values, expectations (norms) which shapes social interaction
Perspectives on Social Structure
Functionalism:
"parts all work to make whole"
If social structure exists, it must be necessary for stability of that interaction
Conflict
Some people have more to say in "creating" the social structure, in changing it
Some people benefit more from the "social structure"
Interactionism
We constantly either reinforce the status quo (social structure) or contest it through our daily life behavior
Constant negotiation of within and across "social structure"
Our meanings, values, attitudes, beliefs all influenced by existing norms, rules, values, etc..
Those meanings, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc.. are learned/adopted by interacting with other people
Those meanings, values, attitudes, beliefs, etc.. can be changed by refusing to follow suit in our daily lives….
Some people's daily lives have more influence than others…
Groups of people refusing to follow suit has more influence…
*Use all 3 theoretical perspectives to understand a social problem
Social Structure in Applied Sociology
May need to build or revise existing social structure
Or evaluate an existing social structure
Examples:
Where is there no social structure?
Where is there a social structure in need of revision? A gap between real and ideal social practices?
What social structure might you evaluate?
Social structure = X variable (independent)
Social structure = Y variable (dependent)
If project is about social structure, ask yourself and the client the following questions:
Functionalism
What are the structures in play? Norms, values, rules, etc.
How are they created?
How do they change?
How does change influence other social structures?
Example: Work Re-engineering
Conflict
Who controls the rules, norms, etc..?
Who benefits from those rules?
Example: Employee Satisfaction (raises)
Interactionism
What drives people’s behavior in this setting? What are people’s wants and needs?
What are the perceptions of different group of people in this setting? Particularly about the norms, rules, etc. (social structure)?
Example: Habitat for Humanity (volunteering)
Ask questions from all 3 perspectives:
Example. How can we help students do better in school?
Functionalism and Conflict Approaches: food, school supplies, school trips, health care, day/after school care
*Sometimes building a social structure isn’t enough. Sometimes need to influence behavior at micro levels
Interactionist Approach: Understand learning process and what influences it. Interviews with parents and children. Programs on how to study, tutoring, mentoring, etc..