Social Interaction

5 types of social interaction1. Exchange:

–Receiving in return for an action

–Reciprocity – (owe someone)–Exchange theory

• People are motivated by self-interest

• When cost of interaction outweighs benefit – end relationship

5 types of social interaction

2.Competition–Multiple people try to attain a

goal only one can–Can be positive or negative

5 types of social interactionConflict

–Deliberate attempt to control the will/actions of another

–4 sources: Georg Simmel• Wars• Groups• Legal disputes• ideology

What is the difference between competition and conflict?

Think of an example of conflict that has existed in:

- family- school- U.S.- world

5 types of social interaction4. Cooperation

–Working together to achieve a goal that will benefit many

5. Accommodation–Balance between cooperation

and conflict

Forms of AccommodationCompromiseTruceMediationArbitration

“Cooperation and accommodation is good;

competition and conflict are bad.”

Types of Social Interaction

Exchange Competition

ConflictCooperation

Accommodations

Formal Organizations

Formal Organization = large, complex secondary group

What is a bureaucracy?Bureaucracy – ranked group

structure…operates according to specific rules and procedures

“Everyone who has ever dealt with a bureaucracy seems to have complaints about them. Why is that?”

If everyone has complaints about bureaucracies, why do they exist?–Most efficient way for large

numbers of people to achieve specific goals

Weber’s Model

Division of laborRanking of authorityEmployment based on

formal qualificationsRules/regulationsPromotion

Division of labor

Work is divided among specialists–Various positions

–Specific duties

Ranking of authority

Clear cut lines of responsibility

Each individual reports to supervisor at a higher level

Employment based on formal qualifications

Specific qualifications are given for each job

Individuals hired on basis of tests, education and/or experience

Rules/regulations

Objective rules, regulations, and routine procedures–Exact responsibilities &

authority of each person on the staff

Promotion

Clear-cut linesRemain with the organization

= job security & seniority

List as many bureaucracies as you can think of that exist in American society.

What problems exist in some of these organizations?

Arguments against bureaucracies

Self-Continuance..goals of individuals lost

Red TapeOligarchyParkinson’s Law

–Work expands to fill time available for completion

Rationalization

When every aspect of human behavior becomes subject to measurement