Sociology

Ms. Blackhurst

Introduction to Groups PowerPoint Discuss key items, complete class

activities HW: Group Web

Discuss the need for conformity in a society within the context of the problems that can arise with following norms blindly.

Identify and explain the relationship between norms and laws in society and the society’s values.

Explain how differences between subcultures exist within a culture.

Consists of two or more people who… Interact in patterned ways Have a feeling of unity Share certain common interests and expectations

Primary Groups People who regularly interact and have close and

long-lasting relationships Secondary Groups

People who interact on a formal and impersonal basis to accomplish a specific objective

Group —at least two people who have one or more goals in common and share common ways of thinking and behaving

Dyad Social group with

two members. Social interaction in

a dyad is typically more intense than in larger groups because neither

member shares the other's attention with anyone else.

Triad Social group with three

members, which contains three

relationships, each uniting two of the three

people. More stable than a dyad

because one member can act as a mediator should the relationship between the other two

become strained.

In regular contact with each other Share some ways of thinking, feeling, and

behaving Take one another’s behavior into account One or more goals in common

People who are emotionally close, know one another well and seek one another’s company

Ex: Family, childhood play groups, close friends, neighbors

“We” Enjoy each other Primary Relationships:

PersonalCaringFulfilling relationships

Small size Face-to-Face Contact Continuous Contact Proper Social Environment

Emotional Support Socialization Encourage Conformity

Impersonal Goal oriented Purpose of the group is to accomplish a

task, not to enrich friendshipsEx: Work groups, sports teams, volunteers

Secondary relationships—clerk & customer, employers & workers, dentists & patients

There can be some primary relationships in a secondary group Ex: two friends (primary) on the field hockey team

(secondary)

A. A marine recruit & his drill instructor at boot camp ___________________________

B. A married couple __________________C. A coach & his soccer team __________D. A teacher & his student _____________E. A car salesperson and her potential

customer _________________________

Small group size Face-to-face contact Continuous contact Interaction on the basis of status or role

_________________________________

Read pages 69-72, then define and give an example of each of these six terms:

Conflict Coercion Conformity Cooperation Social Exchange

A form of interaction in which individuals or groups combine their efforts to reach a goalUsually occurs when…

Reaching a goal demands the best use of limited resources and effortsExamples: survivors of a plane crash in the mountains;

victims of natural disasters

Exists outside of emergencies as wellExamples: rules for games; sharing household duties

Groups or individuals that work against one another for a larger share of the rewards.Defeating the opponent is essential

Social Benefits of Conflict:Promotes cooperation and unity within opposing

groups Example: A neighborhood bully can bring together 2

brothers who usually don’t get along.Draws attention to social inequities

Examples: Civil Rights activists in the 60s convinced Congress to make laws to ensure basic rights and freedoms to all people.

A voluntary action performed in the expectation of getting a reward in returnBenefit to be earned rather than the

relationship itself that is key Example: You help a friend wash her car, she

then helps you study for a test

Individuals or groups are forced to give in to the will of other individuals or groupsOne-way street; central element is

domination May occur through: physical force

(imprisonment, torture, or death)Example: Prisoners of war can be forced to

reveal information to enemies. More often through: social pressure (ridicule,

rejection, withdrawal of affection)Example: Parents can control behavior of

young children by threatening to withdraw privileges.

Behavior that matches group expectationsAdapt behavior to fit behavior of those

around us Necessary for culture and social structure

ChurchFamilyUniversityGovernment

1. Blood donors expect payment2. Students read what a teacher

assigns3. Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait4. Flood victims help each other5. Employees are forced to work

overtime or be fired

a. Cooperation b. Conflict c. Social Exchange

d. Coercion e. Conformity

Giving a list of 10 places that social exchange might occur.

Then describe the type of interaction using your terms from yesterday.

Family dinner Conversation at

lunch with friends Discussions at the

UN A bully picking on a

freshman

Self-deceptive thinking that is based on conformity to group beliefs, and created by group pressure to conformDiscourages members from expressing their

concerns about group decisions Examples: JFK’s Bay of Pigs Invasion, Personal

examples???

Why would you say you agree with other people in the group if you really don’t?

Because we have been taught to conform!

Group Think isn’t always a negative thing!

Because of the difficulty of going against decisions made by the group, some sociologists believe that Groupthink exists

Happens when group members agree to conform rather than express their true feelings or beliefs

It appears as if the group agrees but they really don’t

Can lead to ineffective or destructive consequences

In-Group Group with which people identify and have a sense

of belonging “we”

Out-Group Group that people do not identify with and consider

less worthy and less desirable than their own “they”

In-Groups and Out-Groups

Reference Groups—group used for self-evaluation and the formation of attitudes, values, beliefs, and norms

Social Network—all of a person’s social relationships make up his or her social network

Aggregate – based on proximity at a give time. Ex: people in line at Starbucks or a political rally

Dr. Stanley Milgram’s Obedience to Authority Experiment

Dr. Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiments

Create a web diagram of the primary & secondary groups to which you belong

Include at least three primary & three secondary groups

Then explain the function of each of these groups in your life

You may do as a poster or using a web program (PPT, Prezi, Paint)

Ms. Blackhur

st

Ms. Blackhur

st

Friends at home

PRIMARY

Check out at giant eagleSECONDAR

Y

Graduate Course

SECONDARY

Dr. ApptSECONDAR

Y

FamilyPRIMARY

Friends at work

PRIMARY

PTHSBOTH

Co-workersSECONDAR

Y

Complete the primary and secondary group assignment!

You must have at least 8-10 groups on your sheet when you finish.

Due next class