Society, Culture, and Social Structures: An In-Depth Look
Social Stratification
Social stratification categorizes people in a hierarchical system. Caste systems, prevalent in agrarian societies, are based on ascription and allow little to no social mobility. Class systems, incorporating meritocracy, are found in high-income societies and permit social mobility based on individual achievement.
The Sociological Perspective
The sociological perspective demonstrates how the general operation of society influences the experiences of individuals.
The Structural-Functional Paradigm
The structural-functional paradigm explores how social structures work together to contribute to the overall operation of society.
The Social-Conflict Paradigm
The social-conflict paradigm emphasizes aspects of social inequality that lead to conflict and promote change.
Modernization and Dependency Theories
Modernization theory posits that successful development depends on breaking free from traditional cultural patterns and adopting advanced technology. Conversely, dependency theory argues that global wealth and poverty are historical outcomes of the capitalist world economy, initially due to colonialism and more recently, the activities of multinational corporations.
Gender and Social Stratification
Gender refers to the cultural meanings associated with being female or male. Because society grants men greater power and resources than women, gender is a significant dimension of social stratification.
Structural-Functional Analysis of Gender
Structural-functional analysis suggests that distinct roles for females and males in preindustrial societies reflect biological differences between the sexes.
Race and Ethnicity
Races are socially constructed categories used by societies to differentiate people based on physical traits. Ethnicity, on the other hand, is based on shared cultural heritage, not biology.
Prejudice and Pluralism
Prejudice involves rigid and biased generalizations about a category of people. Pluralism signifies that racial and ethnic categories, while distinct, have equal social standing.
Socialization and Social Structure
Socialization is the process through which individuals develop their humanity and unique identities. Social structure provides behavioral guidelines, making daily life predictable and understandable. A key component of social structure is status.
Roles and Ethnomethodology
A role is the dynamic expression of a status. Ethnomethodology aims to uncover the assumptions and understandings people have about their social world.
Social Groups and Leadership
Social groups are fundamental building blocks of society, connecting members and performing various tasks. Instrumental leadership focuses on achieving group goals, while expressive leadership prioritizes members’ morale and well-being.
Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy
Formal organizations are large secondary groups designed to perform complex tasks efficiently. They are categorized as normative, coercive, or utilitarian based on members’ reasons for joining. Bureaucratic organizations expand in modern societies to handle complex tasks efficiently. Bureaucracy relies on specialization, hierarchy, rules and regulations, technical competence, impersonal interaction, and formal written communication.
Ideal Bureaucracy and Its Challenges
While ideal bureaucracy promotes efficiency, it can also lead to alienation and oligarchy, and contribute to the erosion of personal privacy.
Culture and Human Survival
Culture encompasses the shared way of life of a society’s members. Although some species exhibit a limited capacity for culture, only humans depend on it for survival.