Understanding Groups, Sexuality, Deviance, and Stratification
Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations
Difference Between Group and Crowd
People in groups interact constantly, whereas in a crowd, they might not necessarily interact.
Difference Between Primary and Secondary Groups
A primary group is a close-knit group, such as family. A secondary group is a larger, more impersonal group, such as co-workers.
Instrumental and Expressive Leadership Roles
- Instrumental: Task-oriented
- Expressive: People-oriented
Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles
- Authoritarian: The leader makes decisions.
- Democratic: Members are involved in decision-making.
- Laissez-Faire: People work independently.
Milgram’s Shock Study and Leadership
Using electric shocks to elicit information is considered unethical.
Dyads and Triads
- Dyad: A group of two members, characterized by intimacy.
- Triad: A group of three members, which is more stable than a dyad.
Importance of Social Networks and Weak Ties
Weak ties are important because they help us develop professionally.
Weber on the Harmful Effects of Bureaucratic Organizations
Bureaucracies can be overly rational and highly efficient, leading to negative consequences.
Merton on Bureaucratic Ritualism
Bureaucratic ritualism refers to a focus on rules and procedures at the expense of goals.
Chapter 6: Sexuality and Society
Sex vs. Gender
Sex is the biological distinction between males and females. Gender is cultural, referring to behavior, power, and privileges attached to being male or female.
Intersexuality
Intersexual individuals possess some combination of female and male genitalia.
Cultural Variation in Sexual Practices
Cultural variations exist in showing affection, sexual positions, notions of modesty, and restrictions placed upon openness.
Incest Taboo
The incest taboo forbids sexual relations between relatives. It is rooted in biology and found in every society.
Homophobia
Public attitudes are moving toward greater acceptance of homosexuality.
Prostitution Prevalence from a Global Perspective
Prostitution is not universally allowed globally.
Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality
- Structural-Functional: Need to regulate sexual behavior.
- Symbolic-Interaction: Social construction of sexuality varies from culture to culture.
- Conflict Theoretical: Inequality perpetuates through sexuality, queer theory.
Asexuality
Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction.
Prostitution as a Victimless Crime
Many women are kidnapped, violated, and abused in prostitution, leading to crackdowns.
Chapter 7: Deviance
Deviance and Crime
Deviance is the breaking of a norm. Crime is the violation of society’s formally enacted criminal law.
Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system is the formal response (police, courts, etc.) to alleged violations of the law.
Social Foundations of Deviance
Rule-breaking involves social power.
- Deviance varies according to cultural norms; no action is inherently deviant.
- People become deviant as others define them that way.
Merton’s Strain Theory
- Conformity: Accept the goal and the means.
- Innovation: Accept the goal but reject the means.
- Ritualism: Reject the goal but accept the means.
- Retreatism: Reject both the goal and the means.
- Rebellion: Create new goals and means.
Cloward and Ohlin on Deviant Subcultures
Opportunities are limited, and deviant subcultures may turn to dealing drugs to earn money.
Primary and Secondary Deviance
Primary deviance is an initial act of deviance. Secondary deviance occurs when an individual accepts the label of deviant.
Medicalization of Deviance
Transforming moral and legal deviance into a medical condition, such as addiction.
Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory
Deviance is learned from others, depending on who we associate with. Individuals tend to break rules based on their associations.
Criminal Recidivism
Criminal recidivism is the repetition of criminal behavior after being punished.
Chapter 8: Social Stratification
Social Stratification
Social stratification is how people are divided by hierarchy.
Meritocracy
Meritocracy is social stratification based on personal merit.
Structural Social Mobility
Structural social mobility is a change in position within the social hierarchy due to societal changes.
Spencer on “Survival of the Fittest”
Society is only as strong as its weakest person.
Davis-Moore Thesis
People’s positions in society are based on their functional importance.
Reasons Marxist Revolution Never Occurred
Higher standard of living, worker organizations, legal protections, and fragmentation of capitalism.
Weber on Social Stratification
Social stratification is divided by class position, power, and status.
Conspicuous Consumption
Buying and using products to make a statement.
Social Class Differences on Economic and Social Issues
Higher classes tend to be conservative on economic issues, while lower classes tend to be liberal on economic issues.
Feminization of Poverty
The increasing number of female-headed households in poverty.
Durkheim’s View on Functions of Deviance
- Affirms cultural values and norms.
- Clarifies moral boundaries.
- Brings people together.
- Leads to social changes.
Caste and Class Systems
- Caste: Based on ascription or birth.
- Class: Based on both birth and individual achievements.