Societies are organized in to distinct social units that tell us what the rules are?
Answers
Social Structure; Social Groups; and Organizations
(This naval formation exemplifies one kind of group that sociologists call a formal organization).
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· NativeWeb
· The United Nations Homage
· City Net
· American Anthropological Association
· Fedstats
· U.S. Census Bureau
· The White House
· U.S. Department of Labor
· U.S. Government Sites
SECTION CONTENTS
Social Structure
Components of Social Structure
Socio-Cultural Evolution
Pre-Industrial and Industrial Societies
The Importance of social Groups
Definition of a Group
Leadership in Groups
Group Size
Group Formation
Group Boundaries
Group Decision-Making
Communication; Conflict; Group Cohesiveness
Formal Organizations
o larger population possible
o some stratification from wealth possible
o nomadic, material possessions few in number
o develop trading and barter
o warfare and slavery exist
o belief in gods
Horticultural Societies: (gardeners cultivating donesticated plants by hand-- slash and burn technology)
o large populations possible
o stratification by wealth and power is possible.
o Hereditary chieftanships develop.
o specialization and division of labor possible
o warfare is common-- cannibalism, head hunting, human sacrifice
o belief in gods
o permanent settlements and elaborate cultural artifacts
Agricultural Societies: (6000 years ago the plow was invented. It greatly improved the productivity of the soil; brings surface nutirents that have sunk out of the reach of the roots of the plants).
o land continually cultivated-- permanent settlements emerge
o food output increased greatly--- substantial surpluses.
o much greater population size possible
o more highly refined division of labor
o first time cities appear
o power is in the hands of one individual, hereditary monarchies develop
o inequality of wealth
o religion becomes a separate social institution
o economic institutions more complex, more elaborate trade; money developes
o almost always at war
o permanent armies
o system of writing developed
o efficient transportation system is developed.
o many more cultural artifacts
Industrial societies: (originated in the industrial revolution in England 250 yrs ago). They have learned to appply scientific knowledge to the technology of production
· technological innovation is swift
· continuous, rapid social change
· very large populations, 100 million or more
· highly complex division of labor
· family and kinship become less important
· influence of religion weakens
· wide diversity of values and beliefs
· importance of science as institution increases
· education becomes distinct institution
· mass literacr (requires formal education)
· reduction in inequality
· incidence of warfare decreases
· more and more social life occurs in secondary groups
· problems with pollution, resource depletion, social disorganization
Contents
The Distinction Between Pre-Industrial and Industrial Societies:
EMEINSCHAFT GESELLSCHAFT (Ferdinand Tonnes)
(community) (association)
MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY ORGANIC SOLIDARITY (Durkheim)
FOLK SOCIETY URBAN SOCIETY (Robert Redfield)
Contents
Section II: The Importance of Social Groups
Groups are important to sociologists because most of our day-to-day activities are spent in the company of other people in a group; whether it be at home, at school, or at work. There are virtually countless groups in society. They vary in size, but almost everybody belongs to a large number of them. For example, you may think that it would be difficult to name 25 groups that you belong to. But VCU students have easily provided the following:.
VCU Student Body
Suite/Dorm Mates
English Class
Spanish Class
Math Class
Sociology Class
Biology Class
Class of 2000, etc.
Immediate Family
Extended Family
Sports Team/Club
High School Class
Bank
Auto Club (AAA)
Auto Insurance Co.
College Meal Plan
Neighborhood
Religious Affiliation
Political Party
Employment Group
Fraternity/Sorority
Peer Group (Friends)
Academic Program
Video Club
Internet Access
Most of our socialization occurs in groups. In groups we learn to enact various roles and most roles have meaning only within the context of groups. Example:
Leader: Leader of what? (Band, class, parade, military organization, sports team, etc.). All these examples involve groups.
Mother/Father the family (another group)
Treasurer, Secretary, President (club; company)
Teacher class (also a group)
Contents
Definition of a Group:
A group is simply a collection of people who: 1.) Interact on a fairly regular basis; 2.) occupy specific status's and know the roles expected of those status's; 3.) Show general agreement on goals, rules, values; 4.) Have a sense of shared identity.