Social structure

- The way human activity is organized on a normal, more or less consistent basis
- Those in the group must relate to one another in some way
- There must be interdependence in people’s interactions
- Social structure in a specific society is determined by its culture, status, roles, and
groups

Theories
- Functionalists
- Focus on networking
- Conflict theorists
- See competition
- Interactionists
- Look at specific meanings of communication

Trendsetters

- Agency
- The ability to act voluntarily, without coercion or undue influence, often opposed
to structural influences

Social network
- The entirety of an individual’s social relationships and group members
- Media and lifestyle clusters
- Followers and algorithms

Primary and secondary groups

Primary
- A small number of people who regularly associate with one another in an intimate,
face-to-face, largely cooperative manner
- Powerfully influences the personality, morality, and ideals of the individual
- Strong sense of belonging and connections; “we” or “in-group”
Secondary groups
- Relationships that are impersonal, formal, unemotional, partial, and impermanent
- Valued for what they can give you
Statuses

- status
- A socially defined position in a social structure
- Ascribed status
- Assigned to individuals regardless of efforts or actions
- Acquired at birth
- Achieved status
- Earned by individuals based on their efforts, actions, or accomplishments in life
- Status inconsistency
- Incompatibility of one status with another

Rise and Fall of Groups

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjourning