chapter 6 social collectivities: from groups to societies

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Social Collectivities:Social Collectivities:

From Groups to From Groups to SocietiesSocieties

How was it possible for many How was it possible for many thousands of ordinary Germans – thousands of ordinary Germans – products of ‘the most advanced products of ‘the most advanced

civilization on earth – to civilization on earth – to systematically murder millions of systematically murder millions of defenseless and innocent Jews, defenseless and innocent Jews,

Romas (Gypsies), homosexuals, and Romas (Gypsies), homosexuals, and mentally disabled people in the death mentally disabled people in the death

camps?camps?

Social Groups Shape Our ActionsSocial Groups Shape Our Actions

Norms of SolidarityNorms of SolidarityFitting into and being loyal to the Fitting into and being loyal to the

groupgroup


Norms of SolidarityNorms of SolidarityNazi soldiers simply developed Nazi soldiers simply developed

deep loyalty to each other.deep loyalty to each other.Get their assigned job done or Get their assigned job done or

face letting down their comradesface letting down their comrades


Obedience to Structures of AuthorityObedience to Structures of Authority People find it difficult to disobey People find it difficult to disobey

authority (fear of ridicule, ostracism, authority (fear of ridicule, ostracism, and punishment)and punishment)

Stanley Milgram Obedience StudyStanley Milgram Obedience Study

Obedience and the HolocaustObedience and the HolocaustAs soon as we are introduced to a As soon as we are introduced to a

structure of authority, we are structure of authority, we are inclined to obey those in power.inclined to obey those in power.

Even if the authority structure is new Even if the authority structure is new and highly artificialand highly artificial

Even if we are free to walk away with Even if we are free to walk away with no penaltyno penalty

Obedience and the HolocaustObedience and the HolocaustEven if we think that by remaining it Even if we think that by remaining it

its grip we are inflicting terrible pain its grip we are inflicting terrible pain on another human being.on another human being.

In this context, the actions and In this context, the actions and inactions of German citizens in inactions of German citizens in World War II become more World War II become more understandable if no more forgivableunderstandable if no more forgivable

Bureaucratic OrganizationBureaucratic Organization

Bureacracy - A large, impersonal Bureacracy - A large, impersonal organization composed of many organization composed of many clearly defined positions arranged in clearly defined positions arranged in a hierarchya hierarchy..

Bureaucratic OrganizationBureaucratic Organization A bureaucracy has a permanent, A bureaucracy has a permanent,

salaried staff of qualified experts and salaried staff of qualified experts and written goals, rules, and procedures.written goals, rules, and procedures.

Staff members always try to find ways Staff members always try to find ways of running the bureaucracy more of running the bureaucracy more efficiently.efficiently.

Efficiency – achieving the Efficiency – achieving the bureaucracy’s goals at the least cost.bureaucracy’s goals at the least cost.

Bureaucracy & the HolocaustBureaucracy & the Holocaust

The proportion of Jews killed was The proportion of Jews killed was highest not in the Nazi-controlled highest not in the Nazi-controlled countries where the hatred of countries where the hatred of Jews was most intense, but in Jews was most intense, but in countries where the Nazi countries where the Nazi bureaucracy was best organized.bureaucracy was best organized.

NetworksNetworks Social Network is a bounded set of Social Network is a bounded set of

individuals who are linked by the individuals who are linked by the exchange of material or emotional exchange of material or emotional resources. resources.

NetworksNetworks The patterns of exchange determine the The patterns of exchange determine the

boundaries of the network. boundaries of the network. Members exchange resources more Members exchange resources more

frequently with each other than with frequently with each other than with nonmembers. nonmembers.

They also think of themselves as network They also think of themselves as network members. members.

Social networks may be formal (defined in Social networks may be formal (defined in writing), but they are more often informal writing), but they are more often informal (defined only in practice)(defined only in practice)

NetworksNetworks

Most lack a name or an officeMost lack a name or an office Can be:Can be:

IndividualsIndividuals GroupsGroups OrganizationsOrganizations CountriesCountries

NetworksNetworks

Things that are a result of Things that are a result of networks:networks:JobsJobsUrban NetworksUrban NetworksScientific InnovationScientific InnovationDiseaseDisease

NetworksNetworks

Building BlocksBuilding BlocksDyadsDyadsTriadsTriads

GroupsGroups Social GroupsSocial Groups

Composed of one or more networks of Composed of one or more networks of people who identify with one another people who identify with one another and adhere to defined norms, roles, and and adhere to defined norms, roles, and statusesstatuses

Families and sports teamsFamilies and sports teams Social CategoriesSocial Categories

Composed of people who share a Composed of people who share a similar status but do not identify with similar status but do not identify with one anotherone another

Coffee drinkersCoffee drinkers

Networks: Primary and Secondary Networks: Primary and Secondary GroupsGroups

Primary GroupPrimary Group Groups whose members agree upon norms, Groups whose members agree upon norms,

roles, and statuses without putting them in roles, and statuses without putting them in writing.writing.

Social interaction leads to strong emotional Social interaction leads to strong emotional ties, extends over a long period, involves a ties, extends over a long period, involves a wide range of activities, and results in group wide range of activities, and results in group members knowing one anothermembers knowing one another

Networks: Primary and Secondary Networks: Primary and Secondary GroupsGroups

Secondary GroupSecondary Group Larger and more impersonal than Larger and more impersonal than

primary groups.primary groups. Social interaction creates weaker Social interaction creates weaker

emotional ties, extends over a shorter emotional ties, extends over a shorter periodperiod

Involves a narrow range of activities, Involves a narrow range of activities, and results in most group members and results in most group members having at most a passing acquaintance having at most a passing acquaintance with one anotherwith one another

Group ConformityGroup Conformity

Solomon Asch Line ExperimentSolomon Asch Line Experiment

What Affects Group Conformity?What Affects Group Conformity?

Group SizeGroup Size Group Cohesiveness Group Cohesiveness Social StatusSocial Status Culture (collectivist v. Culture (collectivist v.

individualistic)individualistic) Appearance of UnanimityAppearance of Unanimity

GroupthinkGroupthink

Group pressure to conform Group pressure to conform despite individual misgivingsdespite individual misgivings


Tragic ExamplesTragic Examples Bombing of Pearl HarborBombing of Pearl Harbor Invasion of CubaInvasion of Cuba WatergateWatergate Space Shuttle Space Shuttle ColumbiaColumbia


How do we prevent it?How do we prevent it? Encourage frank and open discussionEncourage frank and open discussion Assess ideas based on their meritAssess ideas based on their merit Develop a strategy that incorporates Develop a strategy that incorporates

the best ideas voiced (Brainstorming)the best ideas voiced (Brainstorming) Bring in outside voicesBring in outside voices Leader withhold his/her opinion and/or Leader withhold his/her opinion and/or

presence in meetingspresence in meetings THEN create consensus on how to THEN create consensus on how to

implement ideasimplement ideas

Groups: In-Groups/Out-GroupsGroups: In-Groups/Out-Groups

In-GroupsIn-Groups Members are people who belong Members are people who belong

to a groupto a group Out-GroupsOut-Groups

People who are excluded from People who are excluded from the in-groupthe in-group

GroupsGroups

Group Boundaries: Competition Group Boundaries: Competition and Self-Esteemand Self-Esteem Robber’s Cave ExperementRobber’s Cave Experement

Competition bred antagonism and Competition bred antagonism and aggression between groupsaggression between groups

Cooperation led the boys to play Cooperation led the boys to play together and group boundaries together and group boundaries disappeareddisappeared

Dominant GroupsDominant Groups

Group boundaries are not naturalGroup boundaries are not natural Dominant groups often construct Dominant groups often construct

group boundaries in particular group boundaries in particular circumstances to further their circumstances to further their goalsgoals Germans and JewsGermans and Jews

Groups and Sociological ImaginationGroups and Sociological Imagination Reference GroupsReference Groups

Composed of people against whom an Composed of people against whom an individual evaluates his or her situation individual evaluates his or her situation or conductor conduct

Your in-group determines which Your in-group determines which reference groups matter to usreference groups matter to us

Imagined CommunitiesImagined Communities Your college, Your company, Your worldYour college, Your company, Your world

BureacracyBureacracy

Max WeberMax Weber Most efficient in an ideal worldMost efficient in an ideal world In reality, can be very inefficientIn reality, can be very inefficient

View on a continuum rather than View on a continuum rather than either/oreither/or

BureaucracyBureaucracyFour Main CriticismsFour Main Criticisms

DehumanizationDehumanizationRitualismRitualismOligarchyOligarchy InertiaInertia


DehumanizationDehumanizationOccurs when bureaucracies Occurs when bureaucracies treat clients as standard treat clients as standard cases and personnel as cases and personnel as cogs in a giant machinecogs in a giant machine

Frustrates clients and lowers Frustrates clients and lowers worker moraleworker morale


RitualismRitualismInvolves bureaucrats getting so Involves bureaucrats getting so preoccupied with rules and preoccupied with rules and regulations that they make it regulations that they make it difficult for the organization to difficult for the organization to fulfill its goalsfulfill its goals


OligarchyOligarchyMeans “rule of the few”Means “rule of the few”Tendency for power to become Tendency for power to become increasingly concentrated in the increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few people at the top hands of a few people at the top of the organizational pyramidof the organizational pyramid


InertiaInertiaRefers to the tendency of large, Refers to the tendency of large, rigid bureaucracies to continue rigid bureaucracies to continue their policies even when their their policies even when their clients’ needs changeclients’ needs change

BureaucracyBureaucracyOther IssuesOther Issues

SizeSizeIncreased size can equal Increased size can equal increase inefficiencyincrease inefficiency

BureaucracyBureaucracySizeSize

A B

C

BA

DC

BA

E D

C

BA

F

BureaucracyBureaucracySocial StructureSocial Structure

Head

DIV BDIV A

Dept C2

Dept C1

Dept B2

Dept B1

Dept A2

Dept A1

DIV C

BureaucracyBureaucracyOvercoming InefficiencyOvercoming Inefficiency

Flattened Network StructureFlattened Network Structure

Head

D 3D 2D 1

BureaucracyBureaucracy

Social RelationsSocial RelationsInformal networks often control Informal networks often control formal interactionsformal interactionsWomen and the “Good Ole Boys” Women and the “Good Ole Boys” networknetwork

LeadershipLeadership

Three Main StylesThree Main StylesLaissez-faire leadershipLaissez-faire leadershipAuthoritarian leadershipAuthoritarian leadershipDemocratic leadershipDemocratic leadership

LeadershipLeadershipThree Main StylesThree Main Styles

Laissez-faire leadershipLaissez-faire leadershipAllows subordinates to work things Allows subordinates to work things out largely on their own with almost out largely on their own with almost no direction from aboveno direction from above

Works best when group members Works best when group members are highly experienced, trained, are highly experienced, trained, motivated, and educated and when motivated, and educated and when trust and confidence in group trust and confidence in group members are highmembers are high

LeadershipLeadership

Three Main StylesThree Main StylesAuthoritarian leadershipAuthoritarian leadership

Demands strict compliance from Demands strict compliance from subordinates.subordinates.

Most effective in a crisis such as Most effective in a crisis such as a war or the emergency room of a war or the emergency room of a hospitala hospital

LeadershipLeadership Three Main StylesThree Main Styles

Democratic leadershipDemocratic leadershipOffers more guidance than the Offers more guidance than the

laissez-faire variety but less control laissez-faire variety but less control than the authoritarian typethan the authoritarian type

Try to include all group members in Try to include all group members in decision-making process, taking best decision-making process, taking best ideas from group and molding them ideas from group and molding them into a strategy with which all caninto a strategy with which all can

Except for crisis situation, democratic Except for crisis situation, democratic is best styleis best style

SocietiesSocieties

Collectivities of interacting people Collectivities of interacting people who share a culture and a who share a culture and a territoryterritory

History of SocietiesHistory of Societies

Foraging societiesForaging societies Horticultural societiesHorticultural societies Agricultural societiesAgricultural societies Industrial societiesIndustrial societies Postindustrial societiesPostindustrial societies


Foraging societiesForaging societiesPeople live by searching for wild People live by searching for wild

plants and hunting wild animals.plants and hunting wild animals.Such societies predominated Such societies predominated

until about 10,000 years ago.until about 10,000 years ago. Inequality, division of labor, Inequality, division of labor,

productivity, and settlement size productivity, and settlement size are very low in such societiesare very low in such societies

History of SocietiesHistory of Societies Horticultural societiesHorticultural societies

People domesticate plants ad use simple People domesticate plants ad use simple hand tools to gardenhand tools to garden

Pastoral societiesPastoral societies People domesticate animalsPeople domesticate animals

Emerged 10,000 years agoEmerged 10,000 years ago Food supply and dependability Food supply and dependability

increasedincreased Settlement size increased, Division of Settlement size increased, Division of

labor, productivity and inequality labor, productivity and inequality increasedincreased

History of SocietiesHistory of Societies Agricultural societiesAgricultural societies

Plows and animal power used to Plows and animal power used to substantially increase food supply and substantially increase food supply and dependabilitydependability

Emerged about 5,000 years agoEmerged about 5,000 years ago Increase in settlement size and Increase in settlement size and

permanence, division of labor, permanence, division of labor, productivity, and inequality higherproductivity, and inequality higher


Industrial societiesIndustrial societies Machines and fuel to greatly increase Machines and fuel to greatly increase

the supply and dependability of food the supply and dependability of food and finished goods.and finished goods.

Emerged 225 years agoEmerged 225 years ago Inequality substantial in early years, Inequality substantial in early years,

but declined at the system maturedbut declined at the system matured

History of SocietiesHistory of Societies Postindustrial societiesPostindustrial societies

Most workers are employed in the Most workers are employed in the service sector and computers spur service sector and computers spur substantial increases in division of substantial increases in division of labor and productivitylabor and productivity

US first postindustrial society shorty US first postindustrial society shorty after WWII.after WWII.

Gender inequality is reducedGender inequality is reduced Class inequality increases in some Class inequality increases in some

postindustrial societiespostindustrial societies

Collectivities: Freedom and ConstraintCollectivities: Freedom and Constraint

Collectivities can be used to effect Collectivities can be used to effect constraint through social solidarity, constraint through social solidarity, obedience to authority, bureaucratic obedience to authority, bureaucratic organizations, networks, groups, organizations, networks, groups, conformity, leadership, and societal conformity, leadership, and societal stages.stages.

Collectivities: Freedom and ConstraintCollectivities: Freedom and Constraint

But people can use these same But people can use these same systems to their advantage to systems to their advantage to produce freedom. People can form produce freedom. People can form social collectivities to counteract social collectivities to counteract other social collectivities. other social collectivities. Embedded in social relations, we Embedded in social relations, we can use them for good or evil.can use them for good or evil.

chapter 6 social collectivities: from groups to societies

Documents

primary groups

network members

social networks

staff members

members exchange resources

comradessocial groups

groupsocial groups

nazi bureaucracy