Exam 4: Social Structure and Interaction in Everyday Life.

Conflict theorists believe that there is very little shared reality beyond that which is socially created. They refer to this as the social construction of reality - the process by which our perception of reality is largely shaped by the objective meaning that we give to an experience.

To sociologists, a(n) __________ is a larger, more specialized group in which members engage in more impersonal, goal-oriented relationships for a limited period of time.

In Gemeinschaft societies such as the United States, a prevailing core value is that people should be able to take care of themselves. Thus many people view the homeless as "throwaways" - as beyond help or as having already had enough done for them by society.

People use role exiting techniques when they do not want others to take them as the "self" implied in a particular role, especially if they think the role is "beneath them."

From sociologist Emile Durkheim's perspective, __________ refers to the social cohesion found in industrial societies, in which people perform very specialized tasks and feel united by their mutual dependence.

While Ben is working in a fast-food restaurant, he does not want people to think of him As a "loser in a dead-end job." He wants them to view him as a college student who is working there just to "pick up a few bucks" until he graduates. When customers from the college come in, Ben talks to them about what courses they are taking, what they are majoring in, and what professors they have. He does not discuss whether the bacon cheeseburger is better than the chili burger. In this scenario, Ben is engaging in __________.

__________ theorists emphasize that social structure is essential because it creates order and predictability in a society. Social structure is also important for our human development.

At the __________, the social structure of a society has several essential elements: social institutions, groups, statuses, roles, and norms.

A(n) __________ is any physical or social attribute or sign that so devalues a person's social identity that it disqualifies that person from full social acceptance.

Define nonverbal communication and explain how this concept relates to our interactions with others.

An achieved status is a social position conferred at birth or received involuntarily later in life based on attributes over which the individual has little or no control (such as race/ethnicity, age, and gender).

A __________ is a highly structured group formed for the purpose of completing certain tasks or achieving specific goals.

Social structure consists of all except

A(n) __________ is one in which technology supports a service- and information-based economy.

Facebook was originated by Facebook.

__________ are the fastest growing category of homeless persons in the United States.

__________ may focus on the problems of one homeless family, describing how the parents and kids live in a car and eat meals from a soup kitchen. Often what is not shown is the "big picture" of homelessness.

Describe sociologist Erving Goffman's dramaturgical analysis and explain what he meant by presentation of self.

Recent social changes may have increased __________ for men. In the family, men's traditional positions of dominance have eroded as more women have entered the paid labor force and demanded more assistance in child-rearing and homemaking responsibilities.

Sociologist Erving Goffman's term __________ refers to the ways in which an individual shows awareness that another is present without making this person the object of particular attention.