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Questions and Answers
What distinguishes a primary group from a secondary group?
What distinguishes a primary group from a secondary group?
What is the relationship between in-groups and out-groups?
What is the relationship between in-groups and out-groups?
What is an example of a social category?
What is an example of a social category?
What defines reference groups in social structure?
What defines reference groups in social structure?
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What does out-group homogeneity refer to?
What does out-group homogeneity refer to?
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Which statement best describes stereotypes?
Which statement best describes stereotypes?
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What role do schemas play in the formation of stereotypes?
What role do schemas play in the formation of stereotypes?
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What differentiates social aggregates from groups?
What differentiates social aggregates from groups?
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What is one potential issue with the division of labor in a bureaucracy?
What is one potential issue with the division of labor in a bureaucracy?
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How does social density influence an individual's perspective?
How does social density influence an individual's perspective?
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Which characteristic of bureaucracy allows for a clear structure of authority?
Which characteristic of bureaucracy allows for a clear structure of authority?
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What is a consequence of having a hierarchy of authority in bureaucracies?
What is a consequence of having a hierarchy of authority in bureaucracies?
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Which stereotype about White people is commonly held yet lacks a factual basis?
Which stereotype about White people is commonly held yet lacks a factual basis?
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What does the term 'bureaucracy' imply in terms of organizational efficiency?
What does the term 'bureaucracy' imply in terms of organizational efficiency?
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A possible disadvantage of specialization in bureaucracies is:
A possible disadvantage of specialization in bureaucracies is:
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What behavior is more likely among individuals who have lower social density?
What behavior is more likely among individuals who have lower social density?
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What is a key issue related to the impersonality in bureaucracy?
What is a key issue related to the impersonality in bureaucracy?
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Which issue can arise when employment is based solely on technical qualifications?
Which issue can arise when employment is based solely on technical qualifications?
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Which of the following best describes the 'iron cage of rationality'?
Which of the following best describes the 'iron cage of rationality'?
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What characteristic of McDonaldization focuses on delivering products quickly?
What characteristic of McDonaldization focuses on delivering products quickly?
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What does the concept of predictability in McDonaldization imply?
What does the concept of predictability in McDonaldization imply?
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What is an issue that may occur if everyone exceeds performance standards in a bureaucracy?
What is an issue that may occur if everyone exceeds performance standards in a bureaucracy?
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How does McDonaldization affect culture in terms of service expectations?
How does McDonaldization affect culture in terms of service expectations?
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According to Weber, which of the following is a consequence of bureaucracy?
According to Weber, which of the following is a consequence of bureaucracy?
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Study Notes
Social Structure
- Groups are a collection of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact regularly.
- Dyads are groups of two people, while triads are groups of three. (Simmel)
- Social categories are people who share a common characteristic, but don't necessarily interact.
- Social aggregates are people who happen to be in the same place at the same time, but don't necessarily share a common characteristic.
- Primary groups are small, consistent groups characterized by intimate interactions and emotional attachments. (Cooley)
- Secondary groups are larger, temporary groups formed for achieving specific goals.
- Reference groups are groups that individuals compare themselves to when evaluating their qualities, attitudes, and behaviors.
- In-groups refer to the groups you belong to, while out-groups are those you don't belong to. (Sumner)
- In-group heterogeneity refers to the tendency to recognize subtle differences among members of one's own group.
- Out-group homogeneity refers to the tendency to perceive all members of an out-group as the same. (Quattrone)
- Stereotypes are unreliable generalizations about members of a group, failing to recognize individual differences.
- Stereotypes are often reinforced by selective perception, where we focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs.
- Schema (generalized mental models) help us classify and understand our experiences, which can contribute to stereotyping. (Allport)
Social Density
- Social density refers to the amount of time people spend together and the diversity of their contacts. (Collins)
- High social density contributes to greater cultural conformity among individuals.
- Low social density can lead to individualism and a more self-centered perspective.
- Diverse interactions encourage individuals to think more abstractly and consider long-range consequences.
Bureaucracy
- Bureaucracy is a formal organization style emphasizing rationality, logic, and rules to achieve maximum efficiency. (Weber)
- Bureaucracy has five key characteristics that create an ideal type (a theoretical model).
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Division of Labor: Individuals specialize in one specific job, promoting expertise.
- Possible problems include boredom, difficulty in promotion, and the potential of one individual disrupting the entire organization.
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Hierarchy of Authority: Jobs are ranked, with limited powerful individuals at the top, allowing for efficient decision-making.
- Possible problems include decision-makers being disconnected from workers, differing standards between decision-makers and workers, and potential for unethical decision-making.
- Written Rules and Regulations: All tasks are performed according to specific rules, ensuring uniformity and consistent performance.
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Impersonality: Tasks are completed objectively, disregarding individual characteristics, to ensure unbiased application of rules.
- Potential problems include a lack of guidance for situations without specific rules, individuals desiring to be treated uniquely, and workers potentially focusing more on rules than efficient task completion.
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Employment Based on Technical Qualification: Hiring and promotion decisions are based solely on performance evaluated against specific standards.
- Potential problems include difficulty in measuring skills, the potential for everyone exceeding standards, and the "Peter Principle" (promotion to the level of one's incompetence).
Iron Cage of Rationality
- Weber worried about the stifling impact of bureaucracy on original thought and rational action, creating an "iron cage" of rationality.
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McDonaldization of Society (Ritzer):
- Focuses on the spread of McDonald’s business model to other industries.
- This model emphasizes efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control in service and product delivery.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the distinctions between primary and secondary groups, the dynamics of in-groups versus out-groups, and the implications of social categories. This quiz also covers concepts like reference groups, out-group homogeneity, stereotypes, and the role of schemas in social perception.