Chapter 5 Social Interaction And Social Structure

Explanation
Social structure refers to the organized pattern of behavior that governs people's relationships. It provides a sense of order and predictability in life by guiding our actions and interactions. It sets boundaries and limits on personal choices by defining statuses, roles, groups, organizations, and institutions. Social structure shapes the way individuals behave and interact with each other, creating a framework for social order and stability in society.

Explanation
The term "status" refers to a social position that an individual holds within a society. This can include various roles such as executive, secretary, physician, nurse, and so on. It encompasses any position that a person occupies within a particular culture or society.

Explanation
Ascribed status refers to a social position that is assigned to an individual at birth and cannot be changed or chosen. This includes characteristics such as sex, age, race, ethnicity, and family relationships. In the given context, Prince Henry's status as a prince is an example of an ascribed status because he was born into a royal family and did not have control over his position.

Explanation
Achieved status refers to a social position that an individual acquires through their own efforts or choices. It is not determined by birth or ascribed characteristics, but rather by personal accomplishments or voluntary actions. Examples of achieved status can include educational qualifications like being a high school graduate, marital status like being a husband or wife, or professional positions attained through hard work. Unlike ascribed status, achieved status can be controlled and changed by individuals throughout their lives based on their actions and choices.

Explanation
A master status refers to a social position that holds significant importance in shaping a person's identity. It can be either ascribed or achieved. Ascribed status is assigned at birth or based on inherent characteristics such as sex, age, physical ability, and race. These characteristics are highly visible and often have a profound impact on how individuals are perceived and treated in society. Therefore, they can be considered as master statuses because they play a crucial role in determining a person's overall identity and social standing.

Explanation
Status inconsistency refers to the conflict that arises when individuals occupy social positions that are ranked differently. In this case, the example provided is of a computer programmer who works as a bartender and a welder who stocks at Walmart due to a weak economy. Both individuals have occupations that are lower in status compared to their original professions. This creates a discrepancy between their achieved status (computer programmer and welder) and their ascribed status (bartender and Walmart stocker), resulting in status inconsistency.

Explanation
Status symbols are objects or indicators that represent a person's social or economic status. They are often associated with wealth, success, or achievements. In this context, the question is asking for a term that describes the display of one's status through symbols such as a medal for being an Olympian or owning a Lamborghini as a sign of being rich. Therefore, the correct answer is "Status Symbols."

Explanation
A role refers to the expected behavior of a person who holds a particular status. It includes both formal and informal behaviors associated with that status. In the given example of a college student, the formal behaviors would include studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and taking exams. On the other hand, the informal behaviors would involve activities like partying, going to clubs, hanging out with friends, and attending football games. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "Role".

Explanation
Role conflict refers to the frustrations and uncertainties that arise when an individual is faced with conflicting demands or expectations from different roles or statuses they occupy. In the given scenario, college students who also have a full-time job may experience role conflict as they try to balance the demands and responsibilities of both roles. This can lead to stress, difficulty in meeting expectations, and a sense of being torn between the two roles.

Explanation
Goffman's Dramaturgical Analysis is a technique that views social interaction as a theatrical performance, where individuals play different roles and present different versions of themselves to different audiences. It suggests that people engage in impression management, similar to actors on a stage, in order to present themselves in a favorable light. This analysis emphasizes the importance of the social context and the role-playing aspect of human behavior.

Explanation
Impression Management refers to the process of controlling and manipulating the impressions that others have of us. It involves suppressing negative traits and emphasizing positive ones to create a desired image. This can be done through various means, such as using props or external cues to reinforce a particular image. For example, someone may decorate their home with expensive art to give the impression that they are art collectors. Impression Management is a strategic behavior aimed at managing how others perceive us.

Explanation
Face-saving and tact are both strategies used to prevent embarrassment for someone. Face-saving refers to actions or words used to preserve a person's dignity or reputation, while tact refers to the ability to say or do things in a sensitive and considerate manner. Both face-saving and tact can be employed in various situations to protect someone from feeling embarrassed or humiliated.

Explanation
Social Exchange Theory is a perspective that explains social interactions based on the idea that individuals seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs. According to this theory, people engage in relationships or interactions with others because they believe that the benefits they receive outweigh the potential drawbacks or costs. This theory suggests that individuals engage in a rational calculation of the rewards and costs involved in a social exchange, and they make decisions based on this calculation. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is Social Exchange Theory.