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Connecting Sociology and YOU!

Chapter 6: Groups and Organizations

Notes:

 grouppeople who identify and interact with one another

social groupstwo or more individuals connected by common bonds and shared social relations,

dyada group of two people

triada group of three members

Primary groups are small-scale, intimate, face-to-face long-lasting associations

econdary groups are large-scale, impersonal, task-focused, and time-limited associations.

reference groupa collection of people used for comparison and identification

n-groupa social unit in which an individual belongs and feels a sense of “we,”

out-group, individuals who do not belong or are excluded from one’s group

social cliquea small, close-knit, and exclusive group of individuals 

group conformityaligning attitudes and behaviors with group norms

 

Groupthinkthe tendency of group members to yield the desire for consensus rather than expressing individual or alternative ideas 

Pressure for Conformity-Dissenters are pressured not to express their opinions

 

Self-Censorship- Dissenters choose to withhold their counterarguments

 

Illusion of Unanimity- The majority view and judgments are assumed to unanimous

 

Mindguards Self-appointed members protect the group and the leader from information that is problematic or contradictory to the group’s views

Illusion of Invulnerability Members ignore dangers, take excessive risks, and are overly optimistic

 

Collective Rationalization Members discount and explain away warning signs

 

Belief in Inherent Morality Members believe their decisions are morally correct and ignore ethical considerations

Stereotypes Views of Out-groups Out-groups are labeled with negative stereotypes and considered as rivals

organizationa structured, purposeful, and goal-oriented collection of people

 Informal organizationsa system of the personal contacts and relationships of groupings of people,

 formal organizationsstructured and bureaucratic systems regulated by clearly stated norms and rules

 

Normative organizationsgroups of people based on shared interests and the intangible rewards of membership

Utilitarian organizationsgroups of people based on contractual obligations that seek tangible benefits such as monetary compensation

Greenwashing, the promotion of being a sustainable and green company, when, in fact, sustainable practices are not the norm for the organization,

total institutionsisolated groups with strict rules and regulations to control every aspect of members’ lives

bureaucraciesa hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality

ideal typelogical or consistent traits of a given social phenomenon,

red tapeadherence to excessive regulations and conformity that prevents decision-making and change.

 

Peter Principlethe notion that workers in a bureaucratic organization will continue to be promoted until they reach their level of incompetence (HP). 

spoils systemthe practice of politicians awarding jobs to friends and supporters based on liking and not skill.

iron law of oligarchya system in which the concentration of power in a democracy rests in the hands of a few elite leaders. 

McDonaldizationthe process by which the principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society and the of the rest of the world

 

leadersindividuals or groups who help facilitate, guide,

instrumental leadership, is one in which the leadership is very task-oriented

expressive leadershipleadership endeavors to establish more personal or primary connections with the group members

 

  • Authoritarian: A leadership style that is based on orders and directives.
  • Democratic: A leadership style based on increasing harmony and reducing conflict between group members.
  • Laissez-faire: A leader who takes a hands-off approach to leadership.

 

transformational leader causes individuals, groups, and social systems to change

transactional leader acts as a manager by keeping the group functioning smoothly

nepotismthe practice of favoritism directed toward family members

social capitalthe network of links that develop between people, which may result in a personal, social, and professional advantage

 

Meritocracya system that fosters and rewards personal effort, ability, and talent through competition to determine social standing

 cyberslacking, when workers spend excessive time online for personal reasons that do not benefit their employer

telecommuting or remote workingworking from someplace other than the office on a full- or part-time basis,