SOCY 100 Lecture 6: Social Structure

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOCY 100
• Professor: Jenelle Clark

Document Summary

Socy 100h - lecture 6 - social structure. : persisting patterns of behavior and interaction between people or. : rules and expectations associated with different positions. We shift roles throughout the day and over the course of life. Identities (attached to the groups we belong to, personal characteristics, etc. ) Roles can come with varying levels of power and influence. Persisting social hierarchies are based on members of one group claiming that some asset or attribute makes them special/better/more qualified. Social hierarchies exist on the basis that some group deserves the position(s) they"re in. May be a skill, ability, or achievement (education, expertise, etc. ) May be born with/into the group (race/ethnicity, sex/gender) Power and privilege allow dominant groups to maintain dominance. The ability to get what you want despite resistance from others. The ability or right to have special access to opportunities or claims on. Privilege is often only noticed when it is absent.