6.4 Resources and References
Key Terms
aggregate: A collection of people who exist in the same place at the same time, but who don’t interact or share a sense of identity
bureaucracies: Formal organizations characterized by a hierarchy of authority, a clear division of labor, explicit rules, and impersonality.
category: People who share similar characteristics but who are not connected in any way
division of labor: The fact that each individual in a bureaucracy has a specialized task to perform
coercive organizations: Organizations that people do not voluntarily join, such as prison or a mental hospital
collective effervescence: The elevated feeling experienced by individuals when they come together as a group
conformity: The extent to which an individual complies with group or societal norms
dyad: A two-member group
explicit rules: The types of rules in a bureaucracy; rules that are outlined, recorded, and standardized
expressive function: A group function that serves an emotional need
formal organizations: Large, impersonal organizations
forms: The patterns of behaviour that guide or regulate individuals’ actions in different social settings.
group: Any collection of at least two people who interact with some frequency and who share some sense of aligned identity
hierarchy of authority: A clear chain of command found in a bureaucracy
ideal type: An abstract model of a recurring social phenomenon that describes the form and logical relation of components
impersonality: The removal of personal feelings from a professional situation
in-group: A group a person belongs to and feels is an integral part of his identity
instrumental function: Being oriented toward a task or goal
Iron Rule of Oligarchy: The theory that an organization is ruled by a few elites rather than through collaboration
leadership function: The main focus or goal of a leader
McDonaldization of Society: The increasing presence of the fast food business model in common social institutions
macro-level of analysis: A research focus on the properties of large scale, society-wide, social interactions
meso-level of analysis: A research focus on the characteristics of local networks, groups, and organizations
micro-level of analysis: A research focus on the social dynamics of small groups and face-to-face interaction
meritocracy: A bureaucracy where membership and advancement is based on merit—proven and documented skills
normative or voluntary organizations: Organizations that people choose to join to pursue shared interests or because they provide intangible rewards
out-group: A group that an individual is not a member of, and may even compete with
primary groups: Small, informal groups of people who are closest to us
reference groups: Groups to which an individual compares herself
secondary groups: Larger and more impersonal groups that are task-focused and time limited
significant other: An individual who has a large impact on a person’s socialization or plays a formative role in shaping their life
social network: A collection of people tied together by a specific configuration of connections through which resources are exchanged
total institution: An organization in which participants live a controlled lifestyle and in which total resocialization occurs
triad: A three-member group
utilitarian organizations: Organizations that are joined to fill a specific material need
Quiz Questions
6.1 Defining a Group
When a high school student gets teased by her basketball team for receiving an academic award, she is dealing with competing ______________.
- primary groups
- out-groups
- reference groups
- secondary groups
6.2 Group Size and Structure
Two people who have just had a baby have turned from a _______ to a _________.
- primary group; secondary group
- dyad; triad
- couple; family
- de facto group; nuclear family
6.3 Formal Organizations
Which is not an example of a normative organization?
- A book club
- A church youth group
- A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protest group
- A study hall
What is an advantage of the McDonaldization of society?
- There is more variety of goods.
- There is less theft.
- There is more worldwide availability of goods.
- There is more opportunity for businesses.
Future Research
6.1 Defining a Group
For more information about cyberbullying causes and statistics, check out this website on cyberbullying research.
6.2 Group Size and Structure
What is your leadership style? This leadership style quiz helps you find out.
6.3 Formal Organizations
As mentioned above, the concept of McDonaldization is a growing one. Check out this article discussing the phenomenon of McDonaldization further.
References
Introduction to Groups and Organizations
Cabrel, Javier. 2011. “NOFX – Occupy LA.” LAWeekly.com, November 28. Retrieved December 13, 2021 (https://www.laweekly.com/nofx-occupy-la-11-28-2011/).
6.1 Types of Groups
Cooley, Charles Horton.1963 [1909]. Social Organizations: A Study of the Larger Mind. New York: Shocken.
Cyberbullying Research Center. n.d. Retrieved November 30, 2011 (http://www.cyberbullying.us).
Hinduja, Sameer. 2018. “Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Suicide Among US Youth: Our Updated Research Findings.” Cyberbullying Research Center, https://cyberbullying.org/bullying-cyberbullying-suicide-among-us-youth.
Hinduja, Sameer, and Justin W. Patchin.2019. “Summary of Our Cyberbullying Research (2007-2019).” Cyberbullying Research Center, https://cyberbullying.org/summary-of-our-cyberbullying-research/. Retrieved February 14, 2021
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2020). Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. Cyberbullying Re- search Center (cyberbullying.org).
John, Ann. “Self-Harm, Suicidal Behaviours, and Cyberbullying in Children and Young People: Systematic Review.” Journal of Medical Internet Research. https://www.jmir.org/2018/4/e129/
Sumner, William. 1959 [1906]. Folkways. New York: Dover.
“Times Topics: Occupy Wall Street.” New York Times. 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012 (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/o/occupy_wall_street/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=occupy%20wall%20street&st=cse).
6.2 Group Size and Structure
Asch, Solomon. 1956. “Studies of Independence and Conformity: A Minority of One Against a Unanimous Majority.” Psychological Monographs 70(9, Whole No. 416).
Milgram, Stanley. 1963. “Behavioral Study of Obedience.” Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 67: 371–378.
Simmel, Georg. 1950. The Sociology of Georg Simmel. Glencoe, IL: The Free Press.
6.3 Formal Organizations
Etzioni, Amitai. 1975. A Comparative Analysis of Complex Organizations: On Power, Involvement, and Their Correlates. New York: Free Press.
Fuchs, Victor R.. 1997. “Managed Care and Merger Mania,” JAMA 277.11 (920-921).
Goffman, Erving. 1961. Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. Chicago, IL: Aldine.
Michels, Robert. 1949 [1911]. Political Parties. Glencoe, IL: Free Press.
Newman, Jerry. 2007. My Secret Life on the McJob. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Ritzer, George. 1993. The McDonaldization of Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge.
Weber, Max. 1968 [1922]. Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretative Sociology. New York: Bedminster.
