Introduction to Sociology: Groups and Organization | Free OER Textbook + Study Guide

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OpenStax — Introduction to Sociology 3e

CC BY 4.0 · 21 chapters

What This Module Covers

Defining Groups
Primary vs. Secondary Groups
In-groups, Out-groups, and Reference Groups
Group Size and Structure
Leadership Functions and Styles
Conformity and the Asch Experiment
Formal Organizations
Bureaucracies
THE McDONALDIZATION of SOCIETY
Three Sociological Perspectives on Groups
Key Terms Quick Reference
End of Study Guide

Key Terms

AGGREGATE People in the same place at the same time with no interaction and no shared identity. A crowd waiting for a bus.

CATEGORY People who share characteristics but have no connection to each other. Millennials are a category, not a group.

DYAD Two-member group

TRIAD Three-member group

CONFORMITY The extent to which an individual complies with group norms or expectations.

FORMAL ORGANIZATIONS Large, impersonal secondary organizations; highly bureaucratized.

NORMATIVE People join because they want to; benefit is non-material. Hobby clubs, religious groups, advocacy organizations.

COERCIVE People do not voluntarily join. Prison, military, rehabilitation facilities.

UTILITARIAN People join for a specific material reward. School (diploma), work (paycheck).

MERITOCRACY In theory, hiring and advancement based on documented skill and achievement; not personal connections.

EFFICIENCY Division of labor; every worker has a narrow, repeatable task

PREDICTABILITY Standardized products and experiences regardless of location

CALCULABILITY Emphasis on quantity and measurable output over quality

CONTROL Monitoring of employees and processes; standardized uniforms, procedures, surveillance

Examples beyond fast food National education standards replacing local curricula, hospital mergers standardizing healthcare, chain retail replacin