Sociological Group Matrix - Assignment Example

of Phoenix Material Sociological Group Matrix Schaefer defines a group as “any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis” (p. 111). Complete the Social Group Matrix by identifying and describing the relationship between yourself and the members of any social group you are a part of. Group description Identify the group. As stated in the definition of a group by Schaefer (2011), my group is the community I come from. A community is a group because it brings together people who live in one place and share certain values that make them one. They also have rules they must follow. A community can also have continuity in the lineage. This family can result from relatives living together within the same environment. Their beliefs also are binding to all the members of the community. Therefore, everyone has a role to play in the community. The senior people give guidance on issues that affect the members of the community. Sometimes the community goes beyond the family ties. A good description of a society should encompass the immediate relations that are in family relationships. The report should put in consideration that not all the time a person lives with the relative alone. A community, therefore, is the description of people who share some common beliefs. They hold importantly the views of that group, and they even identify with the group’s social practice. Social group or organization Describe the function of the social group. The group has various functions. A community functions as an identity to the member and their actions reflect the beliefs of that community. A community binds us together because of the common practices within the community. A community involves its members in its activities. Social participation is the function of any community. The people have roles to play in any particular event. An example of some of the activities that take place within a community include social gatherings like weddings and parties, companionship and community. A community also protects its members from other communities. There are measures put to protect the members of a given society. The form of security that a community gives is the feeling of self-belonging. A community also supports it members. The members of a community support one another. They provide the individual moral support and even spiritual. A problem with a member of the community is the concern of the whole community. A community socializes its members. It is through socialization that the community instills its values to its young members. Through social interactions, they also educate the member in the values to carry on and the ones that are unacceptable. Authority and hierarchy Describe authority and hierarchical patterns within the group. Within any community, there are the rules and regulations that help in controlling members. For instance, in a school community there are rules and regulations. There are also those who enforce the laws. In a community of a clan, there are also laws and regulations that the members follow. Therefore, there is a hierarchy of the authority of any community. In my community the leader, who must assent to any matter, is my grandfather. He has three sons. In the event that he is not around, the eldest son, who is my uncle must consent to decisions in any serious matter. Therefore, goes from the eldest to the youngest in the community. In the case of a community of people living in the neighborhood, there are rules that the government officer deployed in the area foresees. The government agent must get a report of any problems in the community. An example is the Sherriff Social patterns Describe social patterns you might find within the group, and explain their social significance. In my community, there are various social patterns that exist. The first social pattern is the pattern created by the difference in social class. The community cuts across different social classes, whereby the richest in the neighborhood achieves honour. There is also a pattern that involves the activities of the individuals. The community is divided according to socio-economic activities. In this design, the location is divided in terms of the economic activities. There are those who work as casual laborers, and they attend to the needs of the higher class. In my community such patterns also exist. There are those relatives who are of low economic status because of some reason. They always take part in the community activities too, but they are dependent on the higher class for their survival. Such patterns are present in many communities, and it is only natural for the purposes of activities going on within the community. Those in the low economic class involve in services so that they can have a living. Conflicts Describe any conflicts within the group. Any community faces challenges. The community I come from, there is conflict in terms of favoritism of certain families. It is a community of a group of families united genealogically living in one geographical location. The eldest son’s treats his family in a way that discriminates the rest of us. He takes his children to the best colleges while we attend the local college around. This discrimination elicits hatred among the families. There is no equality. There should be equal treatment among the members, because discrimination leads to conflict that can escalate and divide people within the community. In other communities such as those living in a neighborhood, there are conflicts that erupt from time to time in their interaction. They should follow the right channels to solve such conflicts. Role of language Explain the role of language, and describe the components of nonverbal communication in the group. Communication is an important aspect of a community. Language is a tool that a community uses to communicate. It involves the use of words and symbols to pass information. Every member of a community learns the language used to communicate in a particular community. The way to learn the use of language is through education. One can also learn from the other members when they are communicating in interaction. Nonverbal form of communication involves the use symbols to pass information. Some of the forms of nonverbal communication include the following. Some posture is a way of communicating a certain message. For instance, a person who holds the chin may be sad or thinking about something. A person can nod the head to imply agreement in a conversation. People in my communities use a range of symbols as ways of passing information. Body posture can be used to indicate boredom, certain sitting positions also imply that someone is concentrating on the issue of discussion Symbols meaningful to group Describe and explain symbols that are meaningful to the group. My community believes in various symbols. The first symbol that we believe in is the national flag. That is a sign that the country is a sovereign state. The second symbol is the portrait of the President. Which is the symbol of authority of the Presidency. Other symbols that are in the community level are, the crowing of a cock is the symbol that it is morning. The community also believes that the appearance of a certain group of birds is a symbol that it is about to rain. These symbols help the farmers prepare on time for the planting season. In our religious community, we have the symbol of the cross which represents Christ. The symbols have different meanings depending on the community one comes from. Others are uniting to everyone within a community of nation. For instance, the national flag and the portrait of the President Norms, sanctions, and values Describe the norms, sanctions, and values of the social group. My community has the norms that guide the members. The first norm is the respect for the elders. Every elder must gain respect according to the norm. There is also the respect of property. This norm is against anybody who steals from one another. Another norm that exists in my community is decency in the presence of God and the elders. It prohibits everyone of indecent dressing in public. Some of the values that my community stands for is hard work. The community does not encourage laziness, it believes in hard work. The value requires everyone to be productive. The community also believes in unity among the members. Unity reminds them to be together Status within group Describe what status you hold in the group. In my community, I belong to the category of the youths. My status was elevated to a youth when I joined high school. My status is that of a young man without much experience about the community. However, I am a role model to the teenagers. Social role within group Describe the social roles you perform in the group. My role is to guide the young ones to the right direction. I still values in my younger sibling. Therefore, it requires that I be of exemplary character since I am a role model to many in the community. Children are looking up to me. I also participate in social interaction of the young and through interacting with them, they learn about the language. Sociological perspective Suggest which major sociological, theoretical perspective would be most appropriate for future study of your social group. Why? A sociological theory that would be appropriate for me is the functionalist theory. The theory talks about how the society is interconnected. They are working together to maintain the societal balance. This theory bring together that components of a community to work in harmony. The theory was developed by Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton. This theory enables the people within a community to work together, bring together the components of the society. This will ensure that individuals within the community work hard for the good of the society. Reference Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Sociology: A brief introduction (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. Read More