1. How do ascribed and achieve statuses serve to identify who a person is in a culture?

What are
reference groups? How are reference groups experienced in society?
Ascribed status is an assigned status given by society and this type of status is usually given at
birth. An ascribed status can be gender, such as male or female, sister or brother and also race or
ethnicity. An achieved status is a social position in which the individual worked for or earned.
This type of status can a anything from a doctor, lawyer, friend, or student. An achieved status
can also be negative, for example a prisoner.
A status, whether ascribed or achieved, help identify the social role an individual has in a
culture. A reference group is group of individuals who have the same beliefs or interest and use
these similarities to justify their behavior. Us humans are social beings and we desire to have
approval and inclusion from others. Reference groups are experienced in two different functions,
normative function and comparison function.
(Vanessa Solorzano)
2. What is a social role (give examples)? How does one violate his or her role? What is meant by
role exit? And how does role exit relate to the socialization process? Distinguish between
primary and secondary groups (give examples).
A social role consists of certain behaviors and actions that are expected of a person based on
what social status they fall into. One such example is that a doctor should be able to know how to
administer treatments and know what diagnosis to give patients. Another example could be a
cook knowing how to prepare a meal. One violates their role when they do not uphold the
expectations given to their social role.
A role exit describes the process of disassociating oneself from a social role that was once a core
part of ones identity in order to take on a new social role. Seeing as the socialization process
involves the leaning of new behaviors, a role exit can relate to this in that someone is learning to
give up their previous role and learning the behaviors needed for the new role they will take on.
A primary group is a small and intimate group who has very close interaction who cooperate
often. An example of this could be either a small friend group or a family. A secondary group is
essentially the opposite of a primary group in that it is a large detached group with little intimacy
and do not necessarily have coinciding beliefs. An example of this is a sports team or employees
working under a large corporation. (Maria Orozco)
3. What is meant by in-group and out-group? How is in-group connected to primary group? How
is out group connected to secondary group?
People join a group which makes them feel the sense of belonging, reach some agreements
easily, or have the same goals, which is regarded as in-groups. Every group member has similar
interests or communicate and coordinate with each other easily due to common topics as well.

The primary groups which express relatively small groups and people in groups interact each
other frequently, such as families and neighborhood. In-groups are connected to the primary
group, since people in both kinds of groups have closer relationship and can communicate and
understand each other well. Otherwise, people in out-groups do not mind whether everyone has
to stand together and pay more attention on their own goals or achievements. Group members
usually give different opinions, have different interests and their individual goals and the kind of
relationship leads to competition. Secondary groups, which are defined as relatively large groups,
such as schools or unions, are established by achieving social purposes, like education. Group
members do not have close relationship and/or lack face-to-face communication and they might
not share interests or their own stories. When compared to the out-groups to the secondary
groups, they have the similar features. Both of them have less interaction and do not have the
common goal that everyone should make great efforts for. This is how out-groups are connected
to secondary groups. Additionally, beating the opposite team and winning the games should be
the common goal of all people in a certain team and everyone is willing to help each other, focus
on cooperation and unity, which can be understood by the type of in-groups. If someone in the
same team only wants to show their advantages, do not help others, do not have common topics
with others or grab others chances to attend matches, the teams type changes to out-groups.
(Mingxi Zhong)
4. What are the five functional prerequisites that a society must satisfy if it is to survive?
Describe the differences between organic and mechanical solidarity.
The five functional prerequisites that a society that must be satisfied in order to continue, is by
replacing it members (so that cycle can proceed), socialization, productions (as well as
distribution), preserving order and finally purpose. Having a sense of purpose can make or break
many things such as businesses, education, laws and society. (Vanessa Solorzano)
Replacing members expresses the population declines naturally due to illness and old ages, so
people who live in society will change continuously. The number of population will be controlled
almost unchanged in order to keep the society that operates normally. Besides, socialization
means people who are born this world need to socialize and interact with others. Otherwise they
will break social rules, behave improperly or bring troubles, and harmonious environment cannot
be kept. Education, religions or other welfare institutions can help people to connect with
society. The last generation let the youth fit into the society according to passing behavioral
rules, responsibilities and sharing experiences better. Moreover, people need products that are
produced and services are offered to satisfy their needs. Meanwhile, goods and services need to
spread through the commercial institutions. The next one is preserving order, which means stable
society requires power to keep order under any situations and avoiding internal chaos and
defending external attacks is what police officers and armies usually do. Additionally, purpose
represents people do not only care about their own benefits, but someone also has to sacrifice or
restraint themselves in order to achieve common social goals. Like people join the army and give

up families during the period of the war, as they chase a common purpose that keeping peace
society. (Mingxi Zhong)
Organic solidarity involves a sense of togetherness that is built on a mutual dependence upon one
another within the division of labor. Mechanical solidarity is another sense of togetherness built
upon shared knowledge, experience, and other expertise where things function in the same
manner for a long time. The difference between these two solidarities lies within the
interdependence between one another in order to function. (Maria Orozco)