SOCIOL 41 Lecture Notes - Lecture 74: Arthur Schuster
Document Summary
Status characteristics influence performance expectations when group members: Have no special experience or information about the group"s task. Status generalization can work to disadvantage both individuals and the group. People often treat diffuse status characteristics as relevant indicators of performance expectations. Status generalization can be overcome provided that the expectations of both low- status and high-status persons are modified simultaneously. Supplying group members with information that contradicts performance expectations inferred from a diffuse status characteristic is a key to reducing status generalizations. A norm is a rule or standard that specifies how group members are expected to behave under given circumstances. Most groups develop a variety of norms that regulate the activities of their. Norms serve a number of important functions for groups. Norms foster coordination among members in pursuit of group goals. Norms provide a cognitive frame of reference through which group members interpret and judge their environment. Norms define and enhance the common identity of group members.
