Sociological Group Matrix Essay

Words: 1673
Pages: 7

University of Phoenix Material Melanie Deutsch * August 20, 2012

Sociological Group Matrix

Schaefer (2011) 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. The group I chose is my place of employment – Little School House of Altoona (preschool/child care facility). This business is owned by a husband and wife. The husband is considered the owner, business manager, cook, and
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The yellow room is near the kitchen so they make sure dishes are in dishwasher and put away when clean. Also, the teacher retrieves snack and places it in a basket and gives it to the other teachers, because they are centrally located. The green room is near the staff (and guest) bathroom and entry way, so they make sure this is presentable to parents throughout the day.

Symbols meaningful to group

Describe and explain symbols that are meaningful to the group. We have a cell phone we use at the center for incoming calls. The children are pretty good about if the phone rings to be quite while the teacher is on the phone. If the caller needs to talk to a certain teacher, the teacher will look at the other teacher and hand them the phone. Usually, a parent is returning a call. We also use hand gestures if we want someone to come close - wiggle our finger towards us or we wave. Another thing I do to get someone’s attention is clap three times – loud. Or turn off the lights in the room.

Other symbols would include the cross on a box means the first aid kit. Mr. Yuk face on a bag means soiled clothes.
Norms, sanctions, and values

Describe the norms, sanctions, and values of the social group. Each classroom has a daily schedule to follow. For instance, meals and snack times, bathroom, circle time, stories and music, and outside or large motor times, to name a few. This way each teacher knows when the other class is doing something, so we are not