Selfstudy Content

# Meaning of Social Structure The word social structure was first introduced by Herbert Spencer in 1873, who  was an English philosopher, sociologist, and anthropologist. We generally  consider him to be a functionalist sociologist. Social structure refers to the organized and patterned relationships between  individuals and groups within a society, including institutions, roles, norms,  hierarchies, and relationships. Social structure refers to the complex network of social relations that exist  among the members of a given community at a particular time. The term social structure points to the fact that society is structured that is  organized or arranged in a particular ways. # Definition of Social Structure 1. According to Emile Durkheim :- “Social structure is the set of social facts that  constrain individual behavior, including institutions, norms, and values.” 2. According to MacIver :- “Social structure is the pattern of significant...

# Meaning of Social System A social system refers to a network of relationships, institutions, and structures  that shape the interactions and behaviors of individuals within a society. A social system is a complex, dynamic, and interconnected web of relationships,  norms, values, and institutions that govern human behavior and interactions. Examples of social systems include family systems, community systems,  economic systems, political systems, etc. # Definition  of Social System 1. According to Karl Marx :- "A social system is a complex of social relations,  shaped by economic and class structures, that govern human behavior and  interactions." 2. According to Max Weber :- "A social system is a network of social  relationships, influenced by power, authority, and rationalization, that shape  human action and interactions." 3. According to Robert LaPiere :- "A social system is a network of  interdependent roles, norms, and institutions t...

# Meaning of Educational Institutions The term education has been derived from the Latin word ‘educare’ which  means ‘to educate’, ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’ or ‘to elevate’. Educational institutions are organizations that provide structured learning  environments for students to acquire knowledge, skills, and values.  These institutions can be formal, such as schools, colleges, and universities or  informal, such as community centers, libraries, museums, online courses and  platforms, etc. # Definitions  of  Educational Institutions 1. According to Emile Durkheim :- "Institutions that transmit the collective  knowledge and values of society, and shape individuals into competent  members." 2. According to Max Webe r:- "Organizations that provide specialized training  and certification for social roles and positions." 3. According to Talcott Parsons :- "Institutions that socialize individuals into the  dominant culture and pre...

# Meaning of Religious Institutions Religious institutions are organized systems that promote, preserve, and  practice religious beliefs, values, and traditions. Religious institution can be defined as the belief of person in the existence of  supernatural being. Examples include churches (Christian), mosques (Islamic), temples (Hindu,  Buddhist, etc.) # Definition of Religious Institutions 1. According to Emile Durkheim :- "A unified system of beliefs and practices  relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden—beliefs  and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all  those who adhere to them." 2. According to Max Weber :- "A social organization that cultivates and  perpetuates a belief in supernatural powers, and provides a sense of  community and belonging for its members." 3. According to Peter Berger :- "Institutions that provide a sacred canopy, a  sense of meaning and purpose...

# Meaning of Political Institutions Political institutions, also known as government, refer to the systems of power  and authority that distribute and exercise power to maintain social order. Political institution refers to a system of established social structures, norms, and  organizations that shape the distribution and exercise of power within a society. Modern governments consist of various political institutions, including heads of  state, legislatures, and political parties. ➢ Two concepts are especially critical to understanding the concept of political  institutions are Power and Authority (1) Concept of Power :- Power refers to the ability to influence or control  outcomes, decisions, or behaviors. It has the capacity to shape policy, allocate  resources, or enforce decisions. Power can manifest in three forms: coercive  (force, violence), persuasive (influence, negotiation), or institutional (legitimate  authority). (2) Concept of Autho...

# Meaning of Economic Institutions Economic institutions refer to the social structures, organizations, and rules that  shape economic activity and influence the behavior of individuals and groups  within an economy. Economic institutions comprise networks of organizations that govern the  production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. # Definition of Economic Institutions 1. According to Emile Durkheim :- "Economic institutions are the collective  representations and norms that govern economic life, including the moral and  social rules that regulate economic behavior." 2. According to Max Weber :- "Economic institutions are the rational and  irrational elements that shape economic action, including the role of interests,  values, and power in economic decision-making." 3. According to George Herbert Mead :- "Economic institutions are the social  structures and processes that shape economic behavior, including the ways in...

# Meaning of Kinship Kinship refers to the relationships among individuals who are related by blood,  marriage, or adoption. It describes the bonds and connections between family  members, extended family, and clan members.  Kinship is the web of relationships among individuals who are connected by  blood (biological ties), marriage (affinal ties), adoption (adoptive ties) and social  or spiritual bonds (fictive ties). # Definition of Kinship 1. According to D.N. Majumder :- "Kinship is a network of social relationships  that arises from the interactions and interdependencies of individuals who are  related by blood, marriage, or adoption.” 2. According to Anthony Giddens :- "Kinship refers to the social relationships  and connections that exist between individuals who are related by descent,  marriage, or adoption.” 3. According to Emile Durkheim :- "A system of social relationships based on  descent, marriage, and adoption, which de...

# Meaning of Family The term family comes from Latin word 'famulus' which means 'servant'. Family refers to a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption who share a common bond, history, and emotional connection. # Definition of Family  1. According to MacIver :- "A group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, who live together in a common household, cooperate economically, and share a common culture and tradition." 2. According to Burgess :- "A unity of interacting personalities, bound together by ties of affection, mutual support, and cooperation." 3. According to George Peter Murdock :- "A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction." 4. According to Talcott Parsons :- "A kinship group that is characterized by a unique combination of affective, economic, and reproductive functions.“ 5. According to Michael Anderson :- "A network of kin and non-kin...

  # Meaning of Marriage Marriage is a socially and legally recognized union between two individuals, typically involving a commitment to share their lives, resources, and responsibilities. Marriage is a complex institution that encompasses emotional, financial, and social aspects. Marriage is an institution to satisfy physical, psychological, social, cultural, and economic needs of men and women. Marriage has been defined as an institution for admitting individuals into family life, legitimating offspring, and establishing other rights and obligations of partners, spouses, and children. # Definition of Marriage 1. According to Emile Durkheim :- "A union between two individuals that is socially recognized and sanctioned, and that establishes a new social entity, the family." 2. According to Talcott Parsons :- "A socially sanctioned and institutionalized relationship between two individuals that involves a commitment to mutual support, cooperation, and sharing of resourc...

  # Meaning of Social Institutions Social institutions can be defined as social structures that are created, organized, or established by members of society in order to satisfy their own needs. Social institutions are the foundations of society, shaping individual behavior, social relationships and collective outcomes. They provide a framework for social life, promoting order, stability, and cooperation. Institution can be defined as a social structure having a set of rules that are created to control human behavior. The major social institutions in society are family, education, religion, economy, and political institutions. # Definition of Social Institutions 1. According to Emile Durkheim :- "A social institution is a group of individuals who are united by a common purpose and who share a common culture." 2. According to Max Weber : - "A social institution is a complex of social norms and relationships that are relatively stable and enduring." 3. According to Kar...

# Meaning of Social Groups A social group consists of two or more people who regularly interact based on mutual expectations and share a common identity. A social group may be defined as an aggregate of people who are interrelated and share a common identity, a sense of unity, and certain goals. For example:- A family living in a home, a group of employees working in the same organization, a group of classmates, a group of members of a meeting and so on. # Definition of Social Groups 1.  According to Johnson :- “A social group is a system of social interaction.” 2.  According to Ogburn and Nimkoff :- “Whenever two or more individuals come together and influence one another, they may be said to be constitute a social group.” 3.  According to MacIver :- “Any collection of social beings who enter into distinctive social relationships with one another.” 4.  According to Bogardus :- “Social group as number of persons, two or more, who have common objects of att...