Social Institutions

Definition of Social Institutions

Society is structured in many ways. Some of these may be distinct, while others are harder to recognize. One of the main ways in which society is structured is through social institutions.

In simpler words, social institutions are elements of society that help it to run. Sociologists see social institutions as important because they help society to function.

Each social institution is different and performs a unique function that affects society. They often have specific roles or jobs as well as other distinctive characteristics.

Characteristics of Social Institutions

Social institutions have certain distinguishing characteristics. They are groups or organizations which aim to perform specific roles in society. This means they contain distinct norms, expectations, and functions that help to maintain the ever-changing needs of society.

In most cases, different social institutions involve and affect each other so that they are constantly developing.

Fig. 1 - Social institutions perform roles in society.

Countless other social institutions perform different roles in society. Let's look at some more examples.

Examples of Social Institutions

There are many examples of what a social institution is. The most prominent institutions studied in sociology are:

• The family as an institution

• Education as an institution

• Religion as an institution

But we can also consider:

• Government as an institution

• Economy as an institution

• Population and demography as an institution

• Media and technology as an institution

• Healthcare as an institution

Each of these individual institutions is explored in detail in our other articles. In these, we examine the inequalities in each institution, variations of institutions, different theoretical perspectives on each institution, and more.

Types of Social Institutions

But for now, let's examine these types of social institutions in a little more detail below!

Social Institutions: Family

The family is one of the key social institutions, yet you may not have recognised it as one straight away. Family life may not seem very 'structured', but it often is! The family acts as a rigid social institution that supports each of its members. Sociologists consider the family as one of the main bases of society because it is where socialization happens first.

The family as a social institution meets many needs of society. The most basic functions it performs are:

• Socialization: the family is where the socialization of children primarily occurs. Families all differ structurally, but they still perform the function of socialization. This allows children and younger family members to learn the norms, values, and cultural beliefs of their society.

• Emotional care: the family provides emotional support for all of its members. This helps them to regulate their emotions to be able to do their everyday jobs and tasks, like going to work.

• Financial aid: the family also helps financially with all of its members. If one is struggling to support themselves financially, then the family unit often steps in to help. This releases pressure on other institutions like the economy and the government.

Social Institutions: Education

The education system is also a fundamental social institution in society, and perhaps one of the most obvious ones! Education is a very structured system that helps us to grow as individuals. It helps to socialize and teach younger generations what they need to know to progress in society.

Fig. 2 - Education is used to socialize, prevent crime, and pass down knowledge and skills to pupils.

Some of the basic roles that the education system takes on are:

• Socialization: it takes over the role of socialization from the family and helps to instill the dominant norms, values, and cultural beliefs into its students.

• Preventing crime: the education system helps students to understand the need to respect rules and authority. This means they are more likely to respect government laws and people in positions of authority, like the police, when they mature.

• Skills and knowledge: the school system provides individuals with skills and knowledge to progress in society. This helps people to get jobs that contribute to society.

Social Institutions: Religion

Religion is a significant social institution as it has specific beliefs and practices, unique to each society. Although, it's important to note that not everyone is religious. For those who are, however, religious groups roles often aim to provide comfort, instill morals, and socialize individuals:

• Providing comfort: religion gives comfort to its followers by having a supportive community and providing guidance in the form of religious scripture.

• Instilling morals: religion teaches moral values for individuals to follow which shapes how people perceive the world.

• Socialization: members of religious groups are socialized into the cultural beliefs of the group. This helps them to understand which norms and values are accepted.

Although social institutions are a key way in which society is structured, it's important to explore alternative ways. Institutions go hand in hand with culture and society. So let's explore them both!

Culture in Society

Culture is a huge aspect of society, and it creates many structures.

Culture is unique to each society and can be unique to each person. Culture is taken from what we experience in society, including particular traditions or beliefs. It structures society by splitting it into subcultures and teaching people norms and values.

Changing Cultures and Institutions

Just like institutions, culture changes greatly over time. For example, in American society, American values have changed as society and culture progress. Some key moments of change throughout history are:

• The American Revolution

• The French Revolution

• Industrial Revolution

• Globalization

• The Internet Age

But what changed during these times? There are many components of culture, such as material culture, nonmaterial culture, norms, values and beliefs, subcultures, and counterculture. All of these change and progress alongside society.

Components and Elements of Culture

Let's quickly define the terms above:

• Material culture - physical belongings in our daily lives, e.g., food, money, and cars.

• Nonmaterial culture - contrasting material culture, the non-tangible aspects of our lives, e.g., ideologies and beliefs.

• Norms - accepted behaviors in society that are universally shared and understood.

• Values and beliefs - joint ideas of what is understood as good and bad in society.

• Subcultures - sections of society that have specific values that differ from the majority of society.

• Countercultures - when a subculture intentionally rejects parts of the wider society.

• Language also has a profound place in culture. Individuals from the same society often speak the same language; therefore, outsiders from another culture may find it hard to belong as they communicate differently. Furthermore, language is not always spoken but can refer to symbols, numerals, written speech, and more.

We can also explore some more complex ideas relating to culture.

Cultural Universalism, Ethnocentrism, Culture Shock, and Cultural Relativity

Cultural universalism refers to the idea that the norms and traditions of various unique cultures can be viewed and judged through the standards of a 'universal' culture. Similarly, cultural universals are aspects that are present in all cultures.

Ethnocentrism was a term coined by sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906). Sumner defined ethnocentrism as how we assume our own culture is the norm and disregard others. We believe our culture is superior because we have grown up as the norm.

Culture shock is a feeling of being 'out of place' in another culture because the culture's norms are unknown to the individual. For example, traveling to a new country can seem daunting to some as they are unsure which behaviors are suitable to will make them fit in.

Cultural relativity refers to looking at a person's behavior within the context of their own culture. Behaviors which might seem odd in one culture are completely normal in another.

What is Society?

Society is perhaps one of the most common terms used in sociology. But what is society?

But society is also much more complex than this. Different types of society have existed throughout history:

Types of Society

The three commonly spoken about types of society are:

• Preindustrial society

• Industrial society

• Postindustrial society

Preindustrial society refers to the very first stages of society, such as the hunter-gatherer phase. This is when humans are very nomadic, spending most of their time foraging or hunting for food. There is also a little bit of farming at this stage. Think of how far American society has come from the stage of preindustrial society!

Industrial society refers mainly to society as it progressed through the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution was a period when huge scientific developments were made. This progressed farming and factories by using technology to power production.

Postindustrial society refers to society after the industrial revolution when the focus fell on producing information and services rather than goods or food. Postindustrial societies thrive from technological advancements such as the internet.

It's also important to explore how sociological perspectives view society.

Theoretical Perspectives on Society

We'll be looking at functionalist, Marxist, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionist views on society, as well as the social construction of reality.

Functionalist Theory on Society

The functionalist perspective sees society as working perfectly. In particular, each institution, cultural aspect, and societal phase plays specific roles that help to make society run smoothly. Functionalists believe that all aspects of society are connected.

Marxist Theory on Society

The Marxist theory, based on the work of Karl Marx, argues that society is capitalist and exploits those who don't own the means of production (the working class). Marxists believe that the working class constantly suffers from the capitalist social structure, which benefits the owners of the means of production (the ruling class).

Conflict theory on Society

Conflict theory suggests that society is in a constant state of conflict because we have a finite amount of resources in the world. Social groups, therefore, must compete for resources, and the groups in power dominate the less powerful.

Symbolic Interactionist Theory on Society

Symbolic interactionists believe that society is based on a foundation of interactions between people and the meanings assigned to them. The theory is built on the ideas of Max Weber, who argued that society is built on ideas and modern society has become rationalized in the process of industrialization.l

The Social Construction of Reality

The social construction of reality refers to the work of Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann (1966). They explored the idea of society as being based on human interaction. They believed we construct our society, and our reality, based on what others have created before us.

In addition to culture and institutions shaping social structures, we will also examine social movements and social change.

Social Movements and Social Change

Social movements and social change occur from collective behavior by individuals. Let's define these!

If the existing systems of society aren't working for the people, social movements will be organized, which can trigger social change. This can change social structures.