Social Structure

Introduction

Social structure is a term frequently used in sociology and social sciences to refer to patterned social arrangements in society that are both emergent from and determinant of the actions and interactions of the individuals. In this context, structure is an important key in understanding how individuals behave within a society and how they relate to each other.

Theoretical Perspectives

There are several theoretical perspectives through which social structures can be viewed. These perspectives provide different ways of understanding the social world and the nature of social structures.

Structural Functionalism

Structural functionalism, also known as functionalism, views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This perspective asserts that our lives are guided by social structures, which are relatively stable patterns of social behavior. Social structures give shape to our lives - for example, in families, the behavior of individuals is guided by family norms and values.

Conflict Theory

Conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion and power, a person's or group's ability to exercise influence and control over others, in producing social order. This perspective is derived from the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that is most concerned with the face-to-face interactions between members of society. Interactionists see culture as being created and maintained by the ways in which people interact and in how individuals interpret each other’s actions. It's the smallest scale of interaction that symbolic interactionism examines.

Elements of Social Structure

Social structure is often treated together with the concept of social change, which deals with the forces that change the social structure and the organization of society. The key elements of social structure include culture, social class, social status, roles, groups, and institutions.

Culture

Culture is a fundamental element of social structure. It shapes our identity and influences our behavior. Culture encompasses the beliefs, values, norms, and material goods shared by a particular group of people. It is learned and passed from one generation to the next.

Social Class

Social class refers to a group of people with similar levels of wealth, influence, and status. It is a system of stratification, a hierarchy of positions with regard to economic production which influences the social rewards to those in the positions.

Social Status

Social status is the position or rank of a person or group within the society. It can be determined by one's profession, education, wealth, or other factors. Status is an important component of social structure and brings with it certain norms, behaviors, and privileges.

Roles

A role is a set of expectations about the behavior assigned to a particular status. Individuals play multiple roles at the same time. For example, a person can be a student, employee, and a sibling all at once.

Groups

Groups are a fundamental part of social structure. They can be categorized into primary groups, such as family and friends, and secondary groups, such as colleagues or club members.

Institutions

Institutions are structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of a set of individuals within a given human collectivity. Institutions include the family, religion, peer group, economic systems, legal systems, penal systems, language, and the media.