Social Institutions, Schemes and Mind Maps of Sociology

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Social Institutions

MA FINAL

Institution Dictionary meaning

• Institution = established practice :
• an established law, custom, or practice Penguin Dictionary of Sociology
• The term is widely used to describe social practices that are regularly and continuously repeated, are sanctioned and maintained by social norms, and have a major significance in the social structure.
• Like role, the term refers to established patterns of behaviour, but institution is regarded as a higher-order, more general unit that incorporates a plurality of roles. Established: قائم، قاعدہ

ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL INSTITUTION

• A group of people
• United by common interest
• Having material resources
• Having norms
• Fulfill some social need.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL

INSTITUTIONS

• Social institutions are universal.
• They vary from time to time and across cultures, in terms of complexity, specialization, scope, formality and organization. But their basic nature and purpose are similar everywhere.
• Social institutions are resistant to change; they tend to persist.

THE FAMILY

• The family is generally regarded as a primary social institution.
• The institution of family is a basic unit in the society, and the multifaceted functions performed by it makes it a much-needed institution in a society.
• It is one of the oldest social institution on the earth. Although families differ widely around the world, they also share certain common concerns in their everyday lives.

EDUCATION

• Educational institution is responsible for the systematic transmission of knowledge, skills and cultural values within a formally organized structure.
• It is one of the most influential institutions in contemporary societies. Every nation in the world is equipped with some form of education system, though those systems vary greatly.

RELIGION

• Religion is a social institution composed of a unifi ed system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals— based on some sacred or supernatural realm— that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a community. For many people,
• religious beliefs provide the answers for seemingly unanswerable questions about the meaning of life and death.
• Religion is a system of faith and worship.

• Political institution is the distribution system of power and authority which is used to maintain social order.
• Politics is the social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups.

POLITICAL INSTITUTION

Characteristics of Social Institutions

• Institutions are interrelated: Institutions, though diverse, are interrelated and interdependent. These are connected through statuses and roles of the individuals.
• Relatively permanent: Many institutions are rigid and enduring. Institutions normally do not undergo sudden or rapid changes. Changes take place slowly and gradually in them.
• Therefore institutions are the great conservers and transmitters of cultural heritage.

Characteristics of Social Institutions

• Use Symbols to distinguish : Institutions have cultural symbols. The symbols may be either material or non-material. A country has a flag, an emblem, a national anthem as its symbol. A school may have its own flag, uniform dress etc.
• Possess material objects: The institutions being group of people have national resources and material objects. The buildings, furniture, books and other objects are part of social life are a part of institutions.